Page 64 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

“This is perfect. But I think I like the way they pick a table when they arrive.” She scribbles on the pad of paper she brought. “Savannah, you’ll talk to Greta down at Sweet Suga Things?”

“Once we figure out the books.”

“Yes, that’s right.” Grandma Dori points at me. “I’m so excited I got ahead of myself.” She giggles.

I don’t, and Liam chuckles. Phoenix is lost in her head somewhere, so she doesn’t even seem to know what’s going on.

“Savannah, you secure the venue. Liam, start going around to businesses. Phoenix—Phoenix?” Grandma Dori inhales a deep breath.

“Phoenix!” I yell.

She startles in her chair. It tips back and she loses her center of gravity but recovers quickly, grabbing the edge of the table, her face ghost-white. “Jesus.”

“Get the poll going. Let’s come up with a list for them to vote on.”

We decide on the books to include in the poll, and even Phoenix’s pick gets on the list. After it’s done, Grandma Dori and Phoenix excuse themselves, leaving me alone with Liam. We’re both done eating, and I’m highly aware that we’re surrounded by windows. I can probably expect to find myself in Buzz Wheel again.

“Why don’t you push your ideas more?” he asks.

“It’s no use. Grandma Dori always gets her way. She’s technically the owner.” I’d like to point out that it’s not as though he came to my defense. He could’ve sided with me and maybe she would’ve folded, although I highly doubt it. Two years into taking over the company, I tried to get more ideas of my own into play, but Grandma Dori likes things her way. How can I refute her advice on what’s right and wrong to do for Bailey Timber? She’s been a part of it for the majority of her life.

“You never know until you try.”

I nod. “Is that lesson number two? I have to tell off Grandma Dori?”

He laughs. “No. I’m not going to be that forceful with you, but I was thinking that maybe you could come along on a couple visits to the local businesses, asking for donations?”

My forehead wrinkles. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why?” He leans back, crossing his arms.

“Because everyone in this town loves you. Me, not so much. We don’t have to pretend you didn’t overhear my heated discussion with the union rep. Those people live in this town. They think I want to keep all the Bailey money to myself. Now I’m going to ask their sister, brother, cousins, and whoever else to donate something to give away during an exclusive dinner only accessible to the wealthiest people in the area?”

He stares at me for a moment, soaking in my words. When he opens his mouth, I’m already turned off to anything he’s going to say.

“I think you’ve not only lost sight of yourself, you’ve lost sight of the people of this town.” He stands and tucks in his chair. “I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Unsure of what to say, I stare at him while he walks around the conference table.

He rests his hand on my shoulder and leans down to my ear. “I’ll see you at home, honey.”

With the click of the door shutting behind him, I search for meaning in his earlier words. I’ve never imagined living anywhere other than Lake Starlight. I love it, but Liam’s right. Lately I dodge downtown as though it’s flush with flesh-eating zombies. Who is Liam Kelly? Lake Starlight’s Buddha?

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