Page 118 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

Thirty-Eight

Savannah

Ihead back inside, smile through my pain, and put on the happy face I’m expected to. I lie and tell anyone who cares that Liam wasn’t feeling well. Then I bid an exorbitant amount of money on his painting under a different name.

As the evening draws on and my sporadic calls to Liam go unanswered, my skin itches. All the conversations fade into background noise. Scanning the room, my gaze lands on Brooklyn and Wyatt strolling from table to table of the silent auction. I watch his hand rest on the small of her back, dangerously close to her ass but not causing a scene, and the ease with which my sister follows his lead. She’s so comfortable with him and with showing affection, regardless of anyone’s eyes on her. She laughs and he leans forward, his lips landing on her neck. They share a look to say, ‘if we were alone.’

I sip my wine and sit at the table alone, my mind wandering to when Denver was in the room and Liam snuck touches or kisses. Was what Liam said right? Maybe I am uncomfortable with people seeing me doing anything other than dictating what needs to happen. But it has nothing to do with Liam himself. Sure, it’s a little weird to date someone younger than me, but he seems more mature at times.

Picking up my phone, I bury my head in the land of Instagram, scrolling through all the pictures of everyone attending tonight. Harley and Rome outside by the lake, all dressed up, the sun at their backs. Austin and Holly at the table with champagne glasses in their hands. There’s even one of Denver and Phoenix at the bar, saying cheers to single life.

Someone slides into the seat next to me, and I turn off Instagram and put my phone face-down on the table. Turning to my side, I find Grandma Dori.

“Do you need something?” I ask, because usually at these events, she’s busy bossing me around and not really up for conversation.

“No. Just wondering how the night is going?” She’s looking around the room and not at me.

“Fine.”

“Except for Liam walking out?”

“I don’t want to get into this. Your meddling antics aren’t working on me.”

She laughs. “Oh, you’re so smart, but you do realize the reason you’re running a movie reel in your head right now is because of my meddling. Imagine if you hadn’t moved in with Liam. Or didn’t have to do the charity event planning.”

I think about it, and she’s wrong. Those reasons aren’t why I’m sitting here with an ache the size of the Pacific in my heart. It’s the bet we made. How he made me feel as though there isn’t anything wrong with me, except that maybe I lost myself for a while.

“Excuse me,” the manager of the Lakeside Grill interrupts. “Can we chat, Miss Bailey?”

I’ve been called Miss Bailey my entire life, but this time, it sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

“I’ll be back,” I say to Dori and follow the manager to his office to finalize all the details.

An hour later, I’m leaving the event when Brooklyn pushes off the wall.

“Hey sis,” she says, putting her arm through mine. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“I want to go home.”

“Humor me. Wyatt and I have been so busy with the house, he’s driving me crazy. I need some girl time.”

She’s lying through her teeth, but we’ll pretend she can fool me.

“Okay.”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “Thanks.”

Leading me down the sidewalk, she rounds the bend. I should’ve known who would be here. Every one of my siblings is sitting on Adirondack chairs, shooting the shit. The only people missing are Holly, Wyatt, and Harley. Part of me wonders if they’re seeking out Liam.

“Great event, Sav!” Denver holds up a bottle of wine and downs a gulp before handing the bottle to Rome.

“Thanks.”

Austin pats the chair next to him. I slide into it as graciously as I can in an evening gown.

“Liam’s got some skills, huh?” Phoenix says. “It raised the most money, behind the Harley.”

“Where’s Grandma Dori?” I ask. Usually she’d be the first one to be here.

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