Page 110 of See You Maybe
Time for Plan B.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Atlanta—Present Day
Brady gave her another smile as he released her hand. Olivia was positive that grin had gotten more than a few women to do whatever the handsome man wanted. But all Olivia cared about was the angry energy rolling off Declan—and how satisfying she found his jealousy.
Olivia closed Declan’s office door behind her and pivoted to find Fiona raging at Declan’s assistant. “I’ve been waiting because of her?” Fiona’s long nail stabbed in Olivia’s direction.
Todd’s expression was blank. “Ms. Adler is the CFO of Armstrong Electronics. These are normal business hours.”
Olivia bit the inside of her cheek to hide her smile at the not-so-subtle jab. By the angry growl, Fiona hadn’t missed it either.
“You should be careful how you talk to me.” She drew herself up to her full height. Olivia admitted the woman was an impressive sight. High heels and a short Chanel suit screamed privilege, but Todd was unfazed.
“I apologize if I said something to upset you.”
“Once I’m Mrs. Bloom, I promise you will be the first thing I get rid of,” the woman hissed.
Olivia attempted to slip from the office in order to avoid a confrontation, but Fiona’s words about being Declan’s wife made her stumble. Fiona stepped in front of Olivia, blocking her exit.
Olivia swallowed a groan and squeezed her fingers so tightly into her palms they stung.
You are at work. Don’t let her get to you.
Olivia coolly met Fiona’s eyes.
“You think he’s interested in you, don’t you?” Fiona sneered.
Olivia lifted one eyebrow. “I think Mr. Bloom is interested in my stewardship of this company.”
“You’re not the first, you know.” Fiona stepped close enough to fill Olivia’s nose with her heavy perfume.
Olivia decided to play dumb to defuse the situation, all too conscious of Todd seated inches away, and of the thin walls of their offices. For years, she had feared her coworkers would hear the things Kyle said to her.
“You think because he’s fucking you, it means he cares.” Todd made a choking noise, but Olivia held her ground, refusing to look away. “He is going to be my husband. I will be Mrs. Declan Bloom. I will live in his home, sleep in his bed, wear the jewels he buys me, and be at the absolute top of society. You are a nobody whore,” she hissed. “Declan will forget about you all over again.”
“Ms. Carrol.” Todd attempted to intervene.
“Shut up. Don’t you dare speak to me in that tone.” The woman’s eyes flared. “With his ring on my finger, I will get the respect I deserve. From you…” She speared Todd with a glare. “And from his clingy siblings.”
Olivia’s temper ticked up even while her brain told her the woman had said something important. Something she needed to pay attention to.
Fiona grabbed Olivia’s arm, her long nails making crescents in her skin. “I know all about you. I see what you’re doing. Panting after Declan like you’re in heat.” Fiona’s face turned red, and from the corner of her eye, Olivia saw Todd stand. “You fucked him in Inferno’s bathroom, didn’t you?”
Olivia’s cheeks heated.
Fiona’s lip curled. “Play the whore for him. It wouldn’t be the first time you did it to get a job. Kyle told me all about how you pursued him to get a promotion here. He doesn’t want you anymore, and soon Declan won’t either.”
Olivia looked at the woman’s left hand wrapped around her forearm. “That might be true, but I don’t see a ring on your finger. Sounds like you are getting ahead of yourself.”
Fiona gasped and thrust her face close enough that Olivia could pick out the almost nonexistent pores on the woman’s face. “Stay away from him, or I will make you sorry.”
“That’s going to be hard, considering we work so closely together.” Olivia gave the woman a stiff smile. “Speaking of, I have more important things to do than listen to your tantrum. Though it’s been… entertaining.”
Fiona spluttered, and Olivia stepped around her.
When Olivia reached her office, she propped her elbows on the desk and breathed deeply for a minute, wishing the socialite’s words hadn’t stuck with her.