Page 51 of Outlier
“Ollie, you don’t have to worry about when Mike decides he’s had enough of me,” Vicky said.
Everyone’s shocked gazes flew to her.
“I promise, I’m anticipating that, and I will endeavour not to be an emotional burden to you, Lottie, or Margot when that happens.”
“What do you—?” I began in disbelief, but Ollie interrupted.
“A burden?” Ollie was frowning at Vicky. “Vics, when have I ever told you you’re a burden?”
“Isn’t that why you’re concerned about my relationship with Mike? I do understand that you are a very busy man. I wouldn’t impose my distress on you.” She turned to Felix. “And my work performance won’t be affected. Actually, when I’m unhappy, I tend to bemoreproductive. So you don’t need to threaten Mike either.”
“Vicky,” Ollie said in a low, warning tone. “Are you telling us that you believe I only care how Mike treats you because I’m worried you might become a burden?”
“And thatIonly care in case your bloody productivity goes down?” Felix put in.
Vicky frowned then turned to Lottie. “I’m sorry, is this one of the times I shouldn’t tell the truth?”
“No, honey,” Lottie said softly. “If it’syourtruth, then I think we need to hear it.”
“You’re my sister,” Ollie said, slamming his hand down on the table in frustration, causing Vicky to jump in her seat.
“Calm it down, Harding,” I snarled as I felt Vicky tremble.
“Half-sister,” she whispered.
“And stop with all this half-sister, half-brother bullshit. What difference does it make?” Ollie said in frustration.
“Hold on,” Lottie said. “Vics, are we friends? You and me?”
“Is this one of the times when I?—?”
“No, I want to hear what you think. It’s not a time for a lie.”
“Then, no. We’re not friends, in the traditional sense of the word. I like you very much, and you are very kind to me.Verykind. I appreciate that. But you work for me, and you’re my half-brother’s girlfriend.” She shrugged. “You don’t really have a choice.”
Lottie’s face was turning red as she scowled at Vicky.
Ollie, clearly sensing she was about to blow, put his hand on her arm, but he was too late. Lottie shot out of her chair.
“You…” She pointed to Vicky. “Are one of thebestfriends I’ve ever had. I love you, you ridiculous woman. I love the way you make me laugh every day. I love the way your beautiful, complicated mind works, I love how generous you are, how kind, how much you care about people, even when they can’t or won’t try to understand you. So don’t youdaretell me we’re not friends!” Lottie was shouting by the end of her rant, and then she collapsed back into her chair.
Hayley signed something at her, and she snapped, “No, I will not calm down. It’s okay for you. Vickybelievesthat you’re her friend.”
“And please stop with the half-brother stuff,” Ollie said stiffly. “We love you. This big idiot is going to treat you well, or we’ll break his fucking legs, and that’s that.”
Vicky was tense in my arms now, and I didn’t like it. “Right, enough with all the shouting and carrying on, you lot,” I warned. “Let Vicky eat her food, for God’s sake.”
“I love you too,” Vicky whispered to Lottie, her voice a little shaky.
“I know you do, hun,” Lottie said softly. “No more of this burden stuff, okay?”
Vicky looked down at the table but nodded in a short movement.
The rest of the evening was surprisingly drama-free. Felix and Lottie recounted the complete evisceration Vicky delivered to an unsuspecting group of lawyers representing a big fish investor earlier in the day. They started the meeting totally underestimating her and having no idea she’d done a deep dive into their financials for the last decade.
“It was beautiful,” Lottie said. “I love it when I can just let you run. Honestly, those bastards deserved it.”
Lottie could tell when people were lying; as a team, Lottie and Vicky rarely made a wrong move.
