Page 114 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

Thirty-Six

Savannah

It’s finally the night of the charity gala. Since Liam and I couldn’t arrive together, I chose to get ready at home instead of at his house. I want to catch his eye from across the room when he sees me in my red dress for the first time. Plus, I had to sneak in his big surprise.

The venue we chose is the Lakeside Grill. It’s in Lake Starlight and big enough that we can fit all the tables that sold. I’m organizing the silent auction items while the waitstaff finishes setting the tables and filling water glasses.

“This is so cute. This was our best idea ever,” Grandma Dori coos. “The Cat in the Hat table is my favorite. Oh, but the Goodnight Moon one is adorable too.”

I face her as she’s walking from table to table. “They turned out great, right?”

“If this doesn’t get us enough for the addition, I’ll be shocked.”

We’re both happier now that Bailey Timber has the new contracts we obtained this week.

“I’m partial to Charlotte’s Web myself. And did you see the dessert tables with each theme? Greta outdid herself.”

Grandma Dori shifts her attention to the back wall where the dessert tables are lined up. Each one has a cake to go with the theme, along with bite-sized sweet treats. “She sure did.”

Silence fills the room, other than the clinking of silverware. I straighten the pads of paper and make sure there’s a pen at every station. I double-check the silent auction for a one-of-a-kind painting by a new Lake Starlight artist and bite my lip while staring at the easel I placed it on. Liam did an amazing job of capturing the town of Lake Starlight—the gazebo is lit up with twinkle lights, and the changing trees surrounding the square have the most vibrant colors. Even down to the miniscule details of each storefront. I question whether I’m doing the right thing, but he won’t be upset once he sees how high the bids reach.

“Whoa! It’s gorgeous in here,” Brooklyn says. Her gold dress and Wyatt’s black suit make them look as if they just flew in from New York City. Wyatt bought a table but put it in the name of Brooklyn’s company. He could’ve used the resort, but he said Brooklyn’s business needed the advertising more. He’s a keeper. “Heard about you and Liam. You cougar, you.”

I smile tightly.

She sighs since she knows my body language. “It’s a joke. I’m kidding.”

“I know.” But I hold up my hands to say we’re not talking about it here.

“It’s a good thing. I’m sure all that anger is good for your sex life.”

“Brook.” Wyatt shakes his head but slides his arm around her back. “We said we weren’t going to say anything.”

“She’s my sister. She’s secretly dating the town bad boy. Come on.”

“We’re going to look around. You did a great job.” Wyatt whisks an arguing Brooklyn away.

Her remark about my anger throws me off-kilter. I haven’t fought with Liam for weeks. Unless you consider this semi-silent toddler treatment he’s been giving me since I said we’d be open about our relationship after tonight. But Brooklyn hasn’t seen us together lately. All she remembers is how much we nitpicked one another.

I help the manager put up the barriers for the silent auction since I’m going to announce each item and describe it right after dinner.

More guests arrive, and I make the rounds. Austin and Holly look as though they’ve spray-tanned themselves because no one gets that dark during the summer in Alaska. Rome and Harley already have drinks in their hands by the time I catch them.

“No kids!” They clink their glasses together.

Denver comes with Phoenix, and they sit at the Lifetime Adventures table. Juno and Colton come to represent the veterinarian’s office. Kingston got called to a fire, and Sedona isn’t coming back from New York for this.

The Baileys in attendance appear to be doing their own thing. The one person I don’t spot while greeting and thanking everyone is the man who bought the Smokin’ Guns Tattoos table.

I walk over to Rhys, who’s sitting at the table with four girls I don’t recognize and two guys. The guys work at Smokin’ Guns. The girls don’t. And why are there four of them? I repeat in my head how much I trust Liam. I just don’t like that I’ll be at the Bailey Timber Corporation table at the front while he’ll be in the back, but I chose this.

“Hey, do you know if Liam is here?” I ask.

One girl turns to me and looks me up and down, but I ignore her.

Rhys bites his lip. “I haven’t seen him yet, but he told me to secure The Cat in the Hat table.” He fidgets with a red-and-blue bowtie left on the table for photo ops.

I nod. “Thanks.”

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