Free Betrayed by Trust by Hailey Hogan

bring him back. Let it go. Put in some job applications elsewhere and forget about Blake Banks.”
    “Bridget, you just don’t understand.”
    Caitlyn felt like she was ten years old listening to her mother reprimand her instead of her younger sister. Bridget went on and on why her marrying Blake wasn’t a good idea. “You can’t open up the Dallas Morning News without seeing him in the society pages. Can you handle being in the limelight? Your life will become an open book. Did you forget you’re one of his employees?”
    “Yes. No. I know how to deal with meddlesome reporters.”
    “But why even put yourself through it. I knew you going to work there was a bad idea.”
    Before Caitlyn could respond, Matt walked in the room. “There’s my favorite girl.” He walked over and kissed Bridget.
    Caitlyn cleared her throat. “Excuse me. Can you two wait until I leave?”
    Matt threw his hand up and waved. “Oh hi Cat. Didn’t see you sitting there.”
    She cringed. “You’re so full of it.”
    “Awe sister in law.” Matt walked over to where she was sitting and bent down to hug her.
    “Better now?” he asked.
    She pouted. “Maybe.”
    “Hey, get your own. He’s mine,” Bridget said, smiling for the first time since Caitlyn stopped by.
    Matt retrieved a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “Glad to see you two talking again. If you hadn’t come over today, I would have called you myself.”
    Bridget looked at Matt as if she wanted to throw a dagger at him. “You talk too much.”
    “Baby, you just had me worried.” Matt pulled a chair near Bridget and sat down. He placed his arm around her shoulders.
    “All is well now,” she assured him.
    Caitlyn watched the two of them. The love between the two was what she wanted to experience. She wondered if she ever would. A lone tear slid down her cheek.
    Bridget reached up and wiped Caitlyn’s cheek. “Why don’t you stay for dinner?” Bridget asked. “I’m sure Matt doesn’t mind.” She looked at Matt who didn’t say anything.
    “I am tired of fast food.”
    “It’s settled. Matt’s going to grill a few steaks and I’ll make some side items.”
    “Sounds good to me,” Matt said, as he stood up and kissed Bridget on the forehead.
    Less than two hours later, they enjoyed a hearty meal. Bridget told Matt about Caitlyn’s plans. “Cat, this isn’t the wisest thing you’ve done.”
    “But…” she stuttered.
    “I told you all before that trying to get revenge isn’t worth it. Have you thought about all of the people who might lose their jobs because of your plans?” Matt asked.
    She hadn’t thought about it. Matt’s question stayed with her, although her words didn’t admit it. “For now, I’m going along with the plan. I’ll get the money and let the chips fall where they may.”
     
     

Chapter 14
     
    “Joan, thank you so much for setting the party up,” Blake said.
    Joan handed him a sheet of paper with the details of the party listed. “Happy engagement,” she said, before leaving him alone with his thoughts.
    The first installment Blake received from his uncle’s estate was enough to put Banks Telecom back in the black. Blake had to cut back in certain areas but he was no longer hurting financially. He would be able to save his company and continue to live the lifestyle he had gotten accustomed to living. According to the will, Blake would receive the rest of the installments in phases, with the bulk of it, after he and Caitlyn remained married for a year.
    He called Caitlyn on her cell phone. No answer. Where could she be? She had been avoiding him since lunch the day before. With her being a project manager, most were required to update their schedules in an online database which he had access to. He logged online to check her schedule and there weren’t any meetings set up, so he concluded she purposely avoided his phone calls. She could avoid him at work, but he would be stopping by her place later, so he hoped she