Page 17 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

There was a time when Grandma Dori scared me—back when we were young and Denver and Rome were constantly testing limits, which usually meant they came off as entitled little shits. I was the third amigo, so my reputation is similar to theirs. The only difference being that I’m not a Bailey.

“Dori.” I kiss her cheek and hug her. “I haven’t been to the office in ages. Good to know not much has changed.”

Phoenix interrupts our hello. “Am I staying or going?”

“Going,” Savannah says at the same time Dori says, “Staying.”

Phoenix sits next to Savannah, putting her feet on the table. Savannah knocks Phoenix’s legs off, but Phoenix does it again. Looks as if Phoenix presses Savannah’s buttons as well as I do these days.

“This is where you offer to get everyone drinks.” Savannah shuts her laptop and twists her hair into a bun before sticking the pen in to hold it.

“It’s just Liam,” Phoenix says, her feet remaining on the coffee table.

“We’re not at our house,” she says.

“You mean my house.”

“I mean Austin and Holly’s house.” Savannah gives her a stern look, but Phoenix remains seated.

“Did you know they’re taking down the flower wallpaper in the half bath?” Phoenix asks.

“Really?” Savannah and I say in unison. She looks at me.

“I liked it,” I say with a shrug.

“It was ugly,” Savannah adds.

“But it was unique,” I say.

Savannah reluctantly nods. It’s the first thing we’ve seen eye-to-eye on in a long time.

Since Austin and his new wife took over the family home, they’ve been making changes to make it their own. While I know everyone supports them doing so, it’s also got to be hard to see some of the last reminders of their parents disappear forever.

“Phoenix, go get Liam a drink,” Dori interrupts. “What would you like, dear?”

Phoenix stands as if she’s been asked to clean toilets. “What do you want?”

“Phoenix, this is good practice for you,” Savannah says.

“Water is good,” I answer, and Phoenix leaves. There’s an awkward silence for a beat, so I decide to fill it by whispering to Savannah, “I put your coffee mug in the dishwasher.”

I take Phoenix’s spot next to Savannah and ignore how her body shifts slightly away from me until she hits the arm of the couch.

“Excuse me?”

“I’m sure it’s been bothering you, so I figured I’d give you one less thing to obsess about today.” I lean back, resting my ankle on my knee. One loose strand of golden hair is falling down her neck, directing my attention to what I know is a sensitive spot. How easy it would be to run a small circle over her delicate skin and wrap her hair around my finger.

Phoenix pops her head back in the office. “Liam, do you take cream or sugar?”

“I said I’d take a water.” An annoyed huff sounds from Savannah as her gaze shoots to Dori.

“Give her a break. She’s out of her comfort zone.” Dori sits in the chair next to us, and I get the feeling her gaze is shifting between us. I can’t see anything through those glasses, but I’m smart enough to know not to ask why she has them on. “What are you guys whispering about?”

“Liam was so kindly telling me how he put my coffee mug in the dishwasher.” Savannah takes the pen from the bun she created, letting her long blonde hair fall over her back.

My gaze is transfixed on the movement of the silky strands, and I remember how I wove my fingers through them that one night. I hear Dori saying my name and shift my attention to her, but her knowing smile says she liked the way I was looking at her granddaughter.

The granddaughter, not so much though.

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