Best (Change Series Book 3)

by Melanie Jayne

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Best

  Book 3 in the Change Series

  By Melanie Jayne

  Copyright © 2017 Melanie Jayne

  All Rights Reserved

  ISBN: 0-9864184-6-3

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9864184-6-4

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except for use in review, the reproduction or use of this work in any part is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.

  Best- May 2017 by Melanie Jayne for Big Dog Publishing

  Publisher’s Note

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Any mistakes are the author’s own and may be intentional and fictional.

  For David Panak

  My advisor, hand-holder, and close friend.

  On paper we are an odd pairing, but in reality it works.

  Achieving your dreams isn’t an easy path.

  We all carry the scars and bruises from the trip,

  but the payoff is worth every damn ache and pain.

  I’ll always have a bag packed to take that trip by your side.

  You must take personal responsibility.

  You cannot change the circumstances,

  the seasons, or the wind,

  but you can change yourself.

  That is something

  you have charge of.

  Jim Rohn

  Chapter One

  Tye

  I wrapped the coffee-brown towel around my hips and ran a hand through my hair. Although a comb sat on the vanity, I didn’t like using someone else’s. Resting my hands on the rim of the sink, I stared hard at myself in Holly’s mirror and felt a slight chill on my damp skin from the air conditioning.

  This is it. The internal dialog that had been on stuck on replay for the last three weeks echoed in my head. I can’t believe I’m doing this, one voice said full of disdain. This is how you get what you want, like what Forde and Tony have.

  “Time to do this.” I pushed away from the sink, while ignoring the apprehensiveness that hit me. No second guessing once a decision was made. A Burke did not show weakness—ever.

  I strode into her girly pink bedroom. I hated this room. It was too frilly, too lacy for a woman like Holly who wasn’t soft in any way.

  She sat in her bed with her back resting against the headboard tapping away on her phone. She didn’t even look up.

  “So...” I started lamely. For a man who used his words daily to sway judges or arbitrators, I was starting this important conversation in an awkward manner

  She stopped looking at her phone and transferred her attention to me. Large green eyes gave me a wary glance.

  Perching on the opposite end of the bed, I waited until our gazes met. Stop being a pussy. “Do you ever think about this thing?” Okay, so maybe I should have planned a better opening line...

  “What thing?”

  Holly knew damn well what I was getting at. I could tell by the way she her eyes slid away. “Between us.” I motioned with my finger at her then me.

  She shifted and folded her long legs so that she sat straighter, Indian style. “First of all, there is no ‘thing’ and, secondly, there is no ‘us.’”

  I started to interrupt, but she continued, neatly cutting me off.

  “Tye, I told you that before we got together the first time.”

  Yeah, she had. Holly Higgins did not “do relationships”. She’d mentioned it, but that was before we fucked almost every night. Something that might cause a guy to assume there was a relationship, and it was deepening.

  The smile she flashed failed to reassure. “We aren’t those kinds of people, hon.” She pulled the sheet tighter over her luscious breasts.

  “Yeah, but you have to admit we get each other.” I gave her the grin that had swayed many women to my point of view. “I haven’t heard you complaining.”

  Her mouth tightened. “You knew we were temporary. I mean, you like to fuck. You’re practically a legend in this town. We’ve had fun, but that’s all it is.”

  One of the reasons I can charge four hundred and fifty dollars an hour as the top family law attorney in Indianapolis is that I know when I’m not going to win. I tried another tack. “Do you ever get lonely?”

  “Oh, God, not you, too.” She blew out a breath then slid out from under the sheet and moved to her closet door to grab her robe. She tied the belt around her waist then turned to face me. “Granted Forde and Layla are happy, and watching Tony hold little Olivia makes me want to be Zoe for one night, but you and me?” She snorted. “We aren’t like that. Being tied down to one partner...a home and kids—that’s not us, Tye.”

  I used to think that was true but, lately, I’d begun to wonder. Sure, some of this had probably come from watching my best friend fall in love with a woman who thought he was a superhero. Their connection had proved unshakeable when Forde learned he had an eighteen-year-old son. Now, he and his wife were expecting their first child together. I liked hanging out at their apartment, lazing on the huge sofa, eating the snacks Layla brought us, and laughing at nothing. It made me feel accepted, loved. Almost part of a family...

  Then I’d met Tony and Zoe Alessi. Tony now worked for Forde doing consulting work. At least, that’s what they called it. However, Tony wasn’t some desk-jockey investigator. He worked his contacts out on the streets, liked to mix it up. I sensed in him, despite his happy home life, the same hunger all the men working at Forde Limited had. They didn’t have problems closing a case by any means necessary.

