Page 78 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

A few minutes later, I’m still waiting for my meal and sitting in awe over my encounter with Paisley. Her parents stop at the table to say their thanks, and I slide out of the booth to shake both their hands, but my magazine falls to the floor and opens up on the sex position page.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

The mom looks down and cracks a smile. I scoop it up before Paisley sees it, since she’s begging her dad to buy something from the small machines in the front of the diner. Thank goodness.

“Have a great evening, Miss Bailey.” The mom touches my shoulder, eyeing the magazine.

“Thank you.”

She stops and silently tells her husband to move along with Paisley. “I wanted to thank you myself. My husband worked for North Forest Lumber Company, and when it closed so abruptly, we suddenly didn’t have a paycheck coming in. Bailey Timber taking on so many of those workers saved a lot of families.” She tears up. “You saved us before we ever had a chance to drown, so I wanted to thank you.”

I grab her arms and pull her into me. “You’ve made my night. You and Paisley and your husband. Thank you so much. Thank you so very much.”

She giggles into my shoulder and I catch Paisley staring at us with questions in her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m such a mess.” I let loose an awkward chuckle.

“It’s okay. Please enjoy your night.” The woman pats my shoulder and joins her husband and daughter walking out of Lard Have Mercy.

“Very nice people,” the waitress says, and I slide back into the booth, tucking the magazine into my purse. “They paid for your dinner.”

“No. I can’t—”

“It’s done, honey. They wanted to do it.” She slides my burger, fries, and milkshake on the table.

I’m chomping on my first fry when my phone dings in my purse.

Liam: How’s it going? I’m between clients.

Me: Better than I could have imagined.

Liam: Please tell me you’re not getting an orgasm from the blueberry pie?

I laugh, and the waitress glances over.

Me: Well, it HAS been awhile.

Liam: We could solve that problem tonight. ;)

Me: I thought you weren’t supposed to flirt with me.

Liam: I may have to take that back and call myself a liar. It’s too hard not to.

Me: LIAM.

Liam: SAVANNAH.

Me: Thanks for making me do this.

Liam: You’re welcome. <3

I tuck my phone into my purse and eat my burger and my fries, thinking about how taking on the workers from the North Forest Lumber Company is what’s put a dent in our profits. We didn’t take over as many contracts as I thought we would after Clint Edison was arrested for embezzlement and his company shut down. But seeing the result of that decision—a family that isn’t out on the street—seals for me that it was the right decision. I’m confident the contracts will come. We just have to stay afloat until they do.

I’m finishing my milkshake when the bell above the door rings.

“Hey, stranger.” Juno slides into the booth across from me, the ever-present Colton at her side.

“Hey.”

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