Page 82 of Hidden Ties

“There was probably a problem with one of the cases Mr. Bryant is working on,” she spoke up, drawing Livvy’s intent scrutiny to her instead of Susan.

Wanting to kick herself as soon as the words came out of her mouth, Sage tried not to flinch at Livvy’s gaze on her. Why hadn’t she kept her big mouth closed? Why should she feel sorry for Susan? Neither Susan nor Nancy would take the time to pull the fire alarm if she burst into a flaming ball of fire.

“How do you know?” Livvy asked silkily.

“I don’t.” She shrugged. “It makes sense, though, doesn’t it?”

“I suppose so. It’s not like you’re on speaking terms with Kent. Are you?”

The first act of survival was not to look away when a predator has you in their sight. Sage held Livvy’s gaze.

“I’ve never spoken to Mr. Bryant,” she told Livvy truthfully. “Since I started working at Hollingsworth and Partners, he’s only been in his office for eight days total.”

Livvy’s expression didn’t lighten. “You know exactly how many days Kent has been in the office in the last three months?”

Sage kept her gaze steady. “Susan isn’t the only one who works reception at the front when Brian takes a break. When Mr. Bryant is out of the office, I have to forward his calls. It’s a nightmare to get any of the partners to take his calls when he’s gone. Those days are hard to forget.”

Susan’s laughter had everyone’s eyes turning toward her.

“Sage isn’t joking. I don’t know why Brian hasn’t quit. The worst part of my day is having to cover reception in the morning. That’s why I begged Bree to get someone else to do it in the afternoon.”

Their order arriving gave them something else to focus on rather than Kent Bryant. From the possessive way Livvy was acting, Sage planned to stay far away from him as much as possible. How hard could it be? She wouldn’t recognize him if he was standing right in front of her. He hadn’t crossed her path since she had started work at Hollingsworth, and now she hoped he never would.

Picking up her knife, she sliced the large sandwich in half, leaving the fries untouched. She did allow herself to eat the cup of soup. And as she ate, she noticed the other women had chosen more expensive meals. Livvy and Susan had chosen steak and potatoes, and Nancy had ordered ribs. Each of their meals were double the price of hers.

When the waitress returned to check in on them, Sage asked for a to-go box while the other three women ordered desserts.

“It’s Nancy’s birthday.” Livvy watched as she boxed up her leftovers in revulsion. “You should join us.”

“Eating sweets makes me sleepy. I’d be miserable for the rest of the day.”

“In that case, I’ll let it slide this time.”

Biting back the comment she wanted to make, Sage set the takeout box to the side, giving Livvy an unperturbed smile, all the while her gut churned at the desire to tell her exactly what she thought of her. She wasn’t a coward, nor was she afraid of confrontation, but she didn’t want to lose this job. Livvy was her supervisor, and her ninety-day evaluation was coming up. Depending on her recommendation at the end of this week, her probation period would be over, and she could be reassignedback to the temp agency, which had contracted her for the ninety days.

She was tired of being jostled from one work environment to another, not to mention the benefits being employed full-time would give.

Just four more days, she told herself.Just four more days… she repeated as she watched them eat their cake.

Forcing her eyes away from the scrumptious-looking dessert, she occupied herself by sipping on her water. Desserts were her weakness, but they’d been scraped from her budget out of necessity.

Livvy placed her fork down on her empty dessert plate. “Everyone finished?”

Nodding, Sage reached for her purse, preparing to pull her emergency cash out of her wallet as Susan motioned for the waitress.

“We’re ready for the bill.”

The waitress removed a black ticket holder from her apron, shuffling through several tickets before handing one to Susan’s waiting hand. She then handed it to Livvy. Expectantly, Sage waited for Livvy to give her total for her part of the bill.

Laying the ticket on the table, Livvy looked around the table before her gaze landed on her. “I seem to have forgotten my purse in the rush to get you to come with us.” Giving her an exasperated look, Livvy switched her gaze to Susan and Nancy.

“Don’t look at me.” Susan shook her head helplessly. “I don’t have any cash on me, and my cards are maxed out to the limit. I told you I’d have to pay you back when we get paid.”

Nancy seemed just as lost. “I didn’t bring my purse, either. You told me lunch was your treat because it’s my birthday.”

Livvy’s gaze returned to her. “It was supposed to be … until Sage made me forget my purse.”

Wanting to hide under the table, Sage didn’t know how to react with the three women giving her accusing looks for spoiling their lunch.