by Piper Rayne
“What kind of burrito you got there?”
“Red hot beef.” She holds it out, offering me a bite.
I put my hand in the air. “I’m good, thanks. Where’s it from?”
She takes a bite and swallows. “7-Eleven. Don’t knock it. It was my splurge in LA.”
I give Phoenix props for trying so hard to make her dream come true. But I think she and Denver might be cut from the same cloth.
“They had Wok For U catered in. I think Savannah purposely told me after my burrito finished in the microwave, which I’m supposed to think is a privilege to use. The other day I accidentally put the popcorn in for twelve minutes instead of a minute and twenty.”
I cringe.
“Yeah. There was talk about banning me from the microwave, but come on. It was an honest mistake.”
I sniff. “I think I can still smell it.”
She laughs and punches me in the upper arm. “Funny.”
I’m not joking. That scent lingers for eternity.
I hear Savannah talking to someone, and Phoenix detours us another way.
“I know you work here, but I think we’re supposed to go that way.” I point in the opposite direction.
She crunches up the burrito wrapper as her eyes follow my finger. “Oh, Savannah is in a meeting that way, and if I take you past the office, you’re sure to distract her.”
Distract her in a good way, I hope.
“Phoenix Bailey having consideration for others? Has hell frozen over?”
She punches me in the arm again, and we arrive in the conference room a moment later. I can still overhear Savannah. She’s telling the other person that Bailey Timber can’t afford to pay more, but she’ll see what she can do on the benefits.
Grandma Dori’s sounds out next. “We just upped their benefits last year. I understand the tough spot they’re in, but we’re not in a better one.”
What? Is Bailey Timber having problems? They’re a staple of this community.
Phoenix shuts the door of the conference room. “Orange chicken and fried rice. Li said he made special fortunes.”
“I don’t even wanna know.”
She snags a cookie and sits at the head of the conference table, pointing toward an empty chair. “So tell me, Liam Kelly, what are your intentions with my sister?”
I quirk my eyebrow, and she laughs. We both know I’m not answering, and she probably doesn’t really care unless I hurt Savannah. Then I’d see the wrath of Phoenix Bailey. She might seem like she doesn’t care about her family, but she does. She’s just a self-absorbed twenty-year-old like all twenty-year-olds.
“How’s Sedona?” I lean back in my chair.
“Fine, I guess.” She rolls her eyes.
The twins might be opposites, but they’re entwined in each other’s lives regardless of whether they share the same bedroom or are thousands of miles apart. With Sedona in New York for school and only returning for family functions, I imagine Phoenix feels like Denver did when Rome went to Europe to study under the famous chefs. The difference is, Denver had me. Phoenix is living with her older brother and his wife while they try for a baby. Her dream has died—at least for the time being.
“What does fine mean?” I ask.
“That douche Jamison is back in the picture, I guess.”
“The foreign exchange student she was dating your senior year?”
“Jeez, no one could call you a dumb jock.”
I shake my head. “Watch it with the stones. I can hurl boulders back if I choose to.”
She smiles, a bring-it-on one, but the last thing I would do is razz Phoenix when she’s healing a bruised ego after returning from LA. “Anyway, she’s talking about bringing him home after she graduates.”
“I thought he was some hot-shot soccer player in Europe now?”
A hollow laugh escapes her. “He was, but he’s playing for the North American Soccer League now.”
I act as if that’s impressive, but I don’t follow soccer, so I really wouldn’t know.
“It’s like the minors for baseball,” Phoenix clarifies. She’s obviously searched out answers. “He’s all Sedona can talk about. It’s nauseating. And she wants to be a travel writer, but how is that going to happen?”
“Your mom did it and she was based here in Alaska.”
Phoenix’s gaze shifts to the table. The mention of her mom is a sore spot. I wish I hadn’t asked about Sedona.
Lucky for us, Grandma Dori comes in to join us. “Liam,” she coos.
What can I say? The woman loves me.
