Celeste blinked twice behind the lenses of her new red reading glasses. “Well, he doesn’t have time!” She flailed a hand toward the ceiling. “His image is your job, Olivia, and his success is Flair’s success.”
“Completely agree,” Morgan chimed in like a two-bit backup singer. “Let’s get a plan and execute it.” She opened the lid of her laptop. “I’m ready to stay as late as it takes, Celeste.”
Elton gave a quiet whine. “I canceled a techno bubble rave for this.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, then turned back to Celeste. “I should be hearing from Lachlan any moment. In the meantime, I agree that we could go ahead and launch press releases on his behalf. Let’s contact some news sources to leak some well-placed mentions of Lachlan’s complete innocence and disconnect from Maxwell and his crimes. I’ve already locked down comments on Lachlan’s social media, and working in tandem with the Star Gazer marketing department, I’ve drafted a statement for his website.”
Two hours later, I downed the last dregs of the energy drink I’d later regret and hit send on the final email to a reporter Celeste knew at ABC News. My head ached, my brain felt gelatinous, and I just wanted to see Lachlan and wrap him in a hug. What must be going through his head right now? I couldn’t imagine the pain and feelings of betrayal.
Celeste caught me checking my phone again. “Any word from your husband?”
I shook my head. “Sorry. I know he’s very busy though, so I might not hear until late.” Or not at all, a thought that stung. Yes, I was in charge of his PR, but more importantly, I was his wife and his friend, darn it. Why was Lachlan shutting me out of this? He had to know that I was wrecked with worry.
Morgan plucked a cube of cheddar from the meat and cheese tray. “Maybe he can’t contact you because his attorney has advised him not to. We basically know nothing more than what the news reported, which is very little. It’s entirely possible there’s significantly more to the story.”
“That’s enough, Morgan,” Elton warned.
“What I’m saying is there could be a very big reason why Lachlan hasn’t so much as texted his own wife since we’ve been here.” Morgan’s face of false concern fooled no one. “Surely he isn’t involved in this criminal activity too.” She sighed prettily and shook her head. “I sure hope not. Otherwise, we’ll look like even bigger fools.”
“We won’t.” I wanted to rip off Morgan’s perky ponytail and stomp it on the ground. “Because I can assure you Lachlan not only had nothing to do with his CFO’s crimes, but he had no idea. And if you so much as hint that my husband could be involved in something illegal again, I will—”
“Enough.” Celeste stood and pushed her chair behind her with a squeak. “We don’t have time for you two to come to blows and mess up this conference room.”
“Couldn’t make it worse,” Elton muttered.
“I think we’ve done all we can tonight,” Celeste said. “Go home, get a good night’s sleep, and if we must, we’ll reconvene in the morning if there is new information. Solid work, everyone. Goodnight.”
“I could stay and continue to monitor news outlets,” Morgan offered. “Reach out to some of my sources.”
“Not your client and not necessary.” Celeste inclined her head toward the door. “Off you go.”
I slid my MacBook into my bag, wishing I could click my heels and be home. Wishing Lachlan would be there waiting.
“Don’t pack up just yet, Olivia.” Celeste adjusted the chunky necklace at her throat, her voice authoritative as a drill sergeant. “You and I need to have a chat.”
ChapterForty-Seven
OLIVIA
It waswith no small amount of envy I resumed my seat and watched Elton and Morgan leave. If I hadn’t married a millionaire gaming mogul, I could’ve gone home too. These were the burdens of being Lachlan’s wife. That and finding hisFortniteboxers mixed with my unmentionables in the dryer.
My boss sat down beside me, pulling her chair close as if we were the best of friends. “Olivia, sweetie.”
Wow, things must be worse than I thought if Celeste was breaking out the endearments. “Yes, ma’am?”
“I want you to know that I realize this situation has put you in a very difficult position.”
“It has.” I appreciated that Celeste understood. “I’m playing two important roles here—wife and a public relations manager.” These roles had separated and blended in new ways, and I felt completely off-kilter. “Things are…complicated.”
“I know, dear.” Her head angled with such compassion that tears sprang to my eyes. “And of course as Lachlan’s wife you should be his support system and confidant.”
I sniffed and nodded. “Believe me, I’m trying.”
“I know you are. You’re our Olivia who never, ever gives up.”
“Thank you.”
“But your job hinges on turning this disaster around.” Celeste handed me a napkin. “Not just the pending promotion, but your very job.”
