The CEO’s Unspoken Love (Eleanor and Derek) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

My phone rang again as I was locking up. Olivia this time.

“Tell me everything,” she demanded without preamble. “How was your day? You sound exhausted.”

I sighed, feeling the weight of the day pressing down. “Catherine called.”

“What did she want? That woman never calls without an agenda.”

“To rush the divorce,” I said, leaning against the counter. “She basically accused me of dragging things out and reminded me the

three years are almost up.”

Olivia’s outrage grew with each detail as I summarized the conversation.

“The nerve of these people! Acting like you’re the problem when Derek’s the one who abandoned you for two years! And now he’s

back in town ignoring you? Unbelievable.”

“It’s fine, Liv. This is how it was always going to end.”

“It’s not fine,” she insisted. “They’ve treated you like an outsider for years. And now they want you to just disappear quietly?”

“Can we not talk about this now? I’m exhausted.”

‘Perfect. I’m outside your shop. We’re going out.”

Before I could protest, I spotted Olivia’s red Mini Cooper parked across the street. She waved enthusiastically.

Ten minutes later, I was in her passenger seat, reflexively using the lavender-scented hand sanitizer I kept in my purse.

“Where are we going?” I asked as she navigated through evening traffic.

“That new place on Newbury Street everyone’s talking about, Olivia replied with a mischievous smile. “They have a couples’

discount tonight, and since neither of us has a date, we’re going as each other’s plus-one.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re suggesting we pretend to be a couple for a discount?”

“Hey, if it saves us fifteen percent on cocktails, I’m willing to hold your hand, she laughed. “Besides, the music is supposed to be

amazing.

The bar was crowded but tastefully designed, with exposed brick walls and soft lighting. Olivia, true to her word, kept her arm

linked with mine as we approached the hostess.

“Table for two, she announced, beaming. “We’re here for date night.”

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Chapter 12

The hostess smiled knowingly and led us to a small table near the stage, where a jazz quartet was setting up.

‘You’re shameless,” I whispered once we were seated.

Olivia grinned and opened the menu. “I’m ordering for both of us. You need food and alcohol, in that order.”

She proceeded to order enough appetizers for four people and two elaborate cocktails with names I couldn’t pronounce. When the

food arrived, I realized how hungry I was and dove in gratefully.

“So,” Olivia said between bites of truffle fries, “any theories on why Derek really came back to Boston? The rumor mill says Jonathan

Wells is restructuring the family business.”

I shrugged. “Catherine made it clear they want the divorce finalized.”

*After three years of a marriage in name only,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “Was that actually in a contract somewhere?”

“Yes,” I admitted, swirling my drink. “There’s a formal agreement. Three years, then we part ways. Clean and simple.”

“Except there’s nothing clean or simple about relationships, Olivia countered. “Even fake ones.”

I picked at my food, suddenly less hungry. “He’s probably back to handle the divorce personally. Make sure I don’t cause problems.”

“As if you ever would,” Olivia scoffed, then excused herself to use the restroom.

Left alone, I surveyed the room, taking in the stylish crowd. The bar had filled up considerably, with Boston’s young professionals unwinding after work. The music swelled as the band began their first set, a mellow jazz standard that made me think of rainy

nights and missed opportunities.

“Eleanor?” A male voice called from behind me. “Eleanor Wells?”

I turned to find Daniel Wilson-Derek’s oldest friend-standing there with a stunning blonde on his arm. His expression shifted

from surprise to something resembling discomfort, his eyes darting briefly toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

“I thought that was you,” he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “What a coincidence!”

My heart raced as I forced a smile in return, wondering if this chance meeting was truly coincidental-and if Derek might be nearby,

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The CEO’s Unspoken Love