by Piper Rayne
She stops setting up her game of solitaire to give me a look. “I am not rude. I may be direct, but that isn’t the same as rude.”
I hold up my hands. “My mistake.”
“Anyway, back to you moving out of Liam’s house. I don’t suggest it.”
“And why’s that?” I knit a stitch and smile as I get the hang of it a little more.
“Because you two have been chosen to plan the fundraiser for the library extension.”
The needles clink as I drop them in my lap. “What?”
She continues to deal her solitaire game without granting me a glance. “It makes sense. Everyone in Lake Starlight loves Liam, and all the business owners downtown really look up to him. And one of us Baileys has to do it of course.”
“Why a Bailey and why me? I have Brooklyn’s reception on my plate already, on top of everything else I do.”
“Well, Phoenix is interning at Bailey Timber this summer, so she’ll help you there, which should give you more time for the fundraising, and Brooklyn’s reception is right around the corner. The charity gala isn’t for two months. I raised your father while doing all the same things you do.”
My eyes bore into the side of her head. She’s taken it too far this time. But I can’t disrespect her and say my grandfather was running the company that I currently am. She thinks she’s pulling one over on me but being the Thelma to her Louise all these years has granted me inside knowledge of what her true intention is. “You’re meddling and trying to get us together.”
“Believe me, I know better than to meddle with you. This is the most logical thing. That’s all. You’ll keep it organized and neat, and Liam will add his creative flair and secure all the items for the silent auction.”
“Why don’t you do it with Liam?”
She taps the side of her head while laying down a card. “My memory. I’d probably screw it up.”
Her memory is more than fine.
“I smell a scheme,” I say, reaching for my phone.
“If you’d rather, Rachel Quinlan volunteered. I could always tell the board I was mistaken, and she and Liam could work together to make it happen. I’m sure they’d get on.”
She leaves the bait hanging there like a fat juicy worm, hoping I snag it like a starving fish. Rachel is the only girl I ever saw Liam go on more than one date with. In fact, they may have dated that first year I was away at college before I got called back to Lake Starlight because of my parents’ deaths. She’s the one he took to his senior prom.
I shouldn’t care, but damn it, I do. “It’s fine. You’re right. A Bailey should do it.”
She smiles at her cards. “Glad you’re in agreement. Do me a favor and set up a meeting with him tomorrow at the office. I’ll be in at ten thirty, after my cataract surgery.”
“Excuse me?”
She stops dealing cards to herself. “What did you not catch, dear?”
“Your cataract surgery is tomorrow? Who’s taking you? You can’t drive.”
“Phoenix is. Since she returned from Los Angeles, I told her she’s my helper for the summer. No way is she going to be sitting around the house Instachatting or whatever. If she’s not going to try to make it in LA, she needs to figure out what her next path is.”
“Okay, for a moment I thought—”
“No, I’m not going to drive after cataract surgery. Who do you think I am?” She acts as if I’m stupid for thinking she would, but the sheriff is about to revoke her license if he catches her driving out of town again.
“Dori Bailey, that’s who.”
She pats my knee. “Just set the meeting, dear.”
“Great job, Savannah, but right here.” Ethel points at an area that looks a bit wonky.
I have no idea what she’s talking about. I’m over this knitting thing. “What kind of spinster am I going to be? I hate cats, and I can’t knit.”
Ethel rounds the couch and sits next to me, patting my knee. “We’ll get you there, don’t worry.”
It’s good to have goals, I guess.
Six
Liam
I pocket my cell phone and open the door of Bailey Timber Corporation. The four-story lumber building is still impressive, even after being here so many times. Mr. Bailey is the one who worked with an architect when we were growing up to build the larger office. Bailey Timber had outgrown the small building near the production building.
I step up to the receptionist and I’m about to say who I’m here for, but she slides a name tag over the top of the desk.