  Watching Tony interact with his family only deepened my growing dissatisfaction. Tony had a coldass stare—except around his wife and daughter. The fact Zoe was older than Tony hadn’t stopped him from falling madly in love with her. He didn’t care whether the entire world knew it, and now the couple had a seven-month-old daughter, who had the loudest scream I’ve ever heard. But she was adorable when she slept.

  My firm employed Forde Limited to do investigative work. The two businesses took up the fifth floor of the National Bank building in downtown Indianapolis. It was a good relationship. When they weren’t handling my work, they did whatever it was they do. I didn’t ask. T
hat was our deal. Years ago when I was starting out, Forde had promised my dad he’d keep our business relationship clean. As long as they did good work and my clients are happy, that’s all that mattered.

  That’s not us. I gave Holly a sharp appraising look. She had issues connecting or at least that was her excuse for changing cities often and never looking back. “Maybe it’s only you, Holly. You’re the one who keeps moving, never letting anyone get close.”

  Holly gave me a pointed look. “I think you should get dressed and go.”

  I raised my hands in surrender. “Forget I said anything,” I muttered, not liking how she was making me feel. I mean, I’m a catch, one of the most sought after single men in town. She should have been happy I was willing to explore a deeper relationship with her.

  She bent over and when she straightened, she was holding my pants. She then threw them at my head.

  I grabbed them out of the air before they hit me in the face. “Holly, you don’t have to get pissy. I’ll go.” I stood and started looking for the rest of my clothes. “You should be happy I offered.”

  She muttered something I couldn’t hear and turned to walk out of her bedroom.

  After dressing, I headed into the living room.

  She was waiting, leaning against the breakfast bar, her expression set. “We’re done.” Without another word, she headed to her front door.

  I followed her. Time to mend fences. “Now, Holly, don’t be like that…” I tried to pull her into my arms.

  She blocked me by pushing my arms away. “No. It’s for the best. Forde knows I’m looking at Vale, or maybe Aspen to work the ski season. Tonight just proved it’s time to go.”

  I could tell by her intonation and steady gaze she meant everything she’d said. Well fuck.

  Drawing a deep breath, I nodded. “Okay, babe. Whatever you say.” I opened her door and glanced over my shoulder. “But remember, we won’t be doing this again.”

  Her chin angled upward. “That’s perfectly fine with me.”

  My back teeth ground together. “Hold onto to that tomorrow night when you get lonely.” I walked through the door and into the hallway, my heart beginning to thud dully at my temples.

  “No problem, Tye,” I heard right before the door slammed.

  I walked down the steps to the first floor with my head held high. “Bring on the bitches,” I said under my breath. Fuck her. Yeah, I knew I wasn’t in love with her, but we both liked sports, working out—and sex. As far as I was concerned, she was a good match. “Plenty more out there,” I told myself as I stomped toward my black Range Rover Sport.

  Once I sat behind the wheel and cranked up the Foo Fighters, I realized the next several weeks were going to suck. I’d still have to see Holly at work. I smacked the steering wheel.

  Now, I’d have to cut back on my visits to Forde’s office until she left. Not because I was hurt by her rejection. No, I’d make myself scarce because I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. My tension bled slowly away, and I smiled ruefully. At least, that was the story I was going to spin.

  Chapter Two

  Billie

  I pulled into a short driveway that belonged to a cute white house with a green shingled roof. The small front porch was decorated with matching hanging ferns. I checked my make-up in the rearview mirror and gave myself the summary of the pep talk I’d been reciting on my drive to Tony and Zoe Alessi’s house. This was a dinner set up by our mutual friend that lived in Denver. Anna Jacobs was sure that Zoe and I would get along, and since I was new to Indy, she’d arranged this meeting.

  I climbed out of my car and straightened my sky blue maxi skirt while sucking in my stomach to measure if I should loosen the wide brown leather belt around my waist. Squaring my shoulders, I walked to the front door, hoping that I didn’t look as nervous as I felt. I’d always been a little shy but, now, I wasn’t sure how I would do.

  Before I climbed the two steps to the porch, the front door opened and a brunette stepped out. “Hi, you must be Billie.”

  She had a great smile, warm and friendly. She wore a red tank, black capris, and was barefoot. “You’re Zoe, right?” I returned her smile.

  “Please come in.” She moved backward as I entered. “I want to warn you,” she said, speaking rather quickly, “and we won’t be offended if you turn around and leave, believe me...”

  I paused and felt my heart rate accelerate. “Is something wrong?” Oh God, had Anna said something? I’d be devastated if she’d shared my past when I specifically asked her not to do so. I wanted the chance to make friends who liked me for me and didn’t feel sorry for me.

  Zoe wrinkled her nose. “It’s our daughter. When she cries, well, sometimes she hits this note that causes all the neighborhood dogs to howl. I swear it’s inhuman.”

  Was she joking? I knew they had a baby. “Oh, wow,” I stalled. “Thanks for the heads up, but I’m pretty good with kids.”

