Page 95 of Falling for my Brother's Best Friend

Thirty

Liam

Ifinally convinced Savannah to accompany me to some of the local businesses to solicit donations for the library gala auction. I’ve already gone to most of them, but I have a few more to hit. First she made me go to Sweet Suga Things, but I’m not complaining about getting to taste-test cake and icing.

Now, we’re at Lifetime Adventures, which is way out of her element.

“Ready?” I ask, almost taking her hand before we walk in, but catching myself and sliding my hand into my pocket instead.

“I guess.”

“Relax. This is Denver’s mentor, remember? No pressure. Plus, he always donates. I gave you an easy one.”

She laughs, but there’s a nervous hitch to it. I wish I could put my arms around her and kiss her forehead, but her rules dictate that I can’t. As much as I understand that Savannah has always worried about her reputation in Lake Starlight, I hate that she’s put us on the down-low. It makes me feel like I always do with her—that I’m not good enough.

The bell chimes as we push through the door of the log-cabin-style building. The office is small with a ton of brochures on display, along with a TV mounted up high, rotating video clips of various excursions. Denver’s mug is front and center in a few. There’s a small table set to the side to discuss the different offerings.

“Look.” Savannah points at an article about Denver and that music producer, Griffin Thorne, he saved after his small plane went down a couple of years back. I read it when it first came out, and in it, Denver praises Chip for everything he learned that got him out of the bush. “I should’ve come here ages ago. My family owes Chip for working with Denver so much.”

“Stop worrying.”

Right before I ring the bell for service, the door to the back office opens. Out steps a blonde who’s close to my age and dressed like Savannah in heels and executive wear. Her hair is pulled into a low ponytail, and she stops in her tracks when she sees us. “Oh, hi.”

“Hi,” Savannah says.

“Is Chip around?” I ask. She clearly has something to do with this place if she’s behind the closed office door, though I wonder where Nancy, Chip’s long-time office administrator, is.

“No.”

Savannah looks at me. “Okay, what about Nancy?”

“No.”

This woman sure makes it easy to hold a conversation. “I’m Liam Kelly, and this is Savanah Bailey.”

“Bailey? As in related to Denver Bailey?” she asks as if that wouldn’t be a good thing.

Savannah looks at me again. “Um… he’s my brother.”

Her hands go up in the air and her eyes roll back. Oh shit. I wonder whether Denver screwed her or screwed her over. “Well, Chip and Nancy aren’t here. If you want to book a tour, do it online. Someone will get back to you.”

“Do you know when they’ll return? We have to talk to Chip about donating to the charity auction for the new extension on the library. It’s going to be a children’s wing.” I pull out the info sheet we put together—but this girl clearly isn’t interested in hearing any of it.

“Nancy should be here, but I think she’s out at lunch. Priorities, right?”

I inhale and lean forward as if I’m asking her a secret. “And you are?”

She laughs. “Of course you have no idea who I am. I’m sure my father never talks about me.” She sticks out her hand. “Cleo Dawson. Daughter of Chip Dawson.”

I knew Chip had a daughter, but I’ve never met her. I run into Chip a few times a year, and most of those times are when I’m with Denver and he drags me here. Chip’s a cool guy, but I never pried into his personal life.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say.

Savannah and I shake her hand.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for me to get the hell out of this frozen tundra.”

It’s summer now, not winter, but I don’t bother correcting her. Cleo breezes by us and we’re left alone, staring at one another in confusion.

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