“Dori.” I stand and kiss her cheek.
“Savannah will be right in. She’s finishing up a meeting.” Dori looks at Phoenix, and she nods. What are these two planning? “Phoenix would be happy to get you a drink.”
Dori and I look at Phoenix, but she’s inspecting her nails now.
“Phoenix? Drinks?” Dori nudges.
Phoenix looks up. “Sure. I’ll have an iced tea.” She returns to examining her nails.
Dori sighs next to me. “No, dear, you get the drinks.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll be back.” She slides her chair out and leaves the room.
“I’m not sure her heart is in it,” I say and sit back down.
Dori takes the seat Phoenix vacated. “I know, but until she figures out her next step, she needs to learn what the real world is like.”
I love Grandma Dori. She’s a great mentor to not only me but all her grandchildren. I’m not sure I agree with Phoenix working at Bailey Timber though. If anything, this will turn her off becoming a responsible adult with a nine-to-five job.
The light bulb goes off in my head. I get it now. Dori’s showing her what her life might be like if she gives up on her dream. Sly Dori.
“Hungry? Eat, Liam.” My stomach growls as she speaks and Dori laughs.
I stand from my chair. “Can I fix you a plate?”
Phoenix opens the conference room door, and I catch Savannah’s rising voice in the background. She looks at Dori, sighs, and at the other end of the table, cracks open her iced tea bottle. Dori waits silently for Phoenix to look at her.
Finally Phoenix notices. “What?”
“Liam might like a drink,” Dori says.
“I’m good, Phoenix.” I wave her off.
“You’re not going to eat without a drink. Phoenix.” Dori’s tone is the one she gave us when she babysat the Baileys and I happened to be over. It has a bite to it, suggesting Phoenix not test her. A few of the Baileys are immune to that tone, Phoenix being one of them.
“Tell me where to get them and I’m happy to do it,” I offer.
“No, Liam, Phoenix will get you a drink.” Her eyes shoot invisible lasers at Phoenix.
“Ugh!” Phoenix sighs dramatically, sliding her chair out from the table and standing. “What do you want, Liam?”
“I’d love a water.”
“And I’ll have a Diet Coke, dear.” Dori smiles at her.
Phoenix pushes the door open and Savannah can still be heard. Where are they and why has no one shut the door wherever she is?
“She really should try her hand at acting instead of singing.” Dori puts her fingers on her temples and massages.
I put a plate of orange chicken and rice in front of Dori. I’m about to sit down myself when the door opens, and Savannah appears.
I missed her this morning because I’m trying to be a gentleman and give her space. It’s clear now that I missed out on some beat-off material, because her dress is enough to turn my mouth into a water fountain. All I can do is commit her to memory. I haven’t seen her this dressed down for work the entire time she’s lived with me. Maybe it’s because we’re in record heat, or maybe the meditation is having an effect on her. Either way, she looks good enough to eat—for hours.
“Sorry I’m late. I’m glad you started without me.” She glances at Dori.
They share a look of worry, and I realize maybe Savannah is under more pressure than just be
ing the mother hen of her family. Could she be trying to keep a failing company from sinking?
Nineteen
Savannah
Liam stares at me as though I’m naked. His tongue skates over his full bottom lip as his gaze slides down my body. He takes in the patterned, clingy wrap dress I’m wearing and his hands clench on the table. Forgetting the fight I just got into with the union leader would be divine right now. Liam’s hands could make me forget that the workers’ demands are more than we can give them.
“I’m going to help Phoenix. She probably forgot she was getting us drinks.” Grandma Dori stands. I’m vaguely aware of what she said until she touches my shoulder. “What would you like to drink?”
I blink and peel my gaze off Liam. “I’ll just grab my water from my desk.”
“I can get it. You two eat. I’ll be right back.” Grandma Dori leaves.
Liam clears his throat. “I love your dress.” He leans back, not shy about his appraisal.
“Thanks for mentally stripping me just now.” I head to the buffet table because I’m starving.