“Here you go, Mr. Kelly. Ms. Bailey is expecting you. Do you know where her office is?” The woman is in her mid-twenties and she’s cute. Her smile says she might think I’m cute too.
“Don’t even think about it, Carrie, he’s in love with my sister.” Phoenix pops out of nowhere. “Liam.” She raises her eyebrows.
I grin at her. “I heard you were sticking around.”
She shrugs, her long dark hair a stark contrast from her older sister’s. “LA didn’t pan out yet, but I won’t be here for long.”
“Heading to New York with Sedona?”
“No way. I hate that place. Besides, Broadway isn’t my calling. Stardom is.” It’s not the first time I’ve noticed that her eyes light with fire when she talks about her singing aspirations. “I love Hollywood, but it’s so expensive.”
I put my arm around Phoenix because she’s like a kid sister to me. “Fall-back plan?”
“Uuugh! You sound like Savannah. What’s wrong with pursuing your dream?”
She presses the elevator button for the top floor, where all the executives are. I remember Denver, Rome, and I riding our bikes over here to get money from their dad back when we were twelve.
“Because there’re little things called rent, bills, food. Those necessities you need to survive in life.”
After politely waiting for everyone to file out, we step into the elevator. “I know, I know. Austin keeps reminding me of how me moving in with him and Holly has increased those costs for them.”
“Why don’t you move in with Juno for the summer while Kingston’s off smoke jumping?”
“Last I heard, Savannah had dibs there.”
I whip my head in her direction. “What?”
She covers her mouth as if she spilled a secret. She can spare me the drama. “Oh sorry, I figured you knew.” Her shoulder hikes up in a shrug, but her smirk is in place. “She must have wanted to surprise you.”
The elevator dings and I follow Phoenix down the hallway.
“So you’re into the older woman thing, huh? And the older sister of your best friends at that.” Only Phoenix would ask me point blank. That’s her style. She’s a lot like her grandmother that way.
“What are we, thirteen?”
She nudges me with her arm, stopping us in front of a corner office with Dori Bailey etched in the foggy glass door. “I can keep a secret.”
“None of you Baileys can keep a secret, and there’s nothing to tell. Savannah and I run cold together.”
“Except when you run hot. Like the night of Holly and Austin’s wedding?” She leans forward as though she wants in on the gossip Buzz Wheel is reporting.
“You can put your notepad down, detective. There’s nothing to tell.”
I knock on the glass because Phoenix’s dark eyes are still trying to figure out the situation between her oldest sister and myself.
“Come in,” Dori says, and Phoenix opens the door.
Low and behold, there’s my soon-to-be ex-roommate, sitting on the couch with a pen between her teeth and her fingers pecking at the keys on her laptop. That’s how I find her most days. Saturday and Sunday included.
“Liam!” Dori rises from behind her desk, an oversized pair of dark glasses on, and heads toward me.
There was a time when Grandma Dori scared me—back when we were young and Denver and Rome were constantly testing limits, which usually meant they came off as entitled little shits. I was the third amigo, s
o my reputation is similar to theirs. The only difference being that I’m not a Bailey.
“Dori.” I kiss her cheek and hug her. “I haven’t been to the office in ages. Good to know not much has changed.”
Phoenix interrupts our hello. “Am I staying or going?”
“Going,” Savannah says at the same time Dori says, “Staying.”
Phoenix sits next to Savannah, putting her feet on the table. Savannah knocks Phoenix’s legs off, but Phoenix does it again. Looks as if Phoenix presses Savannah’s buttons as well as I do these days.
“This is where you offer to get everyone drinks.” Savannah shuts her laptop and twists her hair into a bun before sticking the pen in to hold it.
“It’s just Liam,” Phoenix says, her feet remaining on the coffee table.
“We’re not at our house,” she says.
“You mean my house.”
“I mean Austin and Holly’s house.” Savannah gives her a stern look, but Phoenix remains seated.
