Best (Change Series Book 3)

by Melanie Jayne

  “Tye...” Forde’s tone gentled. “Give her some space. Don’t press her about it, okay?”

  God, Forde would do anything now to hold onto a good receptionist. He’d had a run of lousy ones before Layla, so I guess I couldn’t really blame him.

  “I’m taking Lay and Ryan out tomorrow night. Want to join us? Ryan will want steak, but Layla has the deciding vote.”

  I knew it was an olive branch. He knew I hated it when he criticized my choices. “So it’ll be steak.” I rolled to my feet. “You know Layla will want whatever Ryan wants.” She loved Forde’s son. I’d never seen a moment’s uncertainty about Ryan from Layla. He was Forde’s son, so he was hers. Again, I thought, Forde’s one very lucky fuck. I stood, still frustrated at his lack of reaction regarding Billie’s behavior, but then I moved on to resigned because Forde wouldn’t address it.

  He stood also. “I’ll get you the details about dinner.”

  “You don’t need to walk me out. I swear I won’t say anything to her.”

  He continued toward the door. “I didn’t think you would. I need to meet with Jenn. Now that her cousin has gone, we need to talk about filling that position.” He sighed.

  “Maybe you should think about giving Billie some of the work? I mean she’s smart, and since she’s already here...” I headed down the hall.

  Billie was not on the phone when I entered reception. “Forde’s heading to Jenn’s office,”

  “Oh, okay.” She gave me a little smile. “Thanks for the update.”

  “I heard you fixed our copier again. I guess I owe you.” I paused in front of her desk.

  She shrugged. “It was no big deal. I think that you were using the wrong setting for the paper.”

  “Well, if the adjustment continues to work, you’ve saved us time and the hassle.” I didn’t really want to move on. I liked talking to her. She looked really good today, the parts that I could see of her anyway. She wore a navy short-sleeved cardigan that gave just a hint of her cleavage. God, she had cleavage. I’d have given anything to see her in something low cut. Around her wrists, she sported a stack of bracelets with stones in them, and every finger had a ring on it. She looked professional, but still her.

  “Your repair guy really should have figured that out. I assume you’re still under contract with your supplier?” She waited for me to answer.

  “Yeah, we are.”

  She did a one shoulder shrug. “Maybe he likes to visit your office. You have plenty of attractive women on your staff.”

  “I know all about hanging out at an office that has attractive staff,” I teased.

  Her cheeks turned pink. “If that’s the case, then maybe you should help me with my work.”

  “What are you doing?” I made a move to walk around her desk.

  “Planning a baby shower for Layla.”

  She didn’t make any room for me to stand behind her, so I dropped into one of the chairs to the side. “Is it a surprise?”

  “No, she picked the date and supplied the guest list. Zoe volunteered her house, and now we’re discussing the food.”

  She glanced at me expectantly. I wasn’t sure what she was asking. “Am I invited?”

  “Oh, yeah, it may seem kind of weird, but since the baby’s going to be Forde’s and Layla’s, we figured we’d invite men, too. I get the feeling Forde is going to be a hands-on type of dad.” She clicked her mouse to change screens.

  “Tony’s the same, and when Rick’s with Nahla, he’s all over her.”

  “Yeah, I also noticed you don’t shy away from Livy.” Her smile turned sweet; her eyes sparkled. “I like it that you all care about one another, and you aren’t afraid to show it.” Then she dropped her gaze and turned back to her computer screen.

  “I’m not saying we’re saints, but we take care of each other.”

  She nodded.

  I drew a deep breath, wanting to forestall her giving me another hint that she expected me to leave. I tried to remember all of my favorite foods. “Since guys are going to be attending the party, how about picnic foods? Like hot dogs, burgers and brats, with all the fixings and all those salads—pasta, potato, and deviled eggs. Gotta have the deviled eggs.”

  One side of her mouth tipped upward. “Is that so that the guys can hang out by the grill?”

  “Tony is the master of the meat.”

