Tinsel

by Perry, Devney

  Though I would take Xavier’s advice. I’d do right by us both.

  Was I considering making a play for Sofia Kendrick? Despite my better judgment, the fact that she was my boss’s sister-in-law and the slew of other reasons this was fucking stupid, the answer was yes.

  I was considering it.

  Maybe if we could come to an understanding, a kiss in the bar wouldn’t be out of the question. Maybe Sofia and I could have a little fun for the next nine days, then go our separate ways.

  Though I doubted I’d ever see a lime wedge again and not think of her smile.

  “Hi, how are you?” I asked as Aubrey answered my call.

  “Hello. And I’m good.” The sound of fingers flying over a keyboard echoed in the background. I didn’t need to see her to know that her headset was on in one ear, her eyes were on a computer screen, and her brain was focused on something other than my phone call.

  “I was just calling to tell you I won’t be able to make our lunch date next week.”

  “Fine.”

  The clicking in the background continued, this time with more fury. I felt bad for the person on the receiving end of whatever response she was hammering out.

  “I’m in Montana.”

  “I know. Dad told me you took the plane on a spur-of-the-moment trip.” Her tone was full of annoyance, like it was an inconvenience for me to use the family’s private jet.

  Maybe she thought I hadn’t earned that privilege, unlike her. Except the only time she needed the Gulfstream was when she had a business meeting to attend and the company’s plane was already spoken for.

  Someone should use the plane. Why not me?

  “I’ve been, um . . . working,” I told her.

  The clicking stopped. “Working?”

  “Yes. I’m helping at the bar while Thea and Logan are in Paris.”

  There was silence on her end for a few moments, then the clicking continued without another word.

  Seriously? That was her reaction? I didn’t expect Aubrey to throw me a parade for doing two days’ worth of work, but she could at least acknowledge I was completely out of my comfort zone.

  No, all I got was more background typing, reminding me that my life would never be as important as the job she’d married at twenty-one.

  “Are you doing anything for New Year’s Eve?” I asked, still trying like I always did with Aubrey. Though I think my efforts just annoyed her more.

  “No plans.” Her lips were pursed, I was sure of it.

  “Oh. Um, are you seeing anyone new?” Or anyone at all?

  The last time there had been a man in Aubrey’s life was three years ago, and he’d only lasted six months. He’d quickly learned that he’d always come in second place to her job.

  Clearly the man was smarter than me.

  I was still trying to compete.

  “No, I’m not seeing anyone,” Aubrey huffed. “I don’t need to have a guy in my life to feel satisfied.”

  That’s your thing, Sofia. Not mine.

  The words were unspoken, but I heard them loud and clear nonetheless. I’d heard them many times before, and just like always, they burned.

  Aubrey frowned upon me because I was always in a relationship—well, it was one of the reasons she frowned upon me. In her eyes, it made me weak and dependent.

  Maybe she was right.

  “Okay.” I sighed. “You’re busy. I’ll let you go. Happy New Year.”

  “Thanks. Same to you.” And the line went dead.

  I stared at my phone for a moment, replaying our short conversation. Was it time to give up? We were in our thirties. Maybe it was time I just accepted I would never be friends with my sister.

  Aubrey and I had never been close. Even as kids, we’d never shared that sisterly bond. We hadn’t played Barbies or braided one another’s hair. We hadn’t fought over the same toys or what to watch on TV. At times, she felt more like an acquaintance than my sister. When we met for our monthly lunch, she’d spend most of the hour checking messages and emails while I scrolled through social media or texted.

  She was too much like my dad, driven and competitive. My lack of enthusiasm for the things they found most important exasperated them.

  What was my passion?

  I searched for an answer but came up empty.

  Scrolling through my contacts, I passed by my friends’ names, not feeling like texting any of them. Not one of them had called me even once since the magazine article had been released.

  Friends was probably too fond a word for most of the names in my phone.

  Over the last few years, I’d made it a point to cull toxic friendships from my life. After I’d treated Thea so badly during our first introduction and Logan had threatened to cut me off from my trust fund, it had been a wake-up call.

  I’d played games. I’d lost.

  I was just lucky it hadn’t cost me my brother.

  Most of the girlfriends I’d been hanging out with at the time hadn’t wanted friendship. They’d wanted access to my social connections or my handsome, billionaire brother. It seemed my taste in friends was as good as it was in men.

  So I’d ghosted the ones who loved to use others and play games. They were probably planning a brunch to get together and toast my demise by magazine article.

  Whatever. In truth, there hadn’t been many to trim. I’d always had a lot of acquaintances, women who ran in the same circles as my family so we’d see each other at functions. But they’d never been true friends.

  Still, my breakup with Jay had been hard, not only because we’d been together for so long, but because I hadn’t had anyone to talk to.

  Sometimes, even a bad friend who listened was better than no friend at all.

  Aubrey was only two years older than I was and would make a wonderful best friend.

  If we could get along.

  I carried my phone across the living room at Thea and Logan’s house to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs positioned by a window. The front of the home was filled with huge glass panes that overlooked their snow-covered yard and Flathead Lake beyond.