“Did you know they’re taking down the flower wallpaper in the half bath?” Phoenix asks.
“Really?” Savannah and I say in unison. She looks at me.
“I liked it,” I say with a shrug.
“It was ugly,” Savannah adds.
“But it was unique,” I say.
Savannah reluctantly nods. It’s the first thing we’ve seen eye-to-eye on in a long time.
Since Austin and his new wife took over the family home, they’ve been making changes to make it their own. While I know everyone supports them doing so, it’s also got to be hard to see some of the last reminders of their parents disappear forever.
“Phoenix, go get Liam a drink,” Dori interrupts. “What would you like, dear?”
Phoenix stands as if she’s been asked to clean toilets. “What do you want?”
“Phoenix, this is good practice for you,” Savannah says.
“Water is good,” I answer, and Phoenix leaves. There’s an awkward silence for a beat, so I decide to fill it by whispering to Savannah, “I put your coffee mug in the dishwasher.”
I take Phoenix’s spot next to Savannah and ignore how her body shifts slightly away from me until she hits the arm of the couch.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m sure it’s been bothering you, so I figured I’d give you one less thing to obsess about today.” I lean back, resting my ankle on my knee. One loose strand of golden hair is falling down her neck, directing my attention to what I know is a sensitive spot. How easy it would be to run a small circle over her delicate skin and wrap her hair around my finger.
Phoenix pops her head back in the office. “Liam, do you take cream or sugar?”
“I said I’d take a water.” An annoyed huff sounds from Savannah as her gaze shoots to Dori.
“Give her a break. She’s out of her comfort zone.” Dori sits in the chair next to us, and I get the feeling her gaze is shifting between us. I can’t see anything through those glasses, but I’m smart enough to know not to ask why she has them on. “What are you guys whispering about?”
“Liam was so kindly telling me how he put my coffee mug in the dishwasher.” Savannah takes the pen from the bun she created, letting her long blonde hair fall over her back.
My gaze is transfixed on the movement of the silky strands, and I remember how I wove my fingers through them that one night. I hear Dori saying my name and shift my attention to her, but her knowing smile says she liked the way I was looking at her granddaughter.
The granddaughter, not so much though.
“You know how Savannah is. Neurotic to the tenth degree,” I say.
Savannah’s eyes narrow to the smallest slits, and the door opens again with Phoenix’s entrance.
“Here you go.” She drops a bottle of water fresh from the fridge in front of me and plops down in the chair on the other side of me before slipping off her shoes and putting her feet on the table again.
Dori sighs. If Savannah could take her eyes off me, she’d give the scathing look normally reserved for me to her sister.
“Thanks, Phoenix.” I crack open the bottle and offer it to Savannah, whose head rears back as if I offered her monkey brains. “No?”
“No,” she confirms.
“You looked hot.” I shrug.
She rolls her eyes and focuses on her grandmother in order to get our meeting started.
“So, Liam, we brought you in today because we’d like you to be part of the committee for the Bailey yearly charity event. You know there are plans for an addition to the library to expand the children’s section. I don’t have to tell you how near and dear that is to me, and I can only trust certain people with this endeavor.”
I’d do just about anything for the Baileys. They’re my second family, but this couldn’t come at a worse time. Not only is the tattoo shop busy, but Wyatt asked me to be his pseudo best man for the reception. Plus, it means more alone time with Savannah.
“I’ll do it,” Phoenix volunteers.
I think she’s only considering the entertainment portion of the event. The girl would throw a huge party and generate no money.
“That’s okay, sweetie, you’re needed here.” Dori smiles at her, but everyone in the room, probably including Phoenix, knows why Dori isn’t taking her up on her offer.
“How big is the committee?” I ask.
“Just you and Savannah.” Dori grins at her granddaughter like “come on, it’ll be fun.”
Savannah’s clearly not on board, which I suspect has more to do with me than the work the event will entail.
