Between Deadlines and Desires

fice, reviewing spreadsheets and pending messages, but her mind was elsewhere. Despite

emails. Four from Clinton marked urgent. She scanned them, fingers dancing w

icked. Assistants whispered. Executives rushed. Rei

gait, dark hair pulled into a sleek bun, phone in one hand, a

lazer and pencil skirt, likely dressed for one of her mock interviews she h

. "I see corporate life hasn't

numb," Olivia muttered, e

edge of her sister's desk. "How's the kin

owned. "H

king likey

e time for t

Right, God forbid we dis

need so

nks. For pulling strings for that portfolio review at Thoms

re thank-you from La

oesn't mean I want your life, Liv. You gave up

ld respond, Clint

ivi

hed a brow, then gave a mocking two-fing

ed as ever, and step

nhattan's skyline blazing behind him. H

ormac. Your flight to Geneva has been moved to Tuesd

en. "You removed the bra

en't good

at her. "Yo

alignment. Olivia di

dle it,"

dinner with Killian. I don't

never bailed on p

erst

ave, but his voi

ivi

used.

unreadable. "Not

k at her in the black screen of her monitor. When had she become s

. A courier stepped

y for Ms

od to receive it. "

gs. Just her name. She signed, closed the

ed it ca

a single sh

row you away. Ask Clinton what he planned befor

ld. The breath ca

text. Just enough

r, heart pounding. Her resignation wasn't even off

t a w

li

of a truth she wa

from her min

to her skin like a second breath. She walked home in silence, pas

looked up from his editi

ad. "Long day. Let's order s

"Fries and d

n't reach her eyes. The not

hort film contests, Olivia nodded-but her

e will confr

t broke e