  A door closed in the distance and boots hit the floor.

  “Hey, you must be Billie. Did you find the house okay?” A huge man with a baby cradled in one arm came around the corner of the hallway.

  “Y-yes, it was easy,” I sputtered. The guy was gorgeous, and the way he held the squirming infant made him ten times hotter.

  He stretched his free hand out for me to shake. “I’m Tony.”

  I liked his grip. It wasn’t too firm, yet it wasn’t weak either, just because I was a woman. “And who is this?” I smiled at the baby who stared at me with huge blue eyes.

  “That’s Olivia. Keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully, her daddy can keep her happy while you’re here.” Zoe’s expression was full of love. “You don’t want to scare off a new friend do you, Livy?”

  I softened my voice and took a step closer. “Hi, Olivia.”

  The baby kicked her feet and waived one arm at me.

  “She likes you.” Tony shifted his daughter so she could clearly see me.

  “Maybe before I leave, she’ll let me hold her.” I made big eyes at the little girl.

  “Fingers crossed,” Zoe sounded hopeful. “Oh my gosh, I’m a terrible hostess. We don’t need to be standing here.”

  “Please come in. Take a seat anywhere.” Tony motioned with his empty arm. “What can I get you to drink?”

  I settled on one end of a plush sofa, the kind that had wide seat cushions clearly made for a big guy.

  “We have beer, wine, soft drinks, diet and not. You name it, and I think we can find it,” Zoe added.

  Tony handed Olivia to Zoe who had taken a seat on the opposite end of the sofa from me.

  “Diet, please.” I smoothed my skirt over my thighs.

  “Me, too,” Zoe added.

  He left to get our drinks.

  “I hope you don’t have any food allergies. I should have asked.” Zoe shifted Olivia higher against her shoulder.

  “I eat just about everything, except sushi. I tried it, but yuck.” I gave a fake shiver and grimaced not only at the thought of sushi, but also that I was rambling.

  “This is a little like a first date, isn’t it?” Zoe’s voice was a little raspy and definitely sexy.

  I think I could like her, the thought burst into my head. “Anna and Bill were so kind to me in Denver. When I told them I was thinking of moving…”

  Tony returned with our drinks. “Yeah, I was curious about that. Why Indy? Are you doing a reverse Payton Manning move? Then onto Tennessee, finally settling in New Orleans?” His smile took the sting out of his question.

  I took a sip of my drink. The bubbles tickled my tongue. “Ah, a football reference,” I chuckled. “I’m in the process of trying to decide what to do career wise. I have my Masters in Library Science, and I’m thinking about getting a law degree so I can be a law librarian. The program here is good, so I thought I’d check into it.”

  “You’re a librarian?” Zoe was looking me up and down.

  “Yep.” I guess I didn’t fit the mold of what most people think of when the
y picture a small town’s librarian. I’m five-five and a solid size sixteen, with lots of boobs and ass, and a small waist, which made the aforementioned boobs and ass more noticeable. Some people said that I was pretty, but I think it was more that my coloring was striking, resembling the classic surfer chick, with the combination of my light blue eyes, white blonde hair, and golden-tinted skin. Add the fact I grew up in California, and still dressed in the boho chic style, so yeah, I break the cardigan and pencil skirt rule.

  “Wow,” she murmured. “You don’t look like any librarian that I’ve ever seen.”

  “Zoe,” Tony chided softly.

  The woman blushed prettily. “I mean, you’re so...well, you know... I picture a librarian as uptight and a little grouchy….”

  Tony sat in a huge wing chair to Zoe’s left. “Honey, you aren’t helping.” His voice was full of warmth, and he was trying to fight a smile.

  I chuckled. “I used to get that all of the time.” I didn’t want Zoe to be uncomfortable. “Then my aunt got sick, and I moved to Florida to help her. If it makes you feel any better, down there I worked as a substitute teacher.”

  “I bet you dazzled all of the boys,” Zoe said.

  “Nah, they weren’t that impressed.” I really didn’t want to discuss Florida. I nodded to Tony. “Anna said you moved to Indianapolis so that you could go to school.” I hoped we could change to the topic.

  “Yeah, I was accepted into the Physical Therapy program at I.U.”

  “But he’s taking a break to work. I think he still craves excitement.” Zoe took over the telling. “Through my friend, Layla, we met Lucas Forde, and now Tony works at his company.”

  I nodded because they seemed comfortable with that change.

  “So, while you explore your next move, what are going to do?” She then glanced at Tony and did some silent couple communication. I knew this because he looked heavenward and gave a small negative shake of his head.

  “I’m going to look for a job, something to do in the interim. It’s on my list.” My “To Do” list was ever-growing, but it gave my days structure and that was important to my healing.