Lost in You

by Jules Bennett

  “I’ll let you get back to work. I just wanted to say thanks and we plan on coming back.”

  Liam glanced her way once more, more than happy to be drawing this social time to a close. “We’re glad to hear it. Let me know if you need anything before you go.”

  That was hard. He wasn’t used to being this . . . helpful. Wasn’t he hired to cook? There was a reason he was a behind the scenes guy. Another point he’d bring up when he saw his brothers later today. Cora was always around, but she was clearly busy, and this resort was supposed to be Zach and Braxton’s baby. Liam had only reluctantly come on board as a financial backer at first, then at the last minute he was talked into being the chef.

  As much as Liam loved being part of this endeavor, he agreed to join in on the business with the hope he’d only be a silent partner.

  Nothing was going to plan since he’d moved back. Every day that passed, he was more torn up than ever. Without even trying, Macy was relentless in getting under his skin. The woman had him in knots and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it except get the hell out of Haven. Now he just needed to set the plan and execute it before he lost what was left of his sanity.

  His need to save those around him had narrowed drastically. Now he was in dire need of saving himself.

  * * *

  Liam pulled up in front of the house where he’d spent his teen years. The home now belonged to Zach, Sophie, Brock, and a whole host of dogs. Zach had taken in a pregnant stray a year ago, and once the puppies came, he ended up keeping them because he didn’t want to separate the siblings.

  He never came out and said it, but Liam knew Zach’s upbringing influenced how he treated the pups. The Monroe boys were all softhearted when it came to vulnerability in people, and apparently animals, too.

  Braxton’s car was already in the drive. Liam let himself in the front door and braced himself for the slew of barks and excitement. Maybe he should get a dog, he thought. Dogs were always happy to see you, dogs didn’t judge, and dogs were loyal. So long as you fed them, they’d be your best friend. That was one relationship Liam could totally get behind.

  He reached down to pat each one as they jumped, vying for attention.

  “Welcome to the zoo.” Zach stepped into the foyer with a bottle of water in his hand. “We’re all out back on the patio. You want something to drink?”

  Liam stood straight and shook his head. “I’m fine. More interested in what’s going on.”

  “Then you’d better follow me,” Zach stated, and headed toward the back of the house.

  Zach slid the glass door open and gestured for Liam to go ahead. All the sturdy wicker couches and chairs were new, as was the concrete patio with a faux stone design. Zach had made quite a few changes to their old home once he decided to keep it and stay in Haven.

  Zach had also wanted out, but ended up falling in love with Sophie. Those two were meant to be. It had just taken a decade of hurt and recovery for them to fall back together.

  “Nice fence,” Liam snorted as he took a seat on the end of the outdoor sofa.

  Zach flipped him the finger before taking a seat next to Sophie on another sofa. “We need privacy.”

  “Your neighbor still an issue?” Braxton asked, resting his hand on Cora’s knee.

  Sophie laughed. “Mrs. Barclay has had to deal with me when she makes surprise visits. I think she’s growing tired of seeing my face.”

  Zach’s neighbor, who was a good fifteen years older than him, never made it a secret which Monroe brother she’d set her sights on when she moved to town. Zach had dodged her multiple times, and less than a year ago, Braxton had admitted he’d had a moment of weakness and ended up spending some time in her home—as in her bedroom.

  But Braxton had definitely changed his outgoing ways since meeting Cora. The two complimented each other, looked out for each other, and made a great team. The tug on Liam’s heart as he observed their closeness wasn’t welcome. Liam didn’t want to find love—such a thing didn’t exist for him. He’d let himself believe once before, but all that had done was leave him alone and hurting once again. So that tug could just go away.

  While Liam was happy for his brothers, he was also content to go on just the way he was, so long as he could get out of Haven.

  Which had him thinking back to the phone call he’d gotten earlier. Magnolias was indeed for sale and Liam knew the price Mark was asking. He needed to do some budgeting of numbers and think of a reasonable offer to make, but he wanted that restaurant and was confident he could make everything work out. On paper, anyway. Dealing with family and emotions was a whole other ball game.

