Miss Understanding (The Miss Series Book 1)

by Aubrey Bondurant

  He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. Maybe fifty. I guess to be safe, figure seventy-five.”

  “What time is the funeral? And what are the arrangements?”

  “It’s at eleven o’clock, so I guess lunch-type food. Maybe heavy appetizers. What do you mean by arrangements?”

  “I mean is there a gravesite gathering after the service and then the reception? Or would the reception be straight after? It gives me an idea of timing.”

  “It’ll be straight after. He’ll be cremated.”

  “Do you have a specific food in mind?”

  “I could care less what is served. Anyhow, I could use some time. I’ll have the next round of edits to you in a couple of hours.”

  I was being dismissed. Liam was back to rubbing his temples. I conjured up some sympathy and reminded myself not everyone dealt with grief the same way.

  “I’m taking the truck to the store. Need anything?” I called up the stairs two hours later.

  No answer. So I climbed up and peeked into the office.

  Liam was sound asleep with his head on his desk. God, he almost looked human and way nicer in slumber. And way more handsome with his features softened.

  I shook my head at the thought and backed out of the room quietly to descend the stairs. I left a note, then grabbed the keys and went out the door.

  The Food Lion was a hopping place. Probably because of the impending weather alert calling for snow. I only had a few things to get there, which included wine, wine, and another bottle of wine. Considering it was Saturday night and I was stuck with my boss, well, I needed it. I also needed some recommendations regarding catering. Where better to get them than at the local supermarket? I asked Peggy, the same checkout lady I’d chatted with the last time I’d been here. She seemed to know everyone in town.

  “Catering in this immediate area isn’t great. I recommend getting someone from Blacksburg. It’s ninety minutes away, but most will deliver for an extra fee.”

  “Thanks, Peggy.” I guess I knew what I’d be doing the rest of the afternoon. Searching online for reputable caterers. The last thing I wanted was to screw up the food for my boss's father’s funeral.

  I returned to the house in a little over an hour and was unlocking the front door when it was yanked open. I almost lost my balance at the unexpected action. Looking up, I saw Liam’s pinched face.

  “Where the hell were you?”

  “Uh, at the store.”

  “You don’t get paid to go to the store. I needed you here, and you weren’t.”

  “Really? Did you need me while you were napping? Because last time I saw you, you were facedown on the desk.”

  His entire neck turned red. “I was only out for a moment.”

  “Sure. Sure. What did you need?”

  His face softened as though he’d realized he’d been overreacting. “I need you to make these edits and send the document back to me.”

  After putting my two bags down on the table, I took the paper from his hands. “Okay.”

  “What did you get at the store?”

  “Not nearly enough wine.”

  Although it was nearing eight o’clock in the evening, we were both still working. This time in the living room with files spread out everywhere. Up until this point, I would’ve argued everything I needed to do for him could’ve been done while I remained in the LA office. But as I went through documents to highlight name references, I knew this case was better served with us both working late and together. I also recognized it was easier to go through papers than to try to stay organized with electronic copies. Again, not something I would admit.

  Dinner had consisted of Parmesan-crusted pork chops and wilted spinach. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a man hoover down his meal as quickly as Liam had. But again, he hardly said anything. Definitely no compliments.

  I shivered at the chill in the room. I was still wearing my yoga pants and sweatshirt, and he’d changed over into jeans and a sweater. I’d never seen the man in denim before, and it was quite the different look for him. Made him appear younger. Sort of like he had when he’d been sleeping earlier.

  Getting up to stretch my legs, I eyed the wood stove. I had no clue how to start a fire, but how hard could it be? That being said, the wood was outside, and it was already dark. Perhaps it would be a task for tomorrow. “Need anything?”

  “No.” He didn’t look up but just sighed, making it clear I annoyed him one hundred percent of the time.

  First, I finished putting the food away and gathered the dishes.

  “I said I’d get to those later,” he grumbled from the couch.