“You’re welcome. Thanks for enjoying it so much.”
I whip my head around, and that smirk I love is on his face. “Is this the way it’s going to be now? We openly say what we’re thinking?”
I take my plate and sit across from him. His eyes dip to my chest as my wrap dress falls open a little bit. I tighten and tuck it, my cheeks heating.
“Are you okay with that?” he asks. “I never said my attraction to you had waned.”
“You said you weren’t going to openly flirt with me.” I fork a piece of chicken.
“For that dinner. But if you expect me to go through the next five weeks without noticing all your… assets when you’re wearing a dress that could be pulled open with one tug on a piece of fabric, you’re fooling yourself.” He scoops up his fried rice.
“It’s a tug and button,” I clarify with a wink.
He laughs. “I could still undress you in under two seconds.”
“Are you hoping I take the bait and make you prove it?”
His face reddens. Liam Kelly embarrassed? That’s not something you see every day.
“I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but I always find the harder I work for something, the sweeter the reward.”
My lady parts go into a flurry of activity—clenching while nerve endings fire to life. I shove the biggest piece of chicken into my mouth in order to shut myself up from provoking flirtatious comments from him. Liam smiles over his fork, and I bury my head in my dish.
The door opens, and Dori and Phoenix rejoin us, arguing about time spent on the computer. Dori’s telling her that the IT department checks all activity. They don’t actually, but they could if we asked. This Phoenix-in-the-office experiment needs to come to an end.
Grandma Dori looks in horror at the bulge in my cheek. “Savannah dear, a lady should never eat that much food at one time.”
For being a feminist and pro-woman, Grandma Dori still holds on to some of those stupid beliefs about how a woman should act. Funny how she shacked me up with Liam in the first place but is flabbergasted that I have too much food in my mouth.
Ignoring her, Phoenix sits at the opposite end of the table.
We chat about all the siblings as we eat. Austin and Holly are topic number one since Phoenix is the only one who sees them now that they’re actively trying to have a baby.
“I worry it’s taking too long,” Grandma Dori admits.
Compared to Rome and Harley, it does feel that way. But Harley gets pregnant if Rome just looks at her.
“It’s only really been, like, a month. She could already be pregnant for all we know,” I say.
“True. Why did they tell us anyway? Now I feel like I’m waiting for Christmas to come,” Grandma Dori says.
Phoenix raises her hand. “I told everyone.”
Of course she did.
“All right, let’s talk about the charity event now that Brooklyn and Wyatt’s reception is over.” Grandma Dori gets down to business.
“I was gonna go around town tomorrow and inquire about what everyone is willing to donate,” Liam pipes up.
“I haven’t had time yet, but I have a list of venues to call. That said, I was thinking about doing something a little different.” I bite my lower lip. Liam clocks the movement, and I let it go.
“I still don’t understand why I can’t plan this thing.” Phoenix practically pouts.
“What are you thinking?” Grandma Dori asks me.
“I thought about having it open to the entire town. I know we usually sell tickets and have tables and make it really fancy, but maybe we have a silent auction. Do it in the square with the gazebo and get food catered in—”
“That’s a big endeavor, Savannah.”
I was certain Grandma Dori wouldn’t agree, but I had to try. “We could do art in the park. We’ll need pictures and art pieces for the new extension. Maybe we make it a contest or something.”
Liam buries his head in the plate. I guess he’s not going to help me win this fight. Either that, or he thinks it’s the worst idea ever.
“I think the people who donate money like the exclusivity of the event. You have all the people outbidding each other just to beat the other one.”
Grandma Dori has a point. People with big checkbooks generally have the egos to match.
“I just think that we’re doing this for the library, which will be for everyone to enjoy. Why not make everyone involved in the donation process and make them feel like they’re contributing?”
Dori sighs.
Liam peeks up at me but says nothing.