“What are you thinking? Silent auction? Do we want a dinner or a lunch? How formal will this be?”
This isn’t my first time helping with charity planning. My mom was the go-to helper until she moved away. I can’t blame her. When your best friends die, you tend to want to escape.
“I trust that you and Savannah can plan an amazing event that will get the funds needed for the library extension. I think we should keep this upscale though. Let’s do a theme dinner with a silent auction, but we need specialty items. Big ticket items. Unique items.”
I nod. “I can go around to the local businesses, recruiting.”
Dori points at me. “That’s where I knew you’d excel. Savannah can handle the where and when as well as the decorations.”
“You think I can’t handle deciding on white or ivory linens?” Phoenix interrupts, turning Dori’s attention her way.
While Dori politely turns Phoenix down once again, I turn my gaze to Savannah. She’s looking at where her fingers twist in her lap.
“You’re game for this? I’m shocked.”
She side-glances at me but responds to her hands instead of me. “I don’t have a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
She raises her head and turns to me fully, giving me the scathing look I’m becoming immune to. “You don’t understand.”
“Tell me again what I don’t understand.” Before she can release that annoyed breath, I continue. “Oh right, how much pressure you’re under? How it can only ever be you who makes things happen? Someone might think you were the president with how often you use your responsibilities as an excuse to avoid things that scare you.”
She gives me a bland look and turns to look at her grandmother. “Are we done? I have calls to return.”
Dori’s head swivels in Savannah’s direction. “If you two think you can take it from here, we can be. I know you might be limited with what you can accomplish until after Brooklyn and Wyatt’s reception, but I wanted to get it on your calendar, Liam.”
Savannah puts her hair back up in the bun, stands, and pulls her laptop to her chest. “I’m good. Liam?”
I raise my eyebrows. “I’m good. We can always discuss this more over dinner at home.”
“Good point.” Dori smiles at me. “You living with Liam will make this all the more convenient.”
Savannah stops at the door. I baited her. Right about now, she�
��s figured out that I know she was going to sneak off to try to get away from me. She peeks over her shoulder, and I raise my eyebrows in challenge. This is her chance. Stand up to her grandmother and tell her that she can’t stay with me anymore.
“Tomorrow? I’ll pick up Wok For U?” I ask.
“Sounds great.” She walks out of the office.
“That went better than expected.” Dori stands. “Thank you, Liam. I didn’t know who I was going to hand this over to. Austin is too busy and Rome, well…”
She doesn’t bother mentioning Denver. We all know he can’t handle anything like this.
I stand and kiss her cheek. “Happy to do it.”
Her wrinkled hand touches my cheek and she stares into my eyes. At least I assume she is since she still has those ridiculous glasses on. “You’ve really grown into an amazing man. A little too many tattoos, but your heart is pure gold.”
I chuckle. “Thank you.”
“You’re totally kissing up to him.” Phoenix stands. “I think I would’ve planned a kickass party.”
“That’s the problem, you see it as a party. We’re not doing keg stands and Jell-O shots.” I hug Phoenix goodbye. “Thanks for the water, kiddo.”
She rolls her eyes like the twenty-year-old that she is. “Grandma Dori, can I get off early?”
“Why?”
“I told Juno I’d help her interview guys for some girl she’s trying to set up.”
“Sure, but you can’t leave early every day.”
“I can give you a lift,” I offer. “I’m headed over to Brooklyn and Wyatt’s place. I’ll drop you at Juno’s on the way.”
Both their gazes widen.
“Why are you going there?” Dori asks.
I tilt my head and look at her. “Wyatt needs my help with the event tent for the reception.”
“Oh.”
Phoenix laughs and Dori shoots her a warning look, but Phoenix pays no attention.
“What am I missing?” I ask, unease building in my gut.
“Nothing, dear, you go and have fun with Wyatt.” Dori pats my shoulder.
I wrap my arm around Phoenix’s shoulders, escorting her out of the office.