  “It’s fine. I’m only soaking them.” Even that pained me because I’d rather get them done and out of the sink. But on the other hand, I wasn’t opposed to him pitching in.

  Deciding what the hell, I reached for a wine glass and poured the red. It had been calling to me all night. One glass certainly wouldn’t hinder my ability to word search. As I took my seat again, I sipped some of the rich Malbec and set down my glass. I found his gaze resting on me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Having a glass of wine and going back to work.”

  His disapproval was obvious. So what? If he was going to be annoyed anyway, I’d give him a reason this time around. I wasn’t going so far as to throw back shots and party, but he had hijacked my Saturday night. And frankly, I needed a glass of wine in order to deal with him.

  “Can you scan these three pages of my notes and email them to me?” he asked, holding up the papers.

  “Sure.” I was getting up to take the pages and climb the steps when the doorbell rang.

  Our gazes locked in surprise.

  “Maybe it’s Shirley to check on the house?” I posed.

  But he’d apparently decided he wasn’t curious, after all. He simply went back to his laptop and ignored the summons.

  Guess it was up to me to answer the door. I did so to see a stranger on the doorstep.

  She was pretty with blond hair and a bright smile. “Hi. I’m Allison. Liam’s sister.”

  “Oh, hello. I’m Kendall. Nice to meet you. Uh, come in.”

  “Thank you. Smells like snow out there for sure.”

  As soon as she walked in, Liam stood up from the couch. He looked none too pleased at the intrusion. “Allison, what are you doing here?”

  “Oh, you know. I was in the neighborhood. Wanted to check out the digs.”

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I thought I was clear how I felt about drop-ins.”

  “Tough. I’m your big sister. Like I’ve ever listened to your suggestions.”

  Too funny. Her gaze scanned the room briefly before landing on me. “So, Kendall. You’re adorable. How long have you worked for my brother?”

  Awkward, yet she had an instant likeability about her. “Um. Almost four months now. But I’ve been with the firm over three years.”

  “What did you guys do for dinner?” She walked into the kitchen, taking off her jacket as she did so. Clearly, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

  “Oh, I cooked.”

  “He has you making his meals?” I could tell it hit a nerve, especially by the way she was glaring at him.

  “She cooks whether I want her to or not. I’ll probably end up gaining five pounds by the end of the week.”

  Asshole. “I enjoy cooking, and since your brother was nice enough to pay for the food, I’ve made the meals.”

  “Mm. I’d say he got the better end of the deal.”

  I was tempted to fist-bump her.

  “Ms. Tate. Can you get those documents scanned for me?”

  In other words, I was dismissed. “Sure. Um, nice to meet you, Allison.” Because I was sure she wouldn’t be here once I returned.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Liam

  What the hell was my sister doing here? Never mind, scratch the question. I knew exactly what she was doing here. She was nosey as hell.

  �
�Allison, as you can see, we’re working.”

  Her roaming gaze landed on Kendall’s blanket and glass of wine. Of course she did a fake cough while muttering, “Sure, she’s just your assistant.”

  “Maybe she’s an alcoholic who has poor circulation for all I know.”

  “I heard that,” came Kendall’s voice from up the stairs. Evidently sound carried in this house.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose and watched my assistant come back down, all smiles for my sister. “Would you care for a glass of wine, Allison?”

  “No, she can’t stay,” came my reply at the same time as my sister’s: “I’d love one. Thank you.”

  “I see why you drink now, Kendall. Tell me. How is my little brother to work for?”

  I witnessed my assistant’s blush. “Jesus, Allison. You’re putting her on the spot.”

  “Yeah, I mean it’s not like I could tell you if your brother was a dick,” came Kendall’s retort.

  Now it was my turn to go red in the face. I had no doubt there was a healthy measure of truth in her words.

  My sister found it hilarious. “True. But seriously, is he a dick?”

  I held my breath, bracing for her response. I knew for a fact she had every reason to say yes.