  It was frozen now, but in the summer, the lake was magical, with glassy blue water that begged me to run my fingers over its smooth surface.

  Right now, it just looked cold and empty.

  Like my life.

  I turned away from the view and let my eyes travel around the living room.

  This house was so different than the sprawling estate where Logan, Aubrey and I had grown up. This home was beautiful, with its cedar shakes and tall roof peaks. Logan had bought one of the most expensive homes in the area. But it wasn’t ostentatious. It had a casual, homey feel, which was probably due to Thea being so down-to-earth.

  The furniture was high-end, but it was functional. The coffee table held books that were actually being read. The throw blankets on the couch had been snuggled under on movie night. There wasn’t a coaster in sight, because here, you set your coffee mug directly on the end tables.

  There was green crayon on the wall by the television. Thea’s own artwork adorned the walls, her dimensional pieces the shelves. A basket in the corner overflowed with baby toys.

  This home was alive and full of personality. It was full of love.

  It was the polar opposite of my penthouse apartment in the city.

  My housekeeper cleaned rooms every week that hadn’t seen a person, other than her, in months. I hadn’t thought a thing of it before. So why did that seem so silly at the moment?

  Outside, evergreens towered over the road running around the edge of the lake. Their faces were taking the full force of the sun’s morning rays, making their ice-covered needles sparkle.

  Malcom had added that same sparkle to the photo for the magazine.

  That goddamn magazine.

  Since that article had landed on my doorstep, I’d been questioning everything about my life.

  Every. Single. Thing.

  I lived in a high-rise penthouse in a glitzy neighbo
rhood in SoHo. I had a trust fund that would keep me living in finery for the rest of my life. I had complete freedom with no job or responsibilities.

  So why wasn’t I happy? What was I missing? Normally, I would have blown the magazine article off by now. Why was it still niggling at me?

  I’d been trying so hard these last few years, giving up nasty friendships and helping more with Mom’s charities or family functions. Yet no one in my family seemed to see it. I’d had such high hopes that someone from the outside would.

  That reporter’s words would not stop haunting me. Superficial. Gaudy. Flighty.

  “I’m not those things,” I mumbled to no one. Was I?

  Shaking it off, I unlocked my phone, pulling up Mom’s number in the hope that talking to one of my parents would give me a sense of normalcy.

  I hadn’t talked to Dad since the magazine had come out. And as much as I would like to make sure he wasn’t still upset with me, I knew better than to call him during work hours. Really, I’d been lucky that Aubrey had answered.

  Maybe we weren’t as hopeless as I’d thought.

  Dad would have sent me straight to voicemail. But Mom, as always, answered immediately.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Sweetheart, how are you? Are you enjoying your vacation?”

  “Uh . . . yeah. Though it isn’t much of a vacation. Believe it or not, I’m working at Thea’s bar.”

  “I’m sorry, Sofia. I think your connection must be spotty. What did you say?”

  “I said, I’m working at Thea’s bar.”

  A wave of panic hit as the other end of the phone went completely still. Was she disappointed? Had I stooped too low? Mom didn’t discriminate against blue-collar jobs, but then again, they’d never been held down by her youngest daughter.

  The family’s image was always paramount.

  To my knowledge, Mom had never worked. She’d met Dad in college and they’d married young. It was ironic that my siblings had condemned me for never getting a job when our mother had never had one either.

  Though Mom did volunteer with select charities and was a member of numerous clubs. Plus, she was a mother.

  I’d always considered it lucky I hadn’t gotten pregnant since my exes had all turned out to be awful men. I was fortunate not to be tied to any of them forever. But maybe if I had children, that reporter would have left me alone entirely. Maybe there wouldn’t be the tension between me and my family members.

  Maybe there wouldn’t still be silence on the other end of the phone.

  “Mom?”

  “I’m here.” She cleared her throat. “You just took me by surprise.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. I’m . . . you’re really working?”

  “Yes.” Harder than ever before. “Just helping while Thea and Logan are on their trip.”

  “That’s wonderful. I’m sure they’re happy to have you.”

  I laughed. “I don’t know about that. But I’m trying.”

  Not just for myself, but for Dakota. I had this powerful urge to make up for my awful first impression. Not only because he was a man who made my heart race and my palms sweat. But because he’d become my chauffeur, mentor and keeper. My presence had put him out, and I guess I wanted to make it easy on him if I could.

  When I’d gotten up yesterday morning, I’d promised myself I would keep a positive attitude at the bar. I’d make the best of the situation.

  And to my delight, we’d had a good day.

  Some might even call it fun.

  “When are you coming home?” Mom asked.

  “As soon as Thea and Logan get home. The plane will be here already so that way the pilot won’t have to make a special trip back for me.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

  “It’s okay. It’ll be time for me to come home anyway.” Hiding in Lark Cove wasn’t a long-term solution to my problems.

  “Let’s have dinner when you return.”

  “I’d love that. Anyway, I’ll let you go. I just wanted to say hello. Happy New Year. I’ll give you and Dad a call tomorrow.”

  “All right.” But before I hung up, she stopped me. “Sofia?”

  “Yes?”

  “I’m proud of you for helping Logan and Thea.”