  “I’d rather not discuss our neighbor,” Zach chimed in. “What’s going on, Brax?”

  Cora slid her hand over Braxton’s and smiled. “We were hoping to close the resort the second weekend in May since we have no bookings.”

  “Okay,” Zach said slowly. “Why?”

  “We want to get married there,” Braxton declared.

  Sophie leaned across the sofa, wrapping her arms around Cora. Zach shook his head and laughed. “No problem. It’s a great idea.”

  Braxton glanced over to Liam. “You okay with this?”

  “Of course.” Why wouldn’t he be? The resort would make the perfect backdrop for a wedding, and Braxton and Cora deserved everything they wanted.

  “Good.” Braxton’s smile widened. “We were hoping you’d do the cake.”

  Liam grunted. “Am I invited if I refuse?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I’ll do the damn cake,” Liam said, then slid his gaze to Cora, who was still beaming. “Cora, let me know what you’d like. I’ll do anything for you.”

  “Why not what I like?” Braxton asked.

  “Because she’s prettier and everyone knows the wedding is about the bride.”

  Zach quirked a brow. “Really? And you know a lot about weddings?”

  With a shrug, Liam defended himself. “Magnolias hosted plenty of weddings in my time there. People rented it out fairly often and I did my share of cakes.”

  “I don’t really know what I want,” Cora stated, reaching down to stroke Heidi’s neck. “Let me think about it and get back to you. I know I want a simple white cake, but other than that I’m clueless about the decorations.”

  “No chocolate?” he asked.

  Cora shook her head. “Maybe a chocolate fountain, but my favorite cake has always been a basic white.”

  “Just think of the icing flavor you’d like, or fondant is an option, too. We can talk later,” Liam agreed.

  And another talk that would have to come later was the fact he was planning on leaving. He didn’t want to ruin this moment with his own selfish needs. He wouldn’t be going anywhere in the next three weeks anyway. After the wedding, though, he couldn’t guarantee he’d be around much longer.

  “There’s more,” Cora said. “Sophie has something to add.”

  Zach jerked his gaze to his fiancée. “There is?”

  Settling back into her seat, Sophie looped her arm through Zach’s and smiled. The way those two looked at each other would be sickening to some, but Liam knew they’d both overcome hell to get where they were today. Liam almost felt like maybe whatever was about to happen should be done in private. But whatever.

  “I know we kept putting our wedding plans off because of the resort. Then we were focused on the custody issues with Brock. But Cora and I talked and a double wedding only makes sense.”

  Silence filled the patio and Liam held his breath. Cora and Braxton seemed to shift in their seats as well.

  Zach rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure you want to do it at the resort?”

  Sophie’s face fell slightly. “If you do.”

  “I only want you happy.” Clearly Zach had noticed her slip in excitement. “If you guys want a double wedding, Braxton and I will be there. Just tell us what time.”

  Liam sank back against the cushions. “Does this mean a bigger cake?”<
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  Sophie laughed. “I’m sure the guest list won’t be too large. Cora and I both want something small.”

  “My parents are coming for sure,” Cora added, biting her lip. Heidi sat obediently at her owner’s side. “Maybe you should do a chocolate cake.”

  “I thought you wanted white,” Braxton said.

  Cora’s family’s name was in nearly every household, every kitchen, including his own. He also knew her parents had high standards and wanted the absolute best for their daughter, so she worried about disappointing them.

  “I can do both to keep all parties happy,” Liam supplied. “Just leave it up to me.”

  Sophie stood back up. “I need to head back to the resort. I left Brock there to answer phones and finish washing all the sheets since our guests left. A new crew is coming in the morning.”

  “Don’t say anything to Brock about the wedding,” Zach requested. “I want to tell him together when you guys come home.”

  Sophie kissed Zach on the cheek. “I won’t say a word.”

  Once Sophie was gone, Braxton and Cora said their good-byes, leaving Liam and Zach.

