Hearts in the City Read online

  “You really think so?”

  “Oh, honey, I know so. Show a man where you’re most vulnerable and he’ll most certainly use it against you down the road. Look, you didn’t owe Theo an explanation for being a driven woman. You are what you are—period.”

  “Well it didn’t help that he made me feel guilty. He thought I was expecting more from him than I was giving him.”

  Vondrelle shook her head reflectively. “Sounds like a bunch of bullshit if you ask me. Emotional blackmail at its best. You gave him two years of your life for goodness sakes! What more did he want from you?”

  “Marriage and children.”

  Vondrelle gave her a sobering look just then. “Well you do want that too at some point don’t you?”

  “I do...yes.” Olivia nodded hesitantly. “I just don’t see it fitting into my plans right now.

  “Well then...if he wants it right now and you’re not wanting it until later, sounds like he did both of you a big favor by ending the relationship. You might be hurting now, but down the road when you’re ready for it, you’ll be all the more satisfied because you did it on your own terms.”

  Olivia shrugged. “I suppose so. I’d never really thought about it that way.”

  She’d even caught herself wondering what it would be like to be a wife and mother one day since Theo. Of course she’d put the idea to rest just as quickly, shuddering at the thought. Just because other woman gave themselves up to become someone’s wife and someone’s mother didn’t mean she had to. Besides, the only way any of it could happen was with a man. And Olivia wasn’t ready to think about dating anyone else just yet.

  “Call me crazy but I’ll bet he was jealous of your career,” Vondrelle said matter-of-factly.

  “I don’t know, but anything’s possible,” Olivia said. Theo, while having a fairly decent career had never let on he was jealous she made her money than him. But maybe underneath all his protests of her not spending enough time with him he’d been resentful of her financial independence. But what did it matter now anyway, she wondered? It was too late. She’d already lost him.

  Chapter Eleven

  The door to Alistair’s office sprang open and Bridget walked in with a client. He’d been so busy going over recent listings he’d forgotten about his two o’clock appointment. Bridget introduced the client and disappeared from Alistair’s office. The client, an older gentleman by the name of Mark Templeton, stated he was looking for something on an elaborate scale—a sprawling mansion to be exact. Alistair tried to suppress a look of anticipation from reaching his eyes. He’d recently made his first six-figure commission and staring him in the face at that moment was the possibility of another. He couldn’t believe his luck. But first things first. There were precious few high-end listings available at the moment

  “Again, let me state that money’s not object,” Mark said assuredly. “I’m willing to pay whatever amount it takes to land my dream home.”

  “How many bedrooms are you looking for?” Alistair asked.

  “Seven or eight. I need lots of space for grandkids and other visiting family members—a detached guesthouse would be ideal. Or something with enough land to build one if need be. I’m hoping to put a reasonable amount of space between me and my aging, meddling mother in-law. The wife recently told me she invited her beloved mother to come stay with us soon. So as you can imagine I can barely contain my excitement,” Mark said, rolling his eyes. “This should be a dandy. Oh aren’t I lucky?” he added, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He let out a raucous laugh, seemingly out of place for the professional manner in which he presented himself.

  Alistair gave him a broad, confident grin. “Then you’ve come to the right place. I give you my word, I’ll do my very best to make that happen. And actually your timing couldn’t be any more perfect. A sprawling estate in Lexington Hills just came available and matches everything you’re looking for.” Alistair turned his laptop on an angle to show Mark the property he’d just pulled up on the company website. With a few clicks of the mouse he showed Mark photos of both the interior and exterior of the property. Mark nodded in approval with what he saw.

  “So how soon can you book me for a showing?”

  “How about we set something up for mid-week...say Wednesday? How’s that sound?”

  “Sounds great.” Mark stood to leave.

  Alistair got up from his chair too, extending his hand to Mark as he did. “Thanks for coming in. I look forward to showing you the house.”

  Mark gripped Alistair’s hand, shaking it vigorously, making direct eye contact. “Just so you know, you come highly recommended.”

  “Oh really?” Alistair raised his brow interestedly. “May I ask by whom?” He knew his track record for placing the right client in the right home was a good one so word from satisfied customers got around from time to time. He loved referrals, especially when came with Rolex-wearing clients like Mark.

  “Olivia Putnam—one of the finest attorneys we have at Harris, Templeton and Monroe. She says you two know each other through mutual friends.”

  Alistair was speechless for a moment, nodding his head thoughtfully. “Glad she referred you to me. I’m very pleased to do business with you, Mark.”

  After Mark was gone, Alistair sat at his desk, replaying Mark’s words over in his head. Olivia had recommended him to one of the partners at the firm. It was a very thoughtful gesture on her part—one that came with dollar signs, no less. He grabbed his wallet out of his coat pocket, flipping through the compartments until he found Olivia’s business card. She’d given it to him the day of Simone and Jamal’s wedding and he’d held on to it just in case he ever needed legal advice. He wasn’t planning on any mergers or business takeovers, but who knew if the fat commission checks kept rolling in

  Holding Olivia’s business card in one hand and his cell-phone in the other, he thought about dialing her number but changed his mind. Calling and thanking her this early on for recommending Mark to him might make him sound like he was desperate for the business. It was better to wait until the sale went through then thank her. Frankly, it surprised him that he was even still thinking about her. He came across beautiful women all the time. But she wasn’t just your average attractive woman. She had beauty, brains, wit, and charm. She was the whole package. The very thought of her evoked emotions in him he hadn’t felt in ages. The days when he’d wanted more than just a night of mind-blowing sex.

