Page 40 of She's a Big Deal

“No, really.” Olivia had to laugh at her friend’s exasperated expression. “Bear with me.”

“I’m trying.”

“Look, I’m fine, okay? I’m not losing my head over just one kiss. Or, well, a couple. And a whirl on the dance floor.” Though Olivia, for sure, had replayed those scenes over and over in her head. “But I’m fine.”

“Uh-huh. Good to hear. Still, you’re talking nonsense.”

“I just think there’s a lot she keeps under wraps, that’s all.”

“Why?” Dana frowned suspiciously.

“I don’t know... Protection, probably. I get the sense there’s bad blood between her and some of the family. Her brother was nasty to her when we bumped into him the other night.”

“You could ask Charlie.”

“Absolutely not. First of all, she’s not the kind to discuss her family behind their back. Also, I don’t want to. It would feel too much like an invasion of privacy.”

“Alright, fair enough. Shame we aren’t from the Burlington area, or we’d know the history of its most famous family.” Dana considered. “You could ask around.”

“Again, I’d rather not. If Grace feels like telling me, she will. I do know she left a long time ago, and she’s had nothing to do with the family business since then. She’s a self-made woman. Only owes her success to her own hard work and talent.”

“Gosh, listen to you,” Dana snorted. “You sound so proud of her. So smitten already!”

Olivia shrugged. “What can I say? I like her.”

“Sounds like she’s the black sheep of the family.”

“Yeah… Her brother said peculiar things—”Shit.She’d not meant to share this bit.

“What things?” Dana prompted.

Reluctantly, Olivia told her. Predictably, her friend became even more reticent.

“Dangerous?” she repeated. “A coward? That’s the woman you’re all goofy-eyed about?”

“Trust me, I’m sure her brother was self-projecting all over the place. And Dana?”

“Yes?”

“Please, stop looking so worried.”

“I’ll make you a deal, darling. I won’t worry if you don’t go chasing after her.”

“Hmm.”

“Deal?” Dana growled.

“Fine. I won’t.” Olivia would hate herself if she turned into the chasing kind anyway. “But if she gets in touch with me first, all bets are off.”

“Fine.”

They shook on it. Then, right on cue, Olivia’s phone beeped.

“Oh my God.” She beamed. “She sent me a text. It’s a sign!”

“She psychic too?” Dana rolled her eyes even as she also laughed. “Alright. What does it say?”

“Just to check my email.”

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