  “I need to let the hounds out. Brace yourself.”

  Zach slid the patio door open, unleashing seven awkward pups, who were still growing into their long legs, and their mother, who trailed behind them. Their gorgeous yellow coats seemed to shine in the moonlight. Heidi didn’t even budge from Cora’s side. Not only was she used to the chaos, but she was a well-trained service dog and faithful to Cora.

  Darkness had settled in. The outside lights had clicked on and the moon shimmered off the pond. The resort was exactly what Chelsea had envisioned in outlines and binders full of pictures and notes. Liam knew she had to be looking down and smiling at how she’d ultimately brought all of them together.

  The lump of guilt in his throat threatened to choke him. They may all be together now, but circumstances would be changing soon. He only hoped his brothers understood why he couldn’t be here long term.

  Liam hadn’t realized how late it had gotten, but he didn’t really have anywhere else to be except maybe another date with his punching bag. With all the thoughts flooding his mind, he could definitely use a stress reliever.

  One of the pups, Hulk if Liam was guessing right, jumped up onto his lap.

  “Don’t let Sophie know he’s up there.” As soon as Zach sat back down, Thor jumped up beside him, which triggered Hawk to do the same. “She just replaced the patio furniture last week and she didn’t want them on the new stuff.”

  “You have to train them,” Liam replied, rubbing Hulk’s neck.

  Zach shrugged. “I think they’re trained. They don’t get on it when she’s out here. They’re pretty smart.”

  Hulk lay down, resting his paws over the side of the cushion and his head in Liam’s lap. “Where were you today?” Liam asked.

  Zach crossed his ankle over his knee. “I had a bid to finish up. Why?”

  “Nobody was at the resort except me.”

  “And?”

  “That’s not the deal.”

  Between the moonlight and the antique lights hanging from the perimeter of the pergola, Liam could make out Zach’s face perfectly. Zach’s gaze narrowed as he tipped his head.

  “The deal?” Zach repeated, his hand stilling on Hawk’s head. “The deal was we were all doing this together. I assumed you could keep things going for a bit while I handled my other job. Sophie was only gone a few hours for her closing.”

  “Interacting with guests isn’t what I wanted when I agreed to come here.”

  Zach’s jaw clenched and Liam was working up a good bit of mad himself. “We’re all in this together, just like Chelsea would’ve wanted. I can’t help it if you’re so hung up on your looks that you are afraid to talk to people.”

  Rage coursed through Liam. “My looks? You think that’s all I care about? I never wanted to come back to begin with. I was more than happy staying in Savannah, sending money to keep this place running until we started seeing an income. I’m not supposed to be front and center here, Zach. This was your idea to get this going.”

  “So, because you had to talk to people, you’re getting cranky?”

  Liam gently shifted the dog and came to his feet. Hulk lay on the sofa, oblivious to the turmoil. “I’m done here. Just make sure someone is at the resort because I have a job there and it’s not to do meet and greets.”

  As Liam turned to go, Zach’s low, angry voice stopped him. “If you want to leave, then go. We were getting along before you decided to jump on board and we’ll get along without you. Chelsea wouldn’t want you here out of pity or duty, and I don’t either. You either want to help your family or you don’t.”

  Liam kept his back to his brother, but couldn’t form a single response. He wanted out of this town, back to the place where he was comfortable, to fulfill his own dream. But he couldn’t find the words to tell Zach exactly what he wanted, so he opened the door and went inside. He was done here for the night. Anything he said at this point would only cause more of an argument and he didn’t think this family needed any more hurt.

  As Liam climbed into his SUV, he realized he was growing, changing. At one time he’d been all too happy to take verbal jabs at Zach. Right now, though, he didn’t have the heart for it.

  Maybe there was hope for him after all, or maybe he was just done. Either way, Liam had a plan and nothing would stop him from moving forward.