  Had she not been attached to someone the first time he’d met her, she’d have been his long before now. But making a play for another man’s woman just wasn’t his style. Alistair Davenport wasn’t in the business of breaking up relationships. But now that Olivia and Theo’s relationship had bitten the dust, and since she’d made the grand gesture of bringing him business, opportunity had knocked. But he had to be tactful in his approach. She was bound to still be hurting over the loss of her relationship.

  He contemplated calling her private cell-phone number rather than call her business line with a non-business related matter. Holding his cell-phone in the palm of his hand, he thumbed her digits on the keypad and listened as the phone rang. It was almost four-thirty in the afternoon. She was more than likely busy at work, so he’d give her nothing more than a quick hello then...

  “Good afternoon, Olivia Putnam speaking...” came the sound of her voice moments later.

  “Hello Olivia...Alistair Davenport here...”

  “Alistair?” she asked, sounding surprised.

  “My apologies for calling you at work, but I had to call and thank you for the referral,” Alistair said, sounding as business-like as he could.

  “Oh that...it was nothing, really. I know you’re good at what you do and Mark’s a very demanding guy. I thought it’d be a good fit,” she said pleasantly.

  Alistair wanted to take in every second of this experience. He didn’t want the call to end, but he didn’t want to take up much of her time either. “Well even though it’s still in the early stages,
I think I’ve found him a winner. I think he’s really going to like it.”

  “Well that’s wonderful.”

  “So let me just cut right to the chase then. Would you like to get together sometime soon...you know...a friendly lunch to catch up with each other?”

  “Oh Alistair...,” she said, her voice trailing off hesitantly. “Thanks for the offer, but... I mean, it’s probably not a good idea. Just some stuff that I’m dealing with right now.” She didn’t mention her breakup with Theo and Alistair suspected it was because she assumed he didn’t know her sister had shared the news with everyone over Thanksgiving dinner.

  “Can’t blame a guy for asking though, can you?” He laughed.

  “I do appreciate you asking me. I really do.” She sounded as though she were softening the blow of her rejection.

  “Well I tell you what...when you’re up for it give me a call, how’s that sound?”

  “Sounds good. And thanks again for calling. I know Mark’s in really good hands.

  “Thanks again, Olivia” Alistair said. “Nice talking to you and I look forward to hearing from you sometime.”

  And with that the conversation was over. He’d taken the plunge and she’d rejected him. But it was ok. He understood where she was coming from. She wasn’t ready to pick the pieces of her love-torn heart up and start dating again. It was to be expected.

  He stuffed her business card back to his wallet just as Bridget appeared in his office. “Your next appointment is here,” she said, directing an older couple into his office.

  “How’s your sister?” he asked Jazlynn later on that evening.

  “She’s been better, I can tell you that much,” Jazlynn said as she dumped a bag of potato chips into a bowl. She and Trey had all but taken over the house. Alistair felt like the third wheel in his own house these days.

  “Hmm...,” he said, nodding slowly.

  Jazlynn searched his face. “In case you’re wondering, I don’t think she and Theo are getting back together.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Well I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling I have.”

  “Well sometimes when it’s over, it’s over,” Alistair said. “Maybe she knows that.”

  “I dunno...maybe...” Jazlynn said, suddenly looking at him closely. “If you’re thinking about calling her—then do it. I mean it’s not like your strangers.”

  Alistair looked at her amused. He wouldn’t let on that he’d already called her. “Where did you even get the idea I was interested?”

  Jazlynn laughed. “Come on now...don’t play dumb with me. You keep asking me about her. I kind of just put two and two together.”

  “Touché.” Alistair grinned. “You’re sister’s a very attractive woman. Can you blame me?”

  As always, his mind went back to the first time he’d laid eyes on her.She’d looked spectacular with her hair piled high up on her head, showing off her long, sexy neck. Her almond shaped eyes had shimmered in the candle lit banquet hall as they danced together.

  Just then Trey called out to Jazlynn from the basement. “I’d better get these munchies down there before he starts the movie without me”

  “What’s the movie?” Alistair asked.

  Jazlynn made a face. “Oh just something silly about a group of guys going on a college road trip or something. Why don’t you come watch it with us?”

  Alistair considered it for a moment but changed his mind. “I’d better not. I have a bunch of new listings to upload to the website. But thanks anyway.”

  “Okay then.” Jazlynn turned and disappeared from the kitchen.

  He fixed himself a glass of iced tea and made his way to the spare bedroom office. He thought of the events of the day and Olivia sending Mark his way. At least she’d thought of him. It was unfortunate she’d turned his invitation down. He cursed Theo for letting her go and putting her through emotional hell. On the other hand he couldn’t help but give him kudos for swinging the door of opportunity open in his favor.

