Page 45 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

We walk around to the patio that faces the lake. It’s filled with people cracking open crab legs, butter dripping down their hands, laughing and singing and dancing. I haven’t been here in years and I forgot how fun it is.

“Liam!” Carol, the owner of Carol’s Crabby Shack, kisses Liam’s cheek and hugs him. She peers over her shoulder. “Savannah, it’s so good to see you.”

“Hi, Carol.” I wave.

Carol went to school with my mom, but other than a few chance meetings throughout the years, I haven’t seen her. I’m not surprised that she recognizes me though. A lot of people see me in the local paper, due to Bailey Timber.

“Come here.” She waves me forward then grabs my upper arms and thrusts me into her body. She’s taller than me, and her generous chest shakes along my chin. When she pulls back, her hand cradles my cheek. “You’re the spittin’ image of your mom.”

This sentiment has become more common since I turned thirty. Everyone and their mother says how similar I look to my mom now.

“Looks like her mom and business brains like her dad. Perfect combination,” Carol says.

I smile politely.

“Carol, do you have a booth?” Liam asks.

She finally draws back and takes in the fact that we’re here together. Her smile indents further, and I can almost see her mind spinning with thoughts of us. The one good thing I have going for me is that Carol doesn’t gossip. She never has.

The only reason I know that is because we came here as a family when I was five and I had to go to the bathroom so badly. Mom had just had Rome and Denver and between the rest of us, she was too busy to take me. I ended up peeing in my pants. After helping a hysterically crying me get cleaned up and asking Carol for some help, Mom told me, “No one keeps a secret better than Carol.”

“We’re busy, but for you two, I’ll find something. Give me a couple minutes.” She smiles one more time and disappears through the crowd.

I stand with my purse clenched in both hands in front of my body, watching couples in front of the band dance to a ballad. A few glances come our way, but no one says anything or stares for too long.

“Want to look out at the water?” Liam gestures toward the lake and I follow his lead to the railing.

“I’m not sure if we should be here. I mean—”

Liam puts his finger over my lips. “I know you owe me nothing. If anything, I should be helping you move out of my house, but please, let me buy you dinner as an apology. We’ll listen to music, and I won’t hit on you or razz you. We’ll just be two people having dinner. I promise.” He shoves his hands into his pockets.

Carol comes out and says, “I found you guys a great table.” She turns to lead the way but circles back around when she notices us not following.

Liam stands between Carol and me, waiting for me to make my decision.

I could walk out of here and Liam would probably understand. But a large part of me wants to forget for a while. Forget about Bailey Timber. Forget about Buzz Wheel. Forget about my house. Forget about the charity.

I focus on Liam. He’s not even smiling because he probably believes I’ll reject his invitation. That I’m refusing this olive branch he’s holding out between us.

I think it’s time I do something people don’t expect me to.

“Thanks for fitting us in, Carol.” I walk past Liam, whose lips turn up.

“My pleasure.” She leads us to a booth tucked into a secluded corner, but we have a great view of the lake. “I’ll send Keri over to take your order.”

“Thanks.”

She disappears, and we both stare out at the water, ignoring the elephant sitting smack-dab in the middle of the table. If I’m going to put it all behind me, we need to clear the air.

“About last night…”

Liam straightens, his eyes focused on me. “I feel terrible. As soon as I—”

This time I put my finger to his lips. “Let me say something.”

He leans back in the wooden booth. “Okay.”

I tuck my hands under the table, clenching and unclenching them. “You were right. Something in me died when my parents did. I accept your apology, and I need to apologize for the last month. I’m not sure when everything went crazy between us. I am attracted to you, but the girl you seem interested in isn’t me anymore. She’s just not a part of me.”

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