  “What?” she snorted and gave me a horrified look.

  I shook my head, scolding her. “Dirty mind.” Her deepening blush was adorable.

  “I don’t have a dirty mind.” Her glance cut quickly away, and her expression turned troubled.

  I wondered what that was about, but couldn’t help pushing for a little more reaction. “And yet, you went right there,” I teased.

  She slumped in her chair. “Yeah, I did.”

  I cleared my throat dramatically. “What I was referring to is that Tony loves to grill. I’m lucky because I’ve surrounded myself with people who can feed me. Layla loves to cook and has no problem including me. Then there’s Ryan, who took some class and now practices cutting stuff.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Tony does most of the cooking for his family, and what he can do with a side of beef.” I groaned. “The guy’s an artist.”

  “Okay, I get it. Master of meat...” Billie tapped her fingers on the desk. “I was thinking cupcakes instead of a cake. Thoughts?”

  I arched a brow. “Can you make a brownie cupcake?”

  “I’ll find out, and if I can’t, then I’ll figure out a way that you can have a brownie.” She smiled at me. “Do you only like chocolate, or are there any other flavors that you’d try?”

  “There are other kinds of brownies?” She had my total attention. She bit her lip for a brief moment, and I couldn’t take my gaze off of that full bottom lip.

  “There are Blondies, which I think are vanilla, Red Velvet, and Dark Chocolate ones. There might be more.”

  “All of those. Get all of them,” I urged.

  “You are so easy.” She giggled.

  I winked at her. “The rumors are true. I like, I get.”

  “Good to know.” She looked a little surprised and not so comfortable.

  “Don’t worry,” I said quietly. “I’ve learned my lesson. I don’t shit where I eat.”

  Her smile was totally fake. “Nice analogy. I think I’m a little offended. Are you somehow comparing me to Holly?”

  Jesus, my mouth got ahead of my brain. Billie was nothing like Holly. Time to backtrack. “No,” I assured her. “What I meant was…” No. Shit, I didn’t want her to think that I was a dick. How did I get myself out of this mess?

  “Maybe you wanted to say that you learned from that, uhm, experience, and even though you’re still…active, you’re going to work on improving your selectiveness. And be pleasant to those that aren’t in the…ah, the running…” Her voice dropped off, and then she nodded like I should agree with her.

  My head bobbed matching hers. “Yeah, that’s what I was going to say.” My belly warmed. I liked her sly humor.

  The phone on her desk rang.

  “I better get back to my office.” I stood and headed to the door, feeling lighter, happier.

  She looked up when I opened the door. “Have a good day, Tye.”

  “You, too.” I liked her, but there was something going on. I’d give it more time before I pushed for the reason behind those tears.

  Chapter Eleven

  Tye

  Two more weeks had passed, and Layla was due any day. Forde came into the office, but he wasn’t really there. He checked in with his wife often. I teased Layla that I thought he should stay home with her, but she told me that if he did, she might kill him and end up having their child in jail.

  I decided to stop in at Limited on my way out to grab lunch. Billie wasn’t at her desk, so I continued through the door to the back. I glanced into the break room and saw her. “Hey, B.”

  She looked up from the thick book she was reading, “Slacker.” In realit
y I was anything but. I needed to be in constant motion—running before work, hitting the gym, and finishing the night with a woman.

  I moved deeper into the small room and stood over her table. “What’s this?” I picked up the book. “Civil War, huh?

  She shifted in the chair. “I always wanted to know more.”

  I tried to overlook her weak answer. Billie was a puzzle. I kept trying to make the pieces fit together.

  “I’m trying to understand how the women did it. You know, stepped up and handled everything. The businesses, farms, family... One day they were all that was left to run their world. How they adapted and survived fascinates me.”

  “You should talk with Jerry.” Forde joined us and instantly made the room feel smaller. “He’s studied that era forever.”

  I put the book back on the table. “You should read This House, if you want less battles and more sociology.”

  “It’s next on my list.” Billie shifted the book back in front of her.