  But she surprised me. “Your brother is professional and hard working. I respect his work ethic. Also, he’s not big on sharing his personal life, which is why I can guess he’s so unbelievably uncomfortable right now.”

  Allison laughed. “I can only imagine he is. But I’m nosey, so I couldn’t not take the opportunity to meet you.”

  She took the glass of wine Kendall offered. Taking a sip, she commented, “Mm. Good wine. Plus, I don’t get out of the house much or see my brother very often.”

  Guilt welled up. It had been a year since I’d seen her or her family.

  “Yeah. You work at home?” Kendall asked.

  “You could say that. I have two girls. One four, the other just turned two. What did you cook for dinner?”

  “Oh, tonight was Parmesan-crusted pork chops and wilted spinach. I have leftovers if you’re hungry?”

  “Yeah? Sure. I had a couple of my daughter’s chicken nuggets and cold spaghetti noodles, so grown-up food sounds divine.”

  It had been divine. Once again, she’d knocked it out of the park. I tried to ignore them both as they got along like long-lost friends at the kitchen table. I think my sister complimented Kendall on the food at least a dozen times. I’m not sure I’d remembered to even do so once.

  I was about ready to call it a night, when Allison posed a question I hadn’t been expecting.

  “How about you come over tomorrow night, Kendall? We’re having a Sunday night family dinner at my place with my mom. She’d love to meet you.”

  Fuck. Kendall’s uncertain gaze met mine.

  “I’m sure she has other things she’d rather do,” I offered.

  Allison laughed. “Oh, yeah, it’s a real happening nightlife in Tazewell on a Sunday evening. Or you know what? We could go bowling tomorrow after dinner. Chelsea has been bugging me to go for weeks, and she’d love to go with her uncle Liam.”

  Double fuck.

  “I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable,” Kendall started to say, but my sister was never used to hearing the word no.

  “Nope. You won’t. Matter of fact, you can help me decide what to make tomorrow night for dinner. I’m not a great cook.”

  “I thought we could order pizza,” I interrupted, not wanting my assistant to go to any more trouble than she already had when it came to preparing meals.

  Both women frowned. “I was hoping for something better. Maybe Mexican food,” Allison suggested.

  Kendall’s beautiful face lit up. “I could make enchiladas if you want to get all the fixings?”

  The word enchilada made my sister practically drool. “Oh my God. Are you sure? I mean I love enchiladas, and since there isn’t a decent Mexican food place for miles, it would be amazing.”

  “Yeah? Great. I’ll go by the store tomorrow and pick up the ingredients.”

  Jesus. She was becoming a frequent shopper at the Food Lion in town. “Isn’t it supposed to snow?”

  My sister dismissed it. “Only a couple of inches. Enough to prove you haven’t become a completely useless driver by living in LA. I’ll be sure to pick up the sides. Tequila goes at the top of the list.”

  They were fast at work on items for tomorrow night’s dinner while I stewed about the intersection of professional and personal.

  By the time my sister left, I swear she and my assistant were BFFs. The front door was barely closed before I started pouring a glass of bourbon. All hope of my working longer had gone out the window.

  “I don’t have to go tomorrow,” Kendall said from behind me.

  “It’s fine.” I took a long, burning swallow.

  “I don’t think it is. You seem upset.”

  “If you don’t show up, my sister will make my night hell.”

  “Way to make me feel welcome.”

  My annoyance got the best of me, and I turned to face her. “It’s not supposed to make you feel welcome. You’re here to work. Nothing else.”

  The hurt was obvious in her expression.

  “Maybe I should’ve revised my answer and been truthful to your sister when she asked if you were a dick to work for. Don’t worry. I won’t go tomorrow night. What time did you need me to start tomorrow?”

  We stood there staring at each other. “Eight o’clock.”

  “Fine. Good night.” She turned on her heel and walked away.

  Not even the taste of my whiskey could erase my self-loathing.

