Best (Change Series Book 3)

by Melanie Jayne

  “Poor baby,” Zoe said, looking sad.

  I let out a silent sigh of relief. So, no one was going to match make. Good. I couldn’t handle a man, let alone any kind of relationship. I wasn’t ready.

  Layla pulled the napkin from under her now-empty glass and started to fold it into quarters. “I feel bad for him, but a little part of me thinks it’s about time he got some payback for all of the hearts he’s broken.”

  Our drinks arrived. Zoe had ordered a lemon drop, and Layla and I stuck to tonic water with lemon.

  “These pretty boys do have hearts,” Zoe murmured, apparently unable to let the topic drop.

  “Yeah, they do.” Layla had a small smile on her lips, like she knew a secret. “Together they would have been a disaster, so I think it was for the best, but Tye’s ego took a hit. I think that’s the most painful part, otherwise he’s just pouting.”

  One side of Zoe’s mouth tipped upward. “I imagine that, within a few days, there’ll be scores of women trying to make him feel better.”

  Layla’s head turned toward me, her gaze steady. “I can say this, because he is family, but the guy is way too charming for his own good. So, consider yourself warned.”

  I nodded in agreement. This Tye guy sounded interesting. Too much man for me, but somebody to watch since the women seemed to like to talk about him.

  Zoe glanced toward the door. “So, how are things with Holly?”

  Layla shrugged. “She’s been scarce around the office, which I haven’t minded at all. I don’t know what to say to her. They’re both consenting adults, and I—hell, you did, too—thought this would come to a bad end. The bottom line is Tye’s my family, and I don’t like to see him hurting. I don’t know what was said but, knowing how blunt Holly can be, she probably didn’t let him down easy.”

  I sighed. “I hope he gets better because hurting sucks.” I didn’t realize I’d said the words out loud, until I noticed both women staring. I tried to backtrack. “I mean, I hope he can get over it and move on, uhm you know, learn from it.” Rambling again.

  Layla cleared her throat. “I’m sure he will.” She was still studying me, but she gave me a little smile.

  Zoe came to my rescue. “So do you know any famous people? I guess it’s silly to think you would, but since you grew up in L.A., I thought I’d ask.”

  I laughed. “The first thing I learned when I moved in with my mom was that there are degrees of famousness. She was on a soap for a while, The Tides.” I said. “She still considers herself to be famous, although she doesn’t do too much acting anymore.”

  Layla’s eyebrows rose. “What’s her name? My mom used to watch that soap.”

  “Eva Coleman. She played Alannah Richards,” I answered on auto-pilot. I’d had this conversation a thousand times.

  She blinked. “Oh, I remember her. She was so mean. I mean her character was.”

  No, Layla had it right the first time. I continued talking, “I went to high school with some kids whose parents worked in the industry, but no really famous people.”

  “You didn’t want to act? I mean, since you grew up around it,” Zoe said.

  I shook my head. “I lived with my dad until I was fourteen in San Diego until he passed. When I moved to L.A., it was a huge culture shock.”

  Layla patted my hand again. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

  Zoe added her condolence.

  “Then I lived with my mom full time. She wasn’t thrilled to have me around. She would introduce me as her sister.” I wrinkled my nose. “I never wanted to have anything to do with that life.” I stopped, remembering the ugly times, like when my mom tried to talk me into getting a boob reduction and liposuction because I was “fat”. I was eighteen at the time and a senior in high school. “I was always quiet. I liked my books.” I looked away. I accepted that my mom had her own reality, and I don’t fit into her world. Most days it didn’t hurt, but tonight for some reason, it stung.

  “Are you going to be doing that kind of work here?” Layla pulled my attention back from the past. “Working in a library?”

  “Honestly, I’m trying to figure out my next move. The condo I was renting in Denver sold, so I was going to have to relocate anyway, but I didn’t really love it there. I started looking into my options, and then Anna said how happy you were here. There’s a law school here, and I’m thinking about going back so that I can be a law librarian.” I glanced at Zoe. “So I thought, why not? I’ve never been to this part of the country. I decided to give Indianapolis a try.” I stopped when I realized my story made me sound a little bit like a flake.