  “Did you know he’s coming to town...the author, I mean?”

  “Graham Sitwell is? When?” She glanced up at me. Her eyes were shining with excitement.

  “He’s giving a lecture, and then there’s going to be a reception afterward. I’m going with my dad.” He’d asked me months ago, so I was locked in.

  “You should take Billie with you,” Forde said.

  When I hesitated, Billie looked away. “Oh no, I wouldn’t want to intrude on your father-son time.”

  I liked the idea of spending time with Billie, but my dad would read too much into it. The last thing I wanted to deal with was his meddling.

  “I’ll call Jerry,” Forde said. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear you want to come along.” Forde had decided that this was a good idea.

  “Forde—” Billie raised a hand as if she could reach out and stop him. She let her hand fall to the table.

  “He’s right,” I said, focusing on Billie. “My dad would love it if you accompanied us. He’ll be the envy of all the other geeks, bringing a beautiful woman.”

  “Good to know my role,” she grumbled.

  “That didn’t come out right,” I said and ducked my head. “What I meant is that most of the people who show up to these things are the academic type. Frumpy clothes and orthopedic shoes, or they’re the fanatics who make their own costumes.” I leaned closer to her and tapped the cover of the book a few times. “You always look nice,” I said close to her ear.

  Forde chuckled. “You’d never know that he uses words in his line of work.”

  “Or that, supposedly, he’s got game,” she added slyly.

  I gave a mock-frown. “Hey, I do all right.”

  “If it’s okay with your father, and you can get me a ticket, I’d love to go,” she said quietly.

  It wasn’t lost on me that she’d worded it so I had an out. I could simply claim there was no ticket to be had.

  “You can give her a ride,” Forde directed. “Billie give him your number and address.”

  “Am I buying her dinner also?” I raised an eyebrow. I don’t like being pushed, and I didn’t get why Forde was suddenly forcing Billie and me together.

  Billie’s expression changed. The sparkly look in her eyes disappeared, and she dropped her gaze to the table while biting her lip. When she spoke again, her tone sounded a little sullen, “I can get there on my own.”

  Forde shook his head. “To get there, you have to drive through a so-so neighborhood. I’d feel better if you weren’t alone, especially after dark.”

  Her eyes widened. “Oh…”

  There was that protective thing again. “I think the lecture is at four, and then the reception is at six.” I pulled up the info on my phone. “Yeah, those are the times.”

  “I really don’t want you in that area alone on a Saturday night, Billie.”

  King Forde had spoken. I got the message loud and clear. “Then it looks like you’ve got a chauffeur.” I smiled, because deep down, I really didn’t mind. I just didn’t like Forde making plans for me.

  I didn’t get the chance to call my dad about Billie joining us. Forde had already taken care of that as soon as I left his office. What the fuck was the bastard up to?

  My phone sitting on the corner of my desk rang, and I checked the screen readout. No surprise, it was my dad. I waited three rings before picking up. “Hey.”

  “I got your girl a ticket, so no worries,” his voice boomed through the plastic handset. I’d learned long ago not to put the man on speaker. The entire office didn’t need to hear his voice.

  “She’s not my girl,” I quickly corrected.

  “She’s pretty and apparently intelligent, maybe she should be.”

  “Not going to have this discussion,” I growled.

  “I’m not discussing. I’m pointing out that Billie is easy on the eyes, and she’s the type who always will be. You like ’em flashy, and with that hair, she qualifies. Plus with that body—she’s got something to hold onto.”

  “Dad...” I raised my voice in warning.

  “Plus, you’ve got things in common. Maybe with this one, you could do more than fuck.”

  I closed my eyes and prayed for strength. “Thank you for sharing your thoughts.”

  “But you’re going to be stupid and continue to work your way through the Colts’ cheerleaders, and then through the Pacers’?”

  I wasn’t going to discuss my sex life with my father. Since learning about Ryan, and now grandbaby number two, he’d been pressuring me to settle down. “This is a Lucas Forde deal. Billie works for him, and you know I’m hands off with his people.”