  Chapter Twelve

  Eager to drown away the stress of the day, Olivia and her friends Alicia and Megan squished into the only available booth at The Sympatico Café. Being the youngest associates at the firm, they met up on the occasional Friday afternoon just to hang out. They hadn’t gone in a while but at Alicia’s suggestions had all agreed it was a good idea.

  Recently Olivia was socializing a little more when her schedule permitted. She’d come a long way in three months. As she got comfortable in her seat she realized Don’t Get Around Much Anymore was playing in the background. Irony at its best, she thought. “Darling, I guess my minds more at ease...But nevertheless, why stir up memories...!” she listened to Harry bellow the words as though singing directly at her.

  Awash with sentiment, she glanced around thinking it seemed like a lifetime ago since Theo had taken her there for their second date. Everything was different now. Everything.

  Olivia tried hard to look at things on the bright side. Things never stayed the same for long. She longed for the day to come when she’d wake up and not have Theo’s name be the first thing that popped into her head. She wanted him out of her mind and out of her dreams. He’d made his decision and had walked away. Now she needed to do the same.

  “So how long has it been since we came here last?” Alicia asked as she wriggled out of her coat and slung it over the booth along with her scarf.

  Megan shook her head and shrugged. “Don’t ask me. Life’s been crazy...really haven’t been keeping track of time.”

  “And don’t ask me either,” Olivia said. “I’ve been buried so deep in work stuff that the days of the week have all been running together. I swear the past three months have been like one, long continuous day. Sometimes I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.”

  Both women glanced up from their menus and stared at her. “Yeah right,” Megan said giving her a skeptical glance. “You? The one who has it all together?

  “I can’t imagine,” Alicia added. “You’re so organized it’s sickening sometimes.”

  Olivia had told neither of them about her breakup. Her personal life was her personal life and she intended to keep it that way. “I might be organized but that doesn’t prevent me from getting bogged down in the details every now and then.”

  “Then stop taking all the good cases,” Megan said.

  Olivia looked at her then. “Thank you, I’ll remember that for next time,” she said, not hiding the sarcasm in her voice. She’d long known Megan was envious of her success rate and her rapport with the partners. If Megan didn’t choose to make herself more available that was her problem.

  The waiter appeared and took their orders. The women handed their menus off to him and he left the table.

  Alicia cleared her throat. “So guys there’s something I’ve been waiting to discuss with you. An idea—a suggestion, I suppose—but an idea nonetheless.”

  Olivia and Megan glanced interestedly at her. “Go on,” Olivia said.

  Megan nodded. “Yes, what is it.”

  Nervously unfolding and refolding the napkin in front of her, Alicia said, “Okay, I’m going to forewarn you, you’re both probably going to think I’m crazy, but I really think it could work.”

  “Okay...” Megan said slowly.

  “I’m thinking about leaving the firm,” Alicia said quickly.

  The other two women gave her a look of stunned surprise.

  “Sweetie, did you fall and hit your head or something?” Olivia asked with a grin.

  “I was going to ask the same thing.” Megan said.

  Alicia put a hand up in protest. “Now, now...hear me out before you judge. I’ve been thinking about starting my own practice. With my background in family law I think having my own practice would benefit me well.”

  Olivia toyed over the idea in her head for a moment. She nodded, raising her eyebrows and shrugged. “Okay, not necessarily the worst idea in the world. Not necessarily the greatest either.”
>
  “So what possessed you to come up with this idea, if you don’t mind me asking?” Megan asked. “Like Olivia I don’t think it’s a bad idea but it is a little scary out there running your own practice.”

  “Well see that’s the other thing,” Alicia said, sounding a little more confident now. “I was thinking—and again I’m not crazy, just thinking big I suppose—but I was thinking how about three of us started one together?”

  Alicia’s words hung in the air and for a moment no one said anything.

  Olivia scratched her forehead at a loss for words. Leaving Harris, Templeton, and Monroe was out of the question for her. She wasn’t entirely opposed to the idea, but thought maybe five more years down the road. Not right now. Her heart was set on making partner in a large established firm one day, not some low-rent practice started with two women with barely ten years between them in the business.

  Megan was the first to speak up. “I couldn’t see me doing it though. I haven’t even been practicing for two years yet.”

  “Well I’m only in my third but that doesn’t mean I don’t want bigger and better things. Starting our own firm together would be great. Can’t you imagine the three of us with our own practice?” Alicia made a gesture with her hand “Sarty, Yeats, Putnam or Sarty, Putnam, Yeats, or however you prefer, engraved on the signage in the front of the building?” Her face was all smiles.

  “Actually, that would be Putnam first on the marquee,” Olivia said jokingly. “I’m not knocking your idea. One of these days maybe, but not right now because—” she said, suddenly stopping in mid-sentence as someone on the other side of the café caught her attention.

  She recognized the shape of the head, the close fade haircut, the rich, dark chocolate complexion and slight goatee. Hoisting slightly up from her chair, she squinted for a closer look and was hit smack dab with the realization of who it was. Theo. Her breath caught in her throat. He was talking to someone sitting across from him—a woman. Olivia could only make out the back of her honey-colored streaked head.