  Layla started to giggle. “God, she’s just like you,” she said, turning to Zoe.

  Zoe nodded as she took a drink of her lemon concoction. “Yeah, but she didn’t drink too much wine and point at a map.” She put her glass down. “That’s how I ended up in Columbus, which is about an hour south of here.”

  I know my eyes widened. “That’s cra...I mean, adventurous.”

  Zoe lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, but it’s all good. I ended up with Tony, and now we have Olivia.” She radiated happiness, I swear she was glowing.

  “Back to the job thing,” Layla said, steering the conversation. “Are you looking for something serious or ….”

  “I like to stay busy,” I told her. “I’m not looking for a career-making position, just something I can handle that won’t be too hard to learn.” I didn’t add that I also needed a flexible schedule because of my therapy appointments.

  Layla gave me a huge smile.

  “What?” I took in her look, and then I glanced at Zoe, who was grinning also.

  Layla shifted in her chair and lowered her feet to the floor. “As you can see, I’m going to have this baby soon. We’re looking for somebody to work at Limited. It’s receptionist work with a few other responsibilities.”

  I tried to make sure I had a calm look on my face. I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want to seem too desperate. How lucky was it that a job was just dropped in my lap?

  “If you want the job, and Forde is okay with you, I’d stick around to train you for a week or two.”

  “So, it would be while you were out on maternity leave?” I tried to picture the university’s calendar in my head.

  “Probably longer. I’m not sure if I’m going to come back or stay at home,” Layla said.

  Zoe shook her head. “What are you going to do about daycare? You know Forde’s going to investigate the shit out of the place. God, he’ll probably wire it for sound and surveillance.”

  “True.” Layla’s little smile said she was okay with that thought. “I’m probably going to be out for about a year.”

  Zoe waved a hand. “Then you’ll be working on number two or already pregnant again.”

  Layla bit her bottom lip. “Good point.” She sighed and threw up her hands in an “I don’t know” motion. “I guess I haven’t thought this through.” She bit her lip for a moment. “I’ve worked since I was a kid, so the thought of not having a job is totally weird to me.”

  I was happy for Layla. Her problems sounded like wonderful ones to have, but I needed a job, and their tangent had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I knew I might seem a little overeager, but I couldn’t help edging into the conversation. “If I decide to do the law librarian thing,” I said, forcing myself to keep my tone even, “the earliest I’d be able to start school would be next year.” I held my breath.

  “So, you’re interested?” Layla’s eyes went big.

  “I’m curious about all it entails. Maybe we could get together and go over the duties?” I swallowed and tried not to fidget. Suddenly, I really wanted this job.

  “How about tomorrow? Come by the office late morning, and then we can go out to lunch.”

  Wow, that was fast and so easy. “Well, I guess I could do that,” I said, proud of myself for not giving a fist pump. I sat back and surreptitiously drew in a deep breath. That was so…smooth.

  “Awesome,�
� Zoe said, grinning.

  Layla’s expression tightened. She was looking over my shoulder. “Here comes Jenn and Holly. Don’t say anything about coming by tomorrow. I don’t want to have to invite them to join us.” Layla winced. “That sounded horrible of me, I know. But I just don’t want any drama.”

  Zoe rolled her eyes and whispered, “I don’t blame you.”

  “It’s okay,” I said, giving her a small smile. “I don’t think badly of you.” And since I didn’t understand everything that was going on, said and unsaid, I decided to follow the boss’s wife’s lead. I turned my head just a little to get a glimpse of the two women I’d heard so much about. Jenn was easy to identify, younger, tall with a slender build. Her bright blue hair matched her t-shirt that sported the catch phrase of a TV character that was a physicist. The woman behind her was almost as tall as her cousin with a body that was curvy, but from the toned arms that her tank top displayed, she was in really good shape. She had dark blonde hair that was pulled up in a high ponytail.

