Page 31 of All the Right Words
‘I know you can do it. And I’ve got this shit storm on my hands to deal with trying to figure out how not to sack Vincent but somehow stop him from burning this company to the ground,’ she explained. ‘I’ve got so much on my shoulders right now. I know you can help.’ With that, she was gone.
Gina looked at the phone. The lock was already off. Olivia knew she would get a yes before she’d even asked.
Gina opened the text app and found Harper's last message. It was pretty impersonal.
I got in fine, thank you. Goodnight.
Gina rolled her eyes at herself as she began to type. She couldn’t believe she was doing this. She also couldn’t believe she couldn’t believe it. Ofcoursethis was the next stage.
She started to put together a perfectly normal, dull opener and then deleted it. She wasn’t herself. She didn’t have to play it safe. Olivia had asked her to be engaging, flirtatious, and interesting. Gina didn’t precisely know if all that was really in her. But she wasn’t speaking for herself, so she could just write the first thing she thought of.
Twenty
When Olivia’s text came up on Harper’s phone the following day as she was in the back of a cab on the way to meet Brenda at her house, she still felt uncertain about its sender.
But she opened the text immediately, on the basis that the preview was an eye grabber.
Hey Siri, how do I start a text conversation with the most gorgeous woman I've ever met?
She opened the thread to see a second message pop up a second later.
Oh no, what a dreadful mistake to have made. This was supposed to be between Siri and me. Damn her. But anyway, since I’ve got you…
Harper laughed and started to type back before she even knew what she was doing.
Well, good morning to you too.
Sorry for the silliness. How’s tricks?
How’s tricks? Olivia was feeling casual today. Even on the date, there had been an air of formality. Olivia thought that was just how she was. But she sounded different. Was this just a layer down?
Tricks are tricky,she replied.On my way to Brenda to check up on her. She’s bound to have smoke coming out of her ears as usual. Did Gina say how yesterday went? Brenda didn’t give any details.
Gina just said that Brenda was relatively happy and productive when she left her.
I’ve seen her be the second thing but never the first. Gina must be a miracle worker. You should hold on to her.
The back and forth had been zippy, but Gina dropped off for a minute, and Harper thought she’d gotten busy. But then she replied.
I’d be interested to see what Brenda’s review is.
You and me both.
The cab pulled up at Brenda’s, and Harper paid and thanked the driver, jumping out. She went to do a quick one-two knock, but the door was flung open between the first and second, and Brenda was there, grinning ear to ear. It was unnerving.
‘Harper! Great to see you. I’m on a hot streak, so I don’t have time to talk now. I was going to text you, but the muse had me in its grip!’ And she slammed the door in Harper’s face.
Harper stood there for a moment in utter shock. Then she realised that she could grab the cab she’d just gotten out of if she moved quickly. It was already pulling out, so she had to hot foot it. ‘Sir!!’ she cried, flagging him from the rear. He stopped and she jumped back in, feeling free. She never looked forward to a Brenda meeting, and fate had released her. Brenda was all sunshine and clacking keys. No hand-holding needed.
She texted Olivia.
You’re not going to believe this, but Gina undersold Brenda’s cheeriness.
Did she?
Brenda’s euphoric. I haven’t seen her like this since she got divorced. I forgot she knew how to smile.
That’s got to be a good sign for the book.