  My chest swelled. “Thank you.”

  “Good-bye.”

  I was smiling as I took the phone away from my ear. When was the last time she’d said she was proud of me? It had to have been a while. The rush of pride running through my blood, warming me from head to toe, felt foreign.

  Lillian Kendrick, a woman well-known for her social stature, exquisite taste and impeccable manners, was proud of her daughter for working in a rustic, Montana bar.

  I can’t wait to tell Dakota.

  That thought jolted me in my seat. I’d only known the man a couple of days, yet he was consuming my thoughts.

  The same thing had happened when I’d met my second husband, Bryson.

  I’d been recovering from my divorce with Kevin, keeping a low profile because I’d just been made a fool, thanks to my cheating husband. But a friend had begged me to attend her art gallery exhibit. Get back out there. Show him he didn’t deserve you in the first place. That’s what she’d told me.

  Looking back, I realized her motives were entirely selfish. She’d wanted my attendance to create a buzz for her show. The only time I’d heard from her since was when she was hosting another event.

  Bryson had been there that night. He’d introduced himself, handed me a glass of champagne and flashed me his sexy smile. I’d fallen into him instantly. And he’d consumed my thoughts from that moment on, holding them captive until we’d unraveled so spectacularly.

  According to the gossip circle, he’d married his mistress after our divorce and they now had a little girl. They were living comfortably, thanks to the check I’d written Bryson to go away forever. I didn’t know how long the pair had been playing me—I hadn’t asked—though I assumed from the very beginning.

  I’d been a blind fool. Again.

  So as much as I wanted Dakota to kiss me up one side and down the other, his uncle’s timing had likely saved me from another mistake. I didn’t need to get wrapped up in a man right now, not after my last three disasters.

  Though, Dakota seemed different. Even with my track record, I knew he was nothing like Kevin, Bryson or Jay. Dakota didn’t pander to me. When I annoyed him, his voice was full of irritation and he’d snap. He clenched his jaw when he was losing his patience. When he did give me a compliment, it was short and sweet. None of my exes would have ever let on that I was driving them crazy. And their gushing praise was always over the top.

  Dakota was different because he had pride. It was part of his makeup, like bones and muscle. It ran through his blood.

  It was insanely sexy.

  I checked the time on my phone. I had about ten minutes before he was due to pick me up. It was going to be hectic and stressful at the party, but I was giddy with excitement for tonight. Not just for the festivities, but to show Dakota that his faith in me wasn’t misplaced.

  I was going to be at my absolute best tonight. I’d make him proud. Maybe I’d make myself proud along the way too. I was facing a new year from a strange place and a strange position. But maybe this shake-up was long overdue.

  Maybe it was time to start a year off in tennis shoes instead of stilettos.

  I stood and left the living room, heading toward Thea’s closet to borrow another pair of shoes. I was just passing the front door—the locked front door—when the deadbolt flipped and the knob turned.

  I gasped, staggering backward as my heart lodged in my throat. I was about to scream my head off when Piper swung open the door.

  “Hi!” She came inside with a stack of papers tucked under her arm.

  My entire frame fell, my heart dropping back into its normal place from my throat. “Oh my god. You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Sorry.” She winced. �
�I should have rung the doorbell first.”

  “It’s fine.” I waved it off as she came over and gave me a quick hug.

  Piper was Logan’s assistant at the Kendrick Foundation, our family’s charitable organization. She’d worked for him for years in the city and was his most trusted and favorite employee. When she’d gone through a nasty divorce a while back, he’d convinced her to move to Montana and work with him out here.

  I’d figured the move would be temporary, but then she’d met her handsome husband, Kaine, and Montana had become her forever home. They had twin boys who were almost one.

  “You look happy.”

  She tucked a strand of her chestnut hair behind an ear. “Thank you. And you look beautiful, as always.”

  “Thank you.”

  I’d known Piper for a long time and had always thought she was gorgeous. But her happiness had taken her to a whole new level since she’d moved to Montana. Her skin glowed and her smile radiated through the room.

  “So how are you doing?” she asked.

  “I’m good. You?”

  “I’m fantastic. I just wanted to swing by and drop off some paperwork.”

  “On New Year’s Eve?” I asked. “My brother isn’t even here. He needs to cut you some slack.”

  “He sure does.” Her eyes scanned me up and down, looking over every inch twice.

  “What?” I inspected my clothing. “Why are you looking—wait. You’re not here to drop off paperwork. My brother sent you here to check on me, didn’t he?”

  She hesitated a moment but nodded. “Sorry. He was worried.”

  “Ugh.” I rolled my eyes. “It’s been two days. I’m fine.”

  “I tried to tell him that too, but he just wanted to be sure. He loves you.”

  “Yeah,” I muttered. “I love him too.”

  And this check-in was irritably kind. Logan had always been protective of me, even if he did claim that I gave him gray hair.

  “Okay, now that I’ve seen you’re alive and still standing, I can report back to Logan. I’ll just drop these papers in the office before Kaine comes in search of me. The boys are probably going nuts in their car seats since we’ve been stopped for ten seconds. They don’t like being trapped. Stop lights are stressful right now.”