  Introductions were made, and Jenn took the chair beside me while Holly moved next to Zoe, so that we were across from one another but not directly. Two more ladies arrived, and I could tell they were the ladies who worked at the law firm by the unfriendly looks they gave Holly.

  Conversation jumped around after the food was ordered. The drinks kept coming, and I had been talking to Jenn about the best placement of my wireless router in my apartment. I was having a good time. My glass was empty, and I reached into my purse for my phone to check the time. I didn’t want to drive back too late, but I didn’t really want to leave. Tonight was going better than I’d expected, and it felt good to be out socializing.

  “So are you my replacement?” Holly’s surprisingly deep voice jarred me.

  I noted the time, and that I should be going soon. I looked up. “What are you talking about?” This was the first time she’d directed a comment toward me.

  She leaned onto the table. “I mean, are you the one they’re going to offer him?” She spoke slowly, and her words were a little slurred. “My replacement?” Her eyes glared at me.

  It took a second for me to get her meaning, and when realization struck that she was talking about Tye, I drew back. Was she drunk? I tried to guess how many cocktails she’d had. “Why would you think that?”

  She snorted. “You’re hot.” She finished off her drink in one swallow. “He’d fuck you in a minute.”

  I drew a sharp breath, shocked at her words.

  “Holly!” Jenn’s voice cut into the conversation, full of warning.

  Something ugly crossed the woman’s features, and then it was gone. “She’s probably out lookin’ for somebody for him.” Holly pointed at Layla. “Fuckin’ Tye,” she said loudly.

  “Holly,” Jenn whispered harshly at her cousin.

  Holly narrowed her eyes that were fixed on me.

  My mouth went dry. I didn’t want a confrontation, and I hadn’t done a damn thing to warrant one.

  “Just remember, he might fuck like a stallion, but it won’t last.” She shook her head back and forth. “He’s always going to need to look ’cause he’s never gonna be satisfied.” Holly was on the edge of her chair, practically leaning over the table toward me. She started to cry. “Now, he’s going to fall in love with somebody else.” She pointed her finger. “Probably you.”

  I didn’t want to move too quickly. I didn’t know if she was drunk or being mean, so I slid slowly backward in my chair, preparing to make my escape.

  “Maybe you should go home, Holly,” Layla advised loudly.

  Holly swung toward Layla. “Why don’t you? Just because you’re married to Forde doesn’t make you the boss of me,” she sneered.

  “Fine,” Layla bit out. She started tapping on her phone. After a minute, she placed it on the table. “Rides will be here in ten.”

  Jenn raised a finger. “Does that cover us, or should I call a cab?”

  “What do you think?” Layla snapped while giving Holly a withering look.

  “I’ll make the call,” Jenn murmured, and then gave a resigned sigh.

  “And for your information,” Zoe said, her posture stiffening. “I brought Billie so she could meet my friends. I don’t offer up my friends to men.”

  So, now I knew everyone had heard Holly’s ramblings. A blush heated my cheeks.

  “I apologize for that,” Jenn said quietly.

  “Thank you.” The younger woman was in a tough situation.

  “She’s had a rough week.”

  “Doesn’t matter, Jenn,” Zoe said. “She shouldn’t be a bitch to a woman she just met. Billie can’t help that she’s a knockout.” Then she looked at me, “Please tell me you have days when you look a little ugly.”

  I chuckled. “More often than you can imagine.”

  “That makes me feel a little better.” Zoe shook her head at me.

  Chapter Four

  Billie

  I gathered my purse and put the strap over my shoulder, already thinking ahead to the walk into the darkening parking lot. Preparing myself.

  “Don’t leave yet,” Layla said, eyeing me intently. “One of the guys will walk out with you.”

  “Okay, thanks.” I hoped that I didn’t look as relieved as I felt.

  The women at the other end of the table rose to leave. We said our goodbyes.

  “I need to settle my tab,” I told Zoe as I looked for our server.

  Layla shook her head one time. “Don’t worry about it. Forde will take care of it when he gets here.”

