Page 63 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

Of course she did.

“All right, let’s talk about the charity event now that Brooklyn and Wyatt’s reception is over.” Grandma Dori gets down to business.

“I was gonna go around town tomorrow and inquire about what everyone is willing to donate,” Liam pipes up.

“I haven’t had time yet, but I have a list of venues to call. That said, I was thinking about doing something a little different.” I bite my lower lip. Liam clocks the movement, and I let it go.

“I still don’t understand why I can’t plan this thing.” Phoenix practically pouts.

“What are you thinking?” Grandma Dori asks me.

“I thought about having it open to the entire town. I know we usually sell tickets and have tables and make it really fancy, but maybe we have a silent auction. Do it in the square with the gazebo and get food catered in—”

“That’s a big endeavor, Savannah.”

I was certain Grandma Dori wouldn’t agree, but I had to try. “We could do art in the park. We’ll need pictures and art pieces for the new extension. Maybe we make it a contest or something.”

Liam buries his head in the plate. I guess he’s not going to help me win this fight. Either that, or he thinks it’s the worst idea ever.

“I think the people who donate money like the exclusivity of the event. You have all the people outbidding each other just to beat the other one.”

Grandma Dori has a point. People with big checkbooks generally have the egos to match.

“I just think that we’re doing this for the library, which will be for everyone to enjoy. Why not make everyone involved in the donation process and make them feel like they’re contributing?”

Dori sighs.

Liam peeks up at me but says nothing.

“I don’t think it will work,” Grandma Dori says. “The silent auction is okay but we don’t have a ton of time to arrange something in the square that the entire town could participate in. Let’s just stick with the gala and we’ll revisit your idea of opening it up to everyone for the next event.”

I slouch back in my chair and push my plate away, sipping the water Phoenix brought to me.

“I’d like a big cake, maybe decorated like a stack of books or something. We should pick a theme. What’s a popular children’s book? Did either of you have a favorite?” Grandma Dori asks.

“Charlotte’s Web,” I answer.

“Cat in the Hat,” Liam says.

“Tikki Tikki Tembo,” Phoenix says.

I’ve never even heard of it. All three of us turn our heads her way.

“What?” She sips her iced tea.

“There’s a ton we could do, and everyone has their favorite,” I say.

“We could do different stations with the themes,” Liam says. “Maybe we pick, like, six books and the desserts could be themed that way. Maybe we could figure out a way to do a fun poll and let the guests decide either when they purchase the table or when they arrive.”

“I don’t understand,” Grandma Dori says.

Liam looks at me and I nod that I do understand, which makes him smile. I shouldn’t like that something I did gave him enjoyment.

“Let’s say Smokin’ Guns bought a table,” he says. “I’m asked at the time of purchase, ‘Out of these six books, what’s your favorite?’ Then my table is decorated like that book. Or you could tell me I’ll get to pick them when I get there. We have the tables set up with the themes ahead of time, and sponsors pick when they arrive.”

Grandma Dori seems to think it over. “I love it. I’d love to get a poll going to pick the books.” Her eyes light up. “Phoenix, you can handle that. Email Buzz Wheel and ask them if they can include a link to the poll for the next couple of weeks. We’ll get it up on the library web page and make handouts. And see, Savannah, this way the town is involved.”

I give her a tight smile.

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