Page 102 of Beautiful Lies
“That’s great.”
“Yeah, it is. Zeke helped me set it up as a non-profit organization.” I nodded, knowing this. “We need someone to run it. You’d be perfect for the job.”
“What? Me? I don’t know anything about…what would this job entail?”
“Fundraising. Grant writing.” He waved his hand in the air. “Zeke’s putting together a job description. You meet all the qualifications. There’s nobody we’d rather have.”
“I have a job. A job I like.”
“A job you’re bored in. You need a new challenge.”
“Who told you this? Connor?”
“Connor. And Zeke.”
I opened my mouth to protest but closed it again. I’d gotten comfortable at Trinity Bar, but Killian wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t challenged anymore. I could do the job in my sleep but this sounded like a big job and I didn’t know if I had the skills. “Killian, I’m not corporate. I don’t think I could talk to bigwigs, you know. And you see how I dress…”
“It’s a non-profit for at-risk youth. Your outfits will fit right in.”
I snorted laughter and smacked his arm. “I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Ava. You were twenty-one when you started working at the bar, fitting it into your college schedule and still getting the work done. You built my UFC career. Because of your social media skills, I got sponsors. I never would have done that on my own.”
That was bullshit. His fans loved him, and he was one of the most popular UFC fighters ever. But he knew why I did that for him. It was my way of saying thank you so I didn’t dispute what he said.
“Think about it,” Killian said, referring to the job.
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow night. If you don’t come, Eden will never forgive you.”
I laughed a little. “No pressure then.”
“He wants you there. He needs you.” Killian shook his head. “He’s just being…”
“A bonehead? Runs in the family. You’ve had your moments.”
“Yeah, I know.” Killian chuckled under his breath then his humor faded and his face grew serious. “Give him some time. Me and Connor…we’re trying to learn how to be good men,” he said, looking more vulnerable than I’d ever seen him. He rubbed the back of his neck and I knew it made him uncomfortable to expose himself like that.
“You and Connor don’t need to learn how. You already are good men. Boneheads. But still…good men. The very best kind of men.” I pushed open the door and hopped out of the SUV. “Thanks for the chat,” I said before I closed the door.
He held up his hand and watched through the window. I knew he’d keep watching until I was safely inside. As I climbed my stairs, I thought how lucky I’d been to have the Vincent brothers in my life. They’d both been there for me, in different ways, at different times when I’d needed them. I’d be there tomorrow night. I didn’t want to miss the chance of seeing Connor get all the praise he deserved. I knew how good his art was and I knew that everyone who walked into that gallery would see it too.
* * *
Connor
Christmas tree lightsshone through the lace curtains of the bay window, the flicker of the TV in the background. I climbed the steps to the porch and took a few deep breaths before I rang the doorbell, smiling as “Joy to The World” signaled my arrival. Through the frosted glass panes, I saw the hallway light come on.
“Who is it?” Lars asked from the other side of the door. It was only eight o’clock which I’d hoped was a civilized time for a visit, but I’d come unannounced.
“Connor Vincent.”
The door opened, and Lars Christensen stood on the other side, his brows going up a notch as he eyed the flowers in my hand. A Christmas bouquet, red and white flowers with sprigs of berries and eucalyptus. I’d deliberated over these flowers for so long the lady at the shop had been concerned for my welfare. “Who are they for, honey?”
“My girlfriend’s parents,” I’d said, not expanding on that.
“Oh well then…you wanna make a good impression. I have a feeling they’re going to love you, with or without the flowers but we’ll make sure they’re beautiful, just to be on the safe side.” She’d winked at me like we were in on this together and I had no doubt that she’d meant well but, unfortunately, she had no idea how wrong she was.
