Page 56 of Beauty
“Yes, she totally will,” Liv says as she stands and rests her hands on her desk.
Their offices are side by side, with a door connecting the two. I have no idea how she gets any work done with him around. He spends his days fawning over her, while she vacillates between being charmed by him and being annoyed. She’s a saint, really, for putting up with him.
He, on the other hand, is head-over-heels in love with her. Though I’d never admit it, it’s sweet. And he does mean well.
I have to remind myself of that last part often.
“Thanks for coming early,” Liv says as she eases into her office chair.
Her professional tone has my hackles rising. “Is this a formal thing?”
“Yes,” Beckett cuts in. “But first tell me about the date last night.”
Ignoring him, I drop into the soft velvet guest chair and drag my fingers over the fabric. “This is nice.”
Liv smiles. “Thanks. I redecorated a few months ago. Thought it was time for some updates.”
“Hello?” Beckett huffs.
Sighing, I drop my head back and pin him with a look. “He didn’t show up.”
He breaks into a bewildered frown. “What do you mean he didn’t show up?”
I straighten and shrug easily. It wasn’t a big deal. Honestly, I was relieved. “He texted an apology, at least. He said he didn’t think he could go out with Beckett’s younger sister. And I quote, ‘No offense, but picturing Beckett Langfield while eating dinner would be a total turnoff.’”
My brother’s eyes narrow to slits, and his face turns red. “Jasper Quinn didwhat?”
Liv sucks in a harsh breath. “You did not try to set her up with JasperFreakingQuinn.”
He stomps to the open door and bellows, “Man Bun!”
Cortney Miller, Beckett’s close friend and the GM of the baseball team, materializes out of thin air in Liv’s doorway. He’s giant, like Brooks, with long blond hair tied back in a bun.
Now that I think about it, Cortney might be the player Beckett was wooing all those years ago that led to me traveling to the Bahamas alone.
My wrist itches at that thought. Before I can give in to the sensation and rub my fingers across the butterfly that used to bring me such hope, I ball my hands into fists.
Cortney puts his hands on his hips, his brows lifted expectantly. “What?”
“Quinn is out. Demarco is in.”
Cortney lets out a heavy sigh. “You sure?”
Liv huffs a frustrated breath. “You can’t trade Jasper Quinn because he didn’t go on a date with your sister.”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“I asked him if he could be a team player,” Beckett says, ignoring me. “He’s been on thin ice, but I gave him one more chance to prove to me he could grow up. All he had to do was take Sienna out. Make her laugh. Show her a good time. I didn’t ask him to sleep with her.”
“Beckett Langfield,” Liv hisses.
My brother’s eyes go wide, and he takes a step back, like he suddenly realized just how much shit he’s gotten himself into. “Can I have a minute to talk to my sister alone?”
“Beckett,” I fume. “You can’t fire a player because he didn’t want to hang out with me.”
My brother no longer looks contrite. “I can and I will. I hate seeing you like this, and I hate knowing that I’m to blame.”
I sink into the plush velvet, wishing I could become one with the fabric. That’s what should happen to designers when we can no longer design. We should be given the decency of dying a gentle death, forever being comforted by the materials that bring us joy.
