Love Handles (Oakland Hills #1)(74)

“Then you must come over for my famous chicken lasagna. Your daughter has become like family to us. Both of my sons are crazy about her, though of course I’m not supposed to talk about that sort of thing. Sorry, honey.” She smiled at Bev.

“Oh, I’m fine,” Bev assured her, feeling wobbly during her out-of-body experience.

Kate appeared in the doorway. “Oh, my God! Those are frickin’ awesome dogs!” She fell down to the ground and held out her hands. “Are these the little guys I hear next door?”

“This must be your other daughter. What beautiful girls,” Trixie said. Her smile grew crafty. “I’ve got more pups back at the house, and they love to make new friends.”

Liam muttered something unintelligible under his breath, then, more loudly, “Mother, please. Let’s leave them to their reunion   in private.”

“How do you care for so many dogs at a time?” Kate asked.

“Oh, I work with a rescue group. I shouldn’t have so many at once, but soon a few of them will have new homes.”

“Oh, oh!” Kate said, eyes lighting up. “What do I have to do to get one?”

Gail stared at Liam as though she’d just realized who he was. “You’re the Olympic swimmer. My father’s protégé.”

He paused. “Yes. I worked for your father for many years.”

“And now for us,” Gail said.

“Us?” Bev snorted, then swallowed it when her mother grabbed her arm and squeezed the tendons above her elbow.

Her smile not betraying the pain she was inflicting upon her child, Gail beamed at Trixie. “Fite has always been a family business. I’m very glad to meet your famous son—and so much sooner than I’d hoped.”

“Can I come over and see the other puppies?” Kate asked.

Bev jumped in, alarm bells ringing. “Mom, you’ve been on the road all day, you must be tired—”

“Mark just came back to the nest for a while,” Trixie said. “Which is why I made such a feast, but my boys don’t eat like they used to, and I’d really appreciate your help—all of you—in helping us put it away.”

“It would be our pleasure,” Gail said. “We’ll be over in a few minutes.”

Bev and Liam’s eyes met in shared pain.





Chapter 18

“Heads up, Mark.” Liam strode into his brother’s bedroom and flicked on the overhead light. He was plugged into a computer in the corner with his headphones on and bowl of neon-red Cheetos at his side, and blinked up at Liam like a child coming out of a dream.

“Was there an earthquake?” He took off his headphones.

“More like an invasion. Mom’s invited the neighbors, and they’re all female.” Liam looked him over, shaking his head at the sight. “Thought I’d give you a chance to freshen up.”

“Bev’s coming over?”

The eagerness in his voice made Liam cringe, in part from recognition. Liam was just as pathetic, but better at hiding it. Glad Bev couldn’t see him, Liam grabbed the bowl of Cheetos and scooped a handful into his mouth. “And her sister. And her mother.” He peered down at an open suitcase on the floor overflowing with t-shirts and boxers and jeans. He was pretty sure the sour smell he was inhaling was coming from there. “Got anything to wear that doesn’t stink? You’ll spoil my dinner.” Then again, he wouldn’t have to worry about Bev finding him attractive.

“Sister?” he asked. “Is she as nice as Bev?”

Liam hesitated only for a moment before smiling. “Nicer, even.”

Mark clicked off his monitor and spun around in his seat. “Do I have time to shave?”

“Time before what?”

“Before they get here.”

“Oh, they’re already here, drinking the new Shiraz.”

The visible anxiety in his brother’s face never failed to amaze Liam. Mark was a good-looking guy, brilliant, and when he was relaxed, totally charming. But his self-confidence was crippled. Their father had given what little patience he had with children to Liam, and only then when he showed signs of paying him back for some of the effort, like a business investment. Mark had simply never paid out.

“I’ll sit next to you if you want.” Liam slapped Mark on the shoulder.

Mark bent over and picked a t-shirt out of the pile. Sniffed it, frowned, chose another. He tore off the shirt he was wearing and dropped it into the suitcase, then turned his attention to his pants. “Jeans okay?”

“They’ve got stains all down the front.”

“It’s just coffee.”

“Still, a stickler might suggest a fresh pair.”

“Ah.” He unbuttoned the fly and let them drop.

Trixie flew into the room. “Liam! Where did you go?” Bev was right behind her. At least, until she saw Mark and ducked back into the hallway. “Oh, nice of you to change for dinner, honey,” Trixie added.

“Mom!” Mark pulled his pants back up, his chest and face flushing red. He looked like he might be sick.

Trixie said, “I wanted Bev to see the fog rolling in. This room has the best view.”

Liam frowned at his her, suspicious. “Her house next door points in the same direction. I imagine she’s seen it.”