  “Oh, that’s very nice of him...well, you.” She really was very kind, and I silently told myself to thank Anna for arranging for my introduction into this group.

  Holly swayed a little on her feet. “Yeah, she’s nice. Everybody’s nice but me.” Holly’s words were more slurred. “I’m the only one who’s a bitch.” She pointed at me again. “God, I hope you turn out to be rotten. Upset their holier-than-thou lives.”

  “Jenn, get her out of here,” Tony ordered as he approached our table followed by another good looking man with blond hair. My attention lingered on him for just a second, before I turned back to the Jenn and Holly show.

  “Come on, cuz, you need to go,” Jenn said, sounding disgusted. She stood, patted me on the shoulder once, and then she looped her arm through Holly’s and led her away.

  Tony leaned over and kissed Zoe.

  I glanced away to give them privacy. It was so sweet the way the tough-looking man touched his wife.

  “You’re stuck with me, mama,” the man accompanying Tony said to Layla. “Your man is already out working.”

  “Can you settle our tab?” Layla didn’t sound disappointed that her husband hadn’t come for her.

  “Sure thing, Lay.” He squeezed her shoulder then headed toward the bar.

  Worried because plans appeared to be changing, I started to get up. The other women were moving out of the door of the restaurant. There’d still be time to be part of the crowd entering the parking lot. I wouldn’t be out there alone.

  “Don’t go yet.” Layla held out a hand to stop me.

  I slowly sat down and watched the man moving toward the bar. He had to be the infamous Tyler Burke. He was everything the ladies had described and more. Tall, and I could tell there was muscle underneath the white dress shirt he wore. His trousers hugged his ass and strong thighs. After he settled the bill and walked to our table, I noted the man moved with a graceful gait, like a dancer. He must have felt me studying him, because his gaze zeroed in on me.

  Holy Christ, he was gorgeous—amazing, really. I think I stopped breathing.

  One side of his mouth lifted, and a part of me that I had thought would be forever dormant quivered.

  I looked away, feeling myself blush, and Christ, I noticed that my nipples were hard. I was embarrassing myself.

  “Tye, meet Billie.” Layla said, watching both of us.

  He stuck out his hand and grinned. He knew he was hot and how h
e affected women. Yeah, definitely confident. “Hi, Billie. I’m Tyler Burke.”

  I slowly extended my hand, although I didn’t want to. It was like I was afraid to touch him. When I did, I swear I felt a jolt of electricity travel up my arm. “I’m Billie James,” I said, my voice going throaty, “it’s nice to meet you.”

  He let go of my hand, and I forced myself not to look at it as he helped Layla up from her chair.

  His head turned toward me. “Are you okay to drive?”

  “Yes, thank you,” I answered a little stiffly.

  “I told her someone would walk her to her car,” Zoe said.

  Tony spoke up, “Of course.”

  Layla moved in, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so glad Zoe brought you,” she whispered. “Come by tomorrow around ten.”

  “Will do.” I gave her a small squeeze.

  When we separated, Zoe hugged her. “Call me tomorrow.”

  Tony kissed Layla’s cheek.

  “I will. God, you all hover,” Layla groused but smiled. “It’s not a big deal. Women have babies all of the time.”

  Tye took her arm. “Of course, it’s a big deal. That’s my nephew in there.”

  “How do you know it’s not your niece?” Layla fired back.

  He chuckled. “Or my niece, I stand corrected. It doesn’t matter, because the baby will be perfect.”

  Layla faced me, smiling. “I’m giving you this one piece of advice, Billie. These badasses, they hover. They’re worse than old women. They get in your business and won’t leave you alone. Think about that if you want to be friends.”

  Being protected, sounded nice. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Yeah, be prepared to give us all of your personal info, and know that you won’t have any privacy.” Tye’s smile made me want to smile in return. Instead, I nodded, feeling another embarrassing blush heat my face.

  “Nothin’ wrong with looking out for another,” Tony interjected, looking right at me. “We all know firsthand that shit happens to good people. Life can go bad in a second.”