Read Online The New Year's Wish by Dani-Lyn Alexander - Free Book Online

there before. “What are you going to do now? It’s kind of late to find a venue for—”
    â€œMs. Calloway.”
    Olivia glanced over her shoulder as the door slammed open and bounced against the wall, revealing a very stern-looking Charlotte Harris.
    Ugh . . . can this get any worse?
    â€œI just received a phone call saying my New Year’s Eve party is canceled. Is that true?”
    Apparently, it can get much worse. Think, think, think. What could she say? There really was no way to resolve this. “Yes, Ms. Harris. I’m sorry, I—”
    Ms. Harris put her hand up, palm toward Olivia. “I don’t want to hear it. It’s too late at this point to put together another party. You’re fired, Ms. Calloway. Collect your things and go.”
    Olivia stared at Garrett for a split second, then picked up her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and stormed out the door. As she strode toward the reception desk, Jill’s smirk followed her out the door. She lifted her chin and kept walking, fighting off the tears until she reached the street.
    OLIVIA SLAMMED THE DOOR shut behind her and threw her bag onto the nearest chair. She tried to wrestle the sobs under control. How could she have screwed this up? She wanted to keep this job so badly and had tried so hard.
    She grabbed a box of tissues and flung herself onto the couch. Garrett. A dull ache settled in her chest. She’d probably never see him again. He’d never forgive her for messing this up.
    Anger seeped in. It began to fester and grow, starting to nudge some of the sadness aside. Chip. “This is all his fault.If he had the nerve to be honest with his father, the senator wouldn’t have done this to me.” She ripped the phone from the base and punched the numbers that would give her a target for her anger.
    Barney whimpered and padded over to sit beside her. He lowered his massive head onto her lap and pinned her with his soulful stare.
    Her finger hovered over the final number. She bit her lip and lowered her hand. “It’s not really his fault, is it, boy?”
    The thought of calling her father briefly flitted through her mind, but she dismissed it just as quickly.
    Barney lifted his head, and Olivia set the phone gently back into its base. She inhaled deeply. Barney tilted his head to the side and she reached out to scratch his head, allowing the easygoing dog to bring her comfort.
    â€œYou’re right. This whole thing is nobody’s fault but my own. I shouldn’t have asked George to plan the party. I should have done it myself.” She sighed.
    Barney followed her when she pushed off the couch and headed for the kitchen. Filling the teakettle, she wracked her brain for a solution. Nothing came. She put the kettle on the burner, grabbed a mug, and dropped a tea bag into it. Her mind was a total blank. No answers jumped out at her, and she returned to feeling sorry for herself.
    The resentment that had poured off Garrett would be hard to overcome, but maybe he’d listen if she apologized. Who am I kidding? He probably hates me. A vision of his eyes, hardened in anger directed at her, assaulted her.
    The kettle’s whistle dragged her from her pity party. She couldn’t deal with all of this right now. She put her tea on the table, grabbed her computer, placed it beside the mug, and sat. Barney lowered his bulk to the floor beneath her feet. “All right, boy. First things first.” She turned the computer on and took a sip of tea. Warmth flowed through her, doing nothing to relieve the chill that had overtaken her.
    â€œI need a job.” She blew the wavy bangs off her forehead and studied the help-wanted ads. “There has to be something I can do. Everyone’s good at something. Right?” She glanced down at the big dog, but he only snored in response.
    She returned her attention to the computer screen. She scanned through the list of available jobs.