  I wasn’t a man who drank to excess. Having an alcoholic father had always made me cautious of becoming too dependent on the stuff. Thus the three glasses of whiskey I’d downed the night before had me nursing a hangover this morning. It was freezing in the house. Probably time to start a fire in the woodstove. Or to have remembered to put on the heat in the bedroom when I’d gone to bed last night.

  I was a jackass who owed Kendall an apology. Frankly, if she had much-needed coffee ready for me this morning, I’d pledge my undying devotion.

  After a hot shower, I dressed in jeans and a sweater. Looking out the window, I saw there was a good inch of snow already covering the surfaces. It reminded me of my childhood when we’d pray for a snow day so we could go sledding down the neighborhood hill instead of school. A movement shifted my gaze to the corner of the back yard. I saw a figure in olive green on the ground.

  Holy shit. Kendall had fallen. I rushed down the stairs, pausing only to frantically yank on my boots before running out the back door and down the steps toward where I saw her on the ground.

  I found her laughing. Was she delirious from the cold? A bump on the head?

  “What the hell are you doing?” I asked.

  She looked up with rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and the biggest smile I’d ever seen on her face. “Making a snow angel.”

  “Why?” It was truly baffling to me.

  “Because this is my first time seeing snow.”

  Her purple sparkly boots peeked out from the giant parka, making me shake my head. She looked like a toddler poorly dressed for the weather in hand-me-downs.

  “You’d best get up before the snow seeps through all of your clothes.”

  She stuck her tongue out in response. “Go away. I’m not on the clock yet, and you’re ruining my fun.”

  “I came racing down here because I thought you’d fallen.”

  “Oh, yeah? Did you come out to rescue me? Or hope you could quickly hide the body?” she asked, holding out her gloved hand.

  I pulled her up without much effort. I’d be surprised if her petite stature weighed more than a hundred pounds. Her grin was infectious despite my hangover. “Depends. Did you make coffee?”

  Her lips twitched in a smile. “I did. I’ll even give you some. Just as soon as you help me make a snowman.”

  She
was adorable. And not in the toddler kind of way. The type of way that made me want her to hook her legs around my waist so I could take her against a wall. “You can’t make a snowman with an inch of snow.”

  She frowned. “Bummer. But maybe it’ll snow some more.”

  She trudged up the back porch steps, knocking her boots against the house before turning around. “Oh, I forgot the original reason I came out here. I need to get wood for the fireplace.”

  “I’ll take care of it. After coffee.”

  She smiled, forever a morning person and thankfully not holding a grudge about last night. “You got it.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Kendall

  I refused to let Liam ruin my good mood over seeing snow for the very first time. But he had been right about the snow seeping through to my clothes. Once I went inside, I could feel the wet and the cold. “Coffee is in the pot. I’ve gotta go change.”

  He grunted something sounding like “fine” and proceeded into the kitchen while I went into my bedroom. I’d already showered, so I made quick work of exchanging my yoga pants for jeans and my fleece for a light sweater. Too bad I didn’t have a warmer one like the one Liam had been wearing. Then again, when would I wear it in LA?

  Liam was standing in the kitchen staring at the French toast I’d made earlier this morning.

  “If you don’t want any, you don’t have to eat it. Don’t want to cause you to gain too much weight.” His comment still stung from yesterday. Then again, it was one of many that had stung.

  “Look, I—” He turned to face me, his intense eyes on me. “Jesus, you’re going to freeze.”

  My arms wrapped around my waist. “My hoodie and jacket are both wet. I have this sweater.”

  “Not warm enough. Hold on.” He was up the stairs before I could ask what he was doing. He came back down with a heavy, navy blue wool pullover sweater. “Here, put this on.”

  It looked way too warm to bother to protest. I slid it over my head and relished the instant heat.

  “It swallows you whole, but it’ll keep you warm.” He was already rolling up the sleeves for me like I was a child.