  “Now, you decide to respect his rule?”

  “Trying to learn from my mistake here,” I gritted out.

  “I’m just saying, the two or three times I’ve talked to the woman, she was nice, like the other wives. She’s got heart.”

  “Please don’t try to play matchmaker.” Yes, there was a note of pleading in my voice. “Billie’s…a little shy.” The thought of my dad’s awkward attempt to hook us up would be embarrassing and uncomfortable. I didn’t want that for her. “Let’s just make this about the event. I don’t want her to feel weird.”

  Dad’s “hmmm” came through loudly.

  I shouldn’t engage, but I was tired and not thinking, “What’s that for?”

  “You. I was trying to remember the last time you got protective over a woman. You like her, right?” He sounded gleeful.

  Remaining silent, I knew I was screwed. If I argued more, it would look like I was fighting too hard. So, I didn’t say a thing.

  “She’s invited to the reception. Tell her to wear something nice. Sitwell will be all over her, and she’ll be with us.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be thrilled she’s going to be objectified by a bunch of old men.” Suddenly, I didn’t like the idea of a room full of men looking at Billie.

  “Oh, come on, what woman doesn’t like to know that a man appreciates her looks?”

  Dad sounded genuinely puzzled. “A woman with a brain,” I answered with some heat.

  “So you like her smarts.” Dad hummed again.

  I slammed the phone down. God, I hated how he got to me. He could twist me up into knots faster than an idiot who misinterpreted the law.

  I joined Forde’s family at St. Elmo’s for dinner. Ryan’s favorite restaurant.

  Layla had left the table for her fourth, or was it her fifth, bathroom visit. I leaned back in my chair and gave my “brother” an evil look.

  “What?” Forde growled.

  The combination of his size, deep voice, and his stare had intimidated many throughout his career. It didn’t work on me. “You know what. Why’d you sic dad on me about Billie?” I lowered my voice so that only he could hear me. Ryan was busy reading the dessert menu, although the kid probably had it memorized. He took his food very seriously.

  “What about you and Billie?” Forde said, enunciating each word.

  “I’m n
ot looking for a relationship.”

  His eyebrows lowered. “Good, because the way you fuck around, it’d be a hard sell.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  I noticed that Ryan was now watching us.

  Forde acted like he didn’t notice my agitation. “You’re out of control. The women you hook up with aren’t long term. That’s why you’re with them.”

  Jesus, why was everybody in my business?

  Forde locked his gaze with mine. “You’re too busy rutting around town to even notice a good woman.”

  “I’ve noticed,” I muttered under my breath.

  “Then get your shit together, and do something about it.”

  I let my gaze slide away.

  “When she gets settled and starts to look around, it won’t take long for someone else to make their move.”

  His expression now wasn’t angry or scolding. I read understanding, and that made me feel conflicted. “I dunno. I’m not the relationship type. You know my attempts have crashed and burned.”

  “I count only twice. Once, when you were in college, and then with Holly, neither of those were good bets. Billie’s an adult, a grown-ass woman.”

  “I’ve noticed that, too,” I said, arching an eyebrow and trying to inject some levity into the conversation.

  “We all have noticed,” Forde answered dryly. “The thing is, she’s …” He paused.

  I wanted to lean in to hear what he had to share, but I fought the urge. I didn’t want to appear too interested.

  “It wouldn’t be easy. She’s got baggage.” His voice trailed off.

  “Who doesn’t?” I was curious, but I wasn’t going to let him know just how much. Forde was a keeper of secrets. Layla would be easier to squeeze for information, or Ryan. I’d noticed that he and Billie had intense conversations. Maybe the kid knew more about her.

  “True, we all have our baggage.” He took a drink of beer. “I can’t say too much, okay? But with her, listen and watch for what she doesn’t say. It’s as important as what she does.” He met my gaze, and his eyes darkened.

  Interesting. I always followed Forde’s tips. They were few and far between, and always on point.