Page 107 of Hidden Ties

“What did he say?” she asked curiously.

“He didn’t answer,” Bree replied shortly.

“Then I guess, as it’s his firm, he doesn’t need your approval, does he?”

“No, he doesn’t.” Her lips thinned further. “I do think it’s fair to give you a heads-up …”

Sage braced herself for what Bree was about to say. From the malicious look on her face, she wanted to hurt her.

“Mr. Hollingsworth may be giving you the job, but you’re still going to be answering to me.”

If she could stick up for herself against Livvy, she could deal with anything Bree dished out. While she wanted the job, it didn’t have the power to hurt her. Only three people held that power. And Bree wasn’t one of them; neither was Livvy. Both women could go fuck themselves.

THIRTEEN

Rather than focus on Bree’s resentment of her getting the job, she left the office practically walking on cloud nine. When she walked out the front door of the high-rise office building, she came to an abrupt stop. She had forgotten to ask how much money her new job would pay.

Tempted to go back inside to ask Bree, she found herself jostled from behind. When she lurched forward, she felt a hard arm slide around her waist, holding her steady.

“Excuse me,” a male voice said, which sent tendrils of desire down her spine. She half turned to see Kent Bryant behind her. “I didn’t expect you to come to a full stop.”

A heated flush filled her face as she stared into his memorizing blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I remembered something I forgot.”

Kent released her from his hold, thankfully giving her some breathing room. The effect this man had on her was nerve-racking. How did this man have this weird effect on her each time he was around her? Maybe because she always managed to make herself look like an idiot in front of him.

She felt the redness in her face flame higher at the memory of the last time she had seen him.

“I would have been able to stop in time if I wasn’t trying to catch up with you.”

Unable to meet his gaze as she kept thinking of him seeing her topless, she started inching to the side, in the direction of the parking garage, until it dawned on her what he was saying.

“Why were you trying to catch up to me?”

“Garrett told me he hired you to be the new record chief. I wanted to congratulate you.”

“Thank you.”

That he didn’t recognize her sent a surge of relief through her. Unconsciously, her tenseness eased, allowing a joyful smile to spread on her face.

“I’m going to miss Glenda, but she says you’re perfect for the job.”

“I’m going to miss her, too,” she stated, looking at him closely. She thought she was the only one who got along with Glenda. That he was going to miss her, too, showed he hadn’t been taken in by her unapproachable demeanor. “I think we’ll be the only two.”

Kent’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I have to admit she took some getting used to, but I couldn’t fault her for being standoffish.” He nodded toward the building behind them. “Everyone in there has probably tried to take advantage of her at one time or another in the position she holds.”

Sage grimaced; she had the same thoughts. Glenda would rather be hated versus having twenty friends constantly asking for favors.

“I think so, too.”

“I was on my way to grab a bite to eat,” he began. “I’ve been stuck in a meeting all morning, then had to answer some emails. How about I buy you a drink to celebrate?”

Thinking he was about to excuse himself to leave, she was surprised at the invitation. She prepared to refuse but found herself accepting instead.

“I’d like that.”

Had she lost her ever-loving mind?

She was about to change her answer and opened her dumbstruck mouth, only to find it closing again at his happy expression.