Page 81 of Hidden Ties

“I don’t see why not. I’ll speak to Bree when I receive the promotion formally,” Livvy said, as if it were a done deal.

Tearing the top off a sugar packet, Susan appeared downcast at Livvy’s quick answer. “Why should you get Livvy’s job? I’ve worked there longer than either of you.” Her gaze swung to Livvy’s. “I guess Mr. Hollingsworth isn’t as happy with my work as he is with yours.”

Sage wished she were anywhere else other than at the table with the three women who were supposedly friends.

“And … Kent Bryant.” Susan dug her grave deeper. “I hear you’re making himveryhappy, too. Must be nice to be so popular.”

Sage looked up from the menu to see Livvy sending Susan a venomous glare.

“What have you heard?” Livvy asked silkily.

Goose bumps broke out on Sage’s arms. She wanted to push her chair farther away from Susan’s to be out of striking range. Sage sat still, however, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

“I was only joking.” Susan’s skin went ashen.

Livvy’s expression was stone cold. “Am I laughing?”

“N-no,” Susan answered whisper-softly, fear lacing her voice.

“Then I wouldn’t joke about something you know nothing about.”

Susan bowed her head to stare down at her menu. “I won’t.”

“Good.”

Sage focused on the menu, not wanting Livvy’s wrath brought down on her. She’d had enough problems dodging Livvy’s bite without putting herself within striking range.

The only good outcome of this tense lunch was finding out Kent Bryant was a topic not to be brought up around Livvy. Kent was one of the newer lawyers in the firm. He had been given an office on the top floor, which had shocked everyone in the firm. There was only one other lawyer on the top floor, and that was the owner of the firm, Garrett Hollingsworth. There was another occupant on that floor, but he wasn’t a lawyer. Desmond Beck was a billionaire philanthropist who kept his own personal staff.

Were Kent and Livvy involved? If so, they must be keeping it on the down-low, because she hadn’t heard a smidge of rumor about them. On the other hand, she wouldn’t have. She had kept to herself as much as possible, and when she was forced to interact with her colleagues, which was as little as possible, she steered clear of workplace drama, keeping to the topic of work if anyone stopped by to chat.

A waitress broke the tense silence to take their order. Letting everyone at the table give their order before giving hers, Sage was forced herself to order the cheapest meal on the menu instead of making an excuse to beat a hasty retreat. It wouldn’twork, anyway; Livvy wouldn’t let herself be thwarted. The plan that Livvy had in store for her would just be carried out another way. At least what was about to go down would happen in the restaurant and not at work. She couldn’t afford to lose her job. Her finances were perilously balanced, so losing her job would have a toppling effect, sending her into a tailspin. She already didn’t expect to see daylight anytime soon.

“I’ll take the cup of potato soup,” she said, lowering her menu.

Livvy took the menu away and handed it to the waitress. “Also, give her the rib-eye sandwich and fries.”

Sage’s throat constricted, halting the words of rebuttal. Was twenty dollars worth arguing about? As tight as her funds were, yes. But was it worth keeping Livvy from placing a target on her back? Definitely.

“What would you like to drink?”

The waitress glanced toward Livvy instead of her.

“I’m just going to stay with the water.” Words tumbled out of her mouth despite the tight constriction of her throat. She wasn’t going to pay seven dollars for a soda, or an iced tea.

Thankfully, Livvy remained silent.

Squeezing lemon in to her water glass, she studied the other occupants of the restaurant, wishing they had already eaten and were back at the office. Feeling nervous, she felt the gazes of the women intermittently on her. Were they like her, waiting for the ax to fall?

When she returned her focus to their conversation, she heard Susan ask if any of them had seen Kent Bryant coming in this morning.

“He’s back?” Nancy asked, giving Livvy a cautious look.

Susan nodded. “I saw him heading to the elevator while I was working the front desk.”

“He was only gone a couple of weeks this time,” Susan went on. “He’s normally gone much longer. Wonder why he’s back so soon.”

Sage swallowed nervously at the way Livvy was staring at Susan. Had the woman lost her mind? Livvy didn’t like Susan paying attention to Kent’s actions. Why was Susan digging her hand back in the hot coals?

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