“I don’t think it will work,” Grandma Dori says. “The silent auction is okay but we don’t have a ton of time to arrange something in the square that the entire town could participate in. Let’s just stick with the gala and we’ll revisit your idea of opening it up to everyone for the next event.”
I slouch back in my chair and push my plate away, sipping the water Phoenix brought to me.
“I’d like a big cake, maybe decorated like a stack of books or something. We should pick a theme. What’s a popular children’s book? Did either of you have a favorite?” Grandma Dori asks.
“Charlotte’s Web,” I answer.
“Cat in the Hat,” Liam says.
“Tikki Tikki Tembo,” Phoenix says.
I’ve never even heard of it. All three of us turn our heads her way.
“What?” She sips her iced tea.
“There’s a ton we could do, and everyone has their favorite,” I say.
“We could do different stations with the themes,” Liam says. “Maybe we pick, like, six books and the desserts could be themed that way. Maybe we could figure out a way to do a fun poll and let the guests decide either when they purchase the table or when they arrive.”
“I don’t understand,” Grandma Dori says.
Liam looks at me and I nod that I do understand, which makes him smile. I shouldn’t like that something I did gave him enjoyment.
“Let’s say Smokin’ Guns bought a table,” he says. “I’m asked at the time of purchase, ‘Out of these six books, what’s your favorite?’ Then my table is decorated like that book. Or you could tell me I’ll get to pick them when I get there. We have the tables set up with the themes ahead of time, and sponsors pick when they arrive.”
Grandma Dori seems to think it over. “I love it. I’d love to get a poll going to pick the books.” Her eyes light up. “Phoenix, you can handle that. Email Buzz Wheel and ask them if they can include a link to the poll for the next couple of weeks. We’ll get it up on the library web page and make handouts. And see, Savannah, this way the town is involved.”
I give her a tight smile.
“This is perfect. But I think I like the way they pick a table when they arrive.” She scribbles on the pad of paper she brought. “Savannah, you’ll talk to Greta down at Sweet Suga Things?”
“Once we figure out
the books.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Grandma Dori points at me. “I’m so excited I got ahead of myself.” She giggles.
I don’t, and Liam chuckles. Phoenix is lost in her head somewhere, so she doesn’t even seem to know what’s going on.
“Savannah, you secure the venue. Liam, start going around to businesses. Phoenix—Phoenix?” Grandma Dori inhales a deep breath.
“Phoenix!” I yell.
She startles in her chair. It tips back and she loses her center of gravity but recovers quickly, grabbing the edge of the table, her face ghost-white. “Jesus.”
“Get the poll going. Let’s come up with a list for them to vote on.”
We decide on the books to include in the poll, and even Phoenix’s pick gets on the list. After it’s done, Grandma Dori and Phoenix excuse themselves, leaving me alone with Liam. We’re both done eating, and I’m highly aware that we’re surrounded by windows. I can probably expect to find myself in Buzz Wheel again.
“Why don’t you push your ideas more?” he asks.
“It’s no use. Grandma Dori always gets her way. She’s technically the owner.” I’d like to point out that it’s not as though he came to my defense. He could’ve sided with me and maybe she would’ve folded, although I highly doubt it. Two years into taking over the company, I tried to get more ideas of my own into play, but Grandma Dori likes things her way. How can I refute her advice on what’s right and wrong to do for Bailey Timber? She’s been a part of it for the majority of her life.
“You never know until you try.”
I nod. “Is that lesson number two? I have to tell off Grandma Dori?”
He laughs. “No. I’m not going to be that forceful with you, but I was thinking that maybe you could come along on a couple visits to the local businesses, asking for donations?”
My forehead wrinkles. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why?” He leans back, crossing his arms.
“Because everyone in this town loves you. Me, not so much. We don’t have to pretend you didn’t overhear my heated discussion with the union rep. Those people live in this town. They think I want to keep all the Bailey money to myself. Now I’m going to ask their sister, brother, cousins, and whoever else to donate something to give away during an exclusive dinner only accessible to the wealthiest people in the area?”