  Chapter Seven

  Girls’ night at Macy’s house was exactly what she needed. Tomorrow she’d be going to the softball game and she was still unsure how she even felt about that. She hadn’t seen Liam, and the fact she kept replaying their kiss over and over in her mind only ticked her off. He was avoiding her, which only led her to believe their encounter had hit him just as fiercely.

  So, some wine, some pointless gossip, and a carefree evening was exactly what she needed to relax and unwind . . . and not think of Liam. Or his lips. Or the way her body still tingled because he’d left a permanent imprint on her.

  “Did you hear the news?” Cora asked, crossing her legs and easing back on the bar stool. Heidi lay on the floor beside the stool, eyes open, but relaxed.

  Macy refilled Sophie’s wineglass. “What news?”

  “Cora and I are getting married,” Sophie squealed.

  A laugh escaped Macy as she stared back at her beaming friend. “You two will be very happy together.”

  Cora swatted in the direction of Sophie, but missed by quite a bit. “Shut up. We’re having a double ceremony at the resort on May fourteenth. You’re invited.”

  A double wedding. It sounded so perfect and romantic. And the resort would be absolutely breathtaking. The old Civil War–era home with the pond, the patio, the lush landscaping intermixed with the centuries old mossy oaks. It would look like something from a magazine, Macy was sure.

  Brothers who found love inadvertently due to the dream of their late sister. Didn’t the greatest pieces of literature have romance stemming from tragedies? If so, Macy was long overdue for her proverbial white knight.

  A May wedding would be stunning and another milestone in pointing the Monroe family in the right direction. After so many years of heartache and tension, maybe they were finally due for their happily ever after.

  “I couldn’t be happier for you guys.”

  Macy truly meant it. But she couldn’t ignore the tingle that crept up her spine. One day she would marry, have a family. But for now, her friends were deliriously happy and Macy was thrilled for them. Not to mention Zach and Braxton deserved this. Those boys had been through quite a bit before coming to Haven and being adopted.

  “Can I do anything for you?” she asked. “I mean, clearly not cook, but something else to help you get things ready?”

  Sophie smiled and reached across the sofa to squeeze Macy’s hand. “We’d like you to stand up and be our maid of honor.”

  Shocked, Macy blinked. “Me?”

  �
��Of course,” Cora agreed. “You’ve been a great friend to me since I came and I just feel like you guys were the sisters I never had. To marry Braxton with both of you by my side would be the perfect day.”

  Macy glanced from Cora to Sophie. Both women had seriously come to mean so much to her. Sophie had always been a friend, but Cora had slid right into their world as if she weren’t a millionaire heiress. She fit effortlessly into the small town lifestyle, a perfect addition into their world.

  “I’d love to,” Macy stated. “But, please, tell me the dress isn’t pink.”

  Both women laughed. “Actually, you’re the only one we want up with us, so you can pick your own dress. We’re having flowers of all colors, so I’d say you’ll be safe with anything.”

  If she was the only one standing up with the women, Macy had a pretty good idea who the only man standing up with Braxton and Zach would be.

  Wonderful. If she saw Liam in a tux, she might be forced to ravage him against his will and ignore every speech she’d ever given herself about how she wouldn’t throw herself at him ever again.

  “Can I wear my boots?” she asked.

  “Honestly, you can do whatever you want,” Sophie replied, sipping her wine. “The wedding will be in the evening, out by the pond. We’re hoping for a gorgeous sunset to send us off.”

  A gorgeous sunset, a double wedding, and Macy would be walking the aisle with Liam. Didn’t this just kick her straight in the gut of all the feels?

  “I know this is short notice,” Cora went on. “But we saw the resort wasn’t booked that weekend and I wanted a spring wedding anyway. There’s just been so much going on that Sophie and I kept putting everything off. We figured the guys could care less if we did it together or separately.”

  “With the resort being a family affair anyway, it only makes sense,” Sophie added. “And if we keep putting it off, we’ll be in a nursing home before we actually find time to do this.”

  Macy smiled and reached for her Chardonnay. “I think it will be perfect.”