Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Taking an empty chair at the table, Sage looked around the restaurant curiously as Nancy handed her a menu, giving her a smile, which made fear run down her back.
“I’m glad Livvy was able to convince you to join us.”
Nancy’s friendly greeting heightened her trepidation. Glancing around the table, she felt her hands go clammy. Whatever the plan was, all three women were in on it together.
“Livvy kind of took the option out of my hand.”
Livvy, who was scanning the menu, didn’t look up. Nancy and Susan both laughed, assuming she was joking. She wasn’t.
Susan leaned forward as if she were about to share a secret. “Anytime we have a client who is determined to talk to their lawyer, I switch them to Livvy. Makes my day brighter just listening to how she handles them.”
“She missed her calling.” Susan was squeezing lemon into her water. The disrespectful way she talked about Livvy grated on Sage’s nerves, whether she was there or not. “Livvy should be on the top floor, making the big money.”
Sage listened absently, trying not to gape at the prices on the menu and gag at what Susan was saying at the same time.
Livvy laid her menu down. “Don’t tell anyone, but there is a promotion in the works. Bree told me yesterday. I’m just waiting for Mr. Hollingsworth to sign off on it.”
Nancy gave Livvy an envious look. “Lucky girl. Is there any chance I could take your job once your promotion comes through?”
“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 him very happy, 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’t work, 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.