A Very Good Life Read Online Free

distressed suede jacket. Long straight hair splashed across her shoulders, and her deep blue eyes gazed at Brett above high angular cheekbones.
    “Good morning, Janice,” he said, recovering quickly from his vain sideways glance. “What brings
you
in this morning? I would expect you to be out Christmas shopping today.”
    “Shopping? My salary barely covers the rent, so my family and friends aren’t expecting gifts,” Janice replied glibly. “Besides, I can’t stand the crowds. Say, what’s all the fuss with these display windows?”
    Brett smiled at the question, common to residents who were not native to the city or not yet attuned to the sights and sounds of its many concrete arteries. “They’re a big New York attraction. Department stores spend the whole year working on them. They’re mini productions, complete with set designers.” Brett tilted his head while extending the thumb of his left hand, motioning to the city below that was now in full holiday mode. “You should get in the spirit of the season and take a look.”
    “What makes
you
such an expert?” Janice asked. “Next you’ll be telling me that you’re a department store Santa in your spare time.”
    Brett threw his head back and laughed. “My wife works for B. Altman.”
    “Who in the world is B. Altman?” asked Janice. “Should I recognize the name?”
    “It’s a store, not a person, although Benjamin Altman was indeed the founder,” Brett answered with a smile. “It’s one of the oldest and finest department stores in the city.” He was amused at Janice’s confusion over one of the city’s more well-known landmarks.
    Janice’s curiosity had been piqued. As a litigator, her natural inclination was to ask follow-up questions in order to garner information. “Then what fine thing does your wife do for this exemplary department store? If you don’t mind my asking, that is.” The last remark had been tendered as an innocent afterthought to offset her direct, prodding manner.
    “Something with special events,” Brett said. He’d come to expect Janice’s aggressive style, which had also been duly noted by others in the firm.
    “Something? Now
that’s
a rather vague job description.”
    “Public relations, too,” Brett said. “I believe she’s making sure that one of B. Altman’s windows has enough snow this morning.” In reality, he wasn’t at all sure what his wife was currently doing. “I guess you could say she wears many hats.”
    “Oh, I’m sure she wears quite a few,” Janice said.
    Brett’s smile faded as he looked at Janice. Her remark had been delivered with a lack of emotion, and he wasn’t quite sure whether it was a simple observation or an outright criticism.
    “Well, it all sounds very interesting,” Janice said with a plastic smile. “As long as she’s happy inside her window.”
    Janice was quite aware that Brett took notice of her barbed remarks, and yet he never outright objected to them, a fact that made her all the more curious about his relationship with Dana. She rather enjoyed pressing for information about the happy little couple. In fact, were they truly happy, or did they live in their own little professional worlds? Was it a marriage of social convenience? Janice was an astute observer, and she knew that Brett was hyper-focused on making partner. It would be the height of irony, she thought, if the appropriate Mrs. McGarry were mere window dressing for her ambitious husband.
    Brett had already dismissed Janice’s inquiries.
    “I just need to grab some papers,” he said, walking to the other side of the reception area. He was in high spirits, and Janice’s penchant for directness was not something he dwelled on. He entered his well-appointed office, sitting behind his desk in order to select the folders he needed from the corner inbox. Janice had held the bag of honey buns while Brett found his key, and she followed him inside, placing the pastry on his desk.
    Brett always