Modern Arrangements: Complete Trilogy (Modern Arrangements #1-3) (7 page)

"What about all your
friends
?"
Both brows rose.

"To be honest, I was stupid to keep
Elora at arm's length," he looked down remorsefully. "When I thought
that she may be gone…with you…" he looked up to meet my gaze, "it was
my reality check." He smiled small, unsure of my reaction.

I stood up and walked over to him
quickly.

"Congratulations!" I pulled
him into a tight hug.

"Thanks!" He looked genuinely
happy. "You know you’re my best man, right?"

"I better be!" With a smack to
his back, he led us toward my office door. Once James was gone, I sat back into
my chair and put my head in my hands.

How is it that I go on a date and she
leaves with my best friend? Then the girl I had been dating ends up in love and
engaged to my cousin? What the hell is wrong with this picture?

Three hours later, as I sat listening to
the marketing department debate with the sales team about the cost and
inefficiency of customizing all of our marketing pieces,  I began to debate my
decision to be a part of the monthly department update calls.

A text from James quickly drew my
attention away from the discussion.

Club, Inc.. Tonight. 9pm. Be There
Fuckers!

Dropping the cell back onto my desk, I
couldn’t wait for this call to finish up.  Drinks at the club were looking more
and more appealing.

Around eight thirty, I arrived to the
club. Celia stood behind the bar. She sauntered over, smiling, as I slipped
onto a barstool,.

"What can I get you?" She
leaned forward, working the cleavage angle.

"Bourbon," I replied.

"Sure thing," she spun around.
As she did I could smell vanilla and sugar.

Scanning the club, I looked around for
anyone in our group. My attention was caught by two words.

"Hey Loser!" I turned to see
Lilli throwing her bag under the bar.

"Hey," I grinned. A tingling
sensation traveled through my body as my eyes traveled over every curve and
exposed inch of flesh.

"Please don’t tell me that—"

"No. No blind dates. I’m here to
celebrate my cousin’s engagement." Celia walked my drink over and placed
it in front of me. "Thanks!"

"That’s cool, but I thought you
were the one looking…or something," Lilli raised a brow.

"It’s complicated," I forced a
smile. "I’m surprised Dixon hasn’t told you all about it like he has
everyone else."

She shook her head, causing a thick
strand of long dark hair to fall over her right shoulder.

"We really haven’t been home at the
same time lately," she smiled, but something in her face gave away to
sadness. I was about to speak again when she held up a finger and walked
towards some guys that just sat down to the bar.

Watching Lilli at the other end of the
bar, I felt a smack on my back.

"Hey Aid-man."

Turning around I was greeted by Dixon’s
large bright smile.  He slipped onto the stool next to me, his blue button down
tightening around his biceps. It looked like he would rip the shirt if he
flexed.  I was about to argue the nickname but saw his eyes were following
Celia. With his attention on her, I knew I’d never get it.

Finally, James and Oscar arrived.  Soon
Uncle Liam, along with two of James’s buddies, showed up as well.

"Liam, does Viola know where you
are?" I teased.

He cleared his throat.

"Well, yes, but I don’t think she
realized…" He drifted off, looking around at the half dressed waitresses,
shot girls, dancers and bartenders. In his traditional Armani gray suit, he seemed
out of place. With the loud music, flashing lights and the furrow of his brow,
he looked uncomfortable.

"Dixon," Lilli leaned up on
the bar, wrapping her arms around Dixon in a hug.

"Hey, Lilli," he returned the
hug.

"How come he gets a hug and I get
called a loser?" I shouted over to her teasingly.

She put an L on forehead with her
fingers and then pointed at me. I returned the large smile she gave me with one
of my own.

"Who is that?" Liam asked as
he sat on my left.

"Lilli," I took a sip of my
drink. "She’s Dixon’s roommate."

Then I introduced Dixon to Liam. Liam
was instantly amused by Dixon. I think it would be difficult for anyone to
really not like him.

With a loud shout, James got the evening
started.  Celia poured shots of Patron and we toasted his engagement.  We found
a table and spent the night drinking and joking around.  At the end of the
night, around midnight, we said our goodbyes and headed home. Aside for Dixon,
who waited on Lilli and Celia’s shift to end.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The weekend found me at Dixon’s on
Friday night, hanging out watching sports and drinking beer. It was around one
thirty when we heard the door. Without looking away from the TV, Dixon yelled
out, "Hey, Lilli."

"Hey honey!" Dixon spun around
at the sound of Celia’s voice. With a sly smile, tight fitting jeans and barely
there halter top, Celia wiggled the fingers of her right hand at him. Looking at
Dixon’s face, I knew it was time for me to go.

"Celia," Dixon smiled, but
confusion soon replaced it. "Where’s Lilli?"

"Oh, she is on her way up. She had
to fight off Tom in the entryway," Celia rolled her eyes sitting on the
arm of Dixon’s chair. "Not to mention that she’s already in a shit
mood."

"What happened? Bill giving her a
hard time again?" Irritation poured from every pore of his body.

"Of course he is. This time it was
because Lilli refused to serve a guy who was making lewd comments." She
shrugged. "You would think Bill would support us instead of taking it out
on us. Anyhow, if he has to talk with her again he says he’s going to fire
her." Celia slid onto Dixon’s lap. "It’s ridiculous." She
grumbled.

"Well, I think I should get—"

"Stupid fucking asshole! Stupid
pathetic…" Lilli stopped ranting when she saw us looking at her. "Sorry,"
She stated, forcing a smile before storming towards the kitchen. Her face
flushed with anger.

"Told you," Celia whispered to
Dixon.

"Want me to kick his ass, Lilli?"
Dixon turned his head toward the kitchen.

"I just don’t understand why he
doesn’t get the hint." She yelled before gulping down a beer she pulled
from the refrigerator. "Seriously, how many times would I have to tell you
no before you would get the hint I wasn’t interested?" She looked directly
at me.

"Ummm…" Straightening my back,
I searched my head for the right response.

"Don’t answer," Dixon whispered
harshly. Celia giggled.

"Oh, never mind!"

Dixon gave me thumbs up. Lilli fumed
down the hallway until her door slammed.

"Okay, well I think I should go."

"Dude, you don’t have to go. Stay
and hang longer. We can shove a movie in." He stood up, placing Celia in
the chair by herself, and walked over to some shelves of DVDs.

"No really, I have plans tomorrow
so I—"

Lilli entered the room wearing cotton
shorts, a tank top and those damn knee socks with the stripes. If someone were
to describe this outfit to me I would laugh but it was hot on her.

"Lilli, you’re scaring Aidan,"
Dixon chuckled.

"No she’s not," I protested.

"Are you scared Aid-man?"
Lilli grinned, sitting down just one cushion away from me on the couch.

I grimaced. "You know, I’m not a
fan of the nickname."

"So you prefer Aidan-O?" She looked
at Celia. "That’s Phoebe’s lover boy name for him.”

Without even thinking, I launched the
jacket I held in my lap at her. I inhaled quickly, ready to apologize but she
was cracking up. Laughter burst from my mouth.

About 3 beers and half a movie later, Celia
fell asleep on Dixon’s chest. I’m not sure when sleep found me but waking to
the smell of cherries and flowers was nice. Groggily, I opened my eyes and
started to stretch. A warm body shifted next to me. Still exhausted, I forced
myself to look at the source of the warmth. Lilli lay against my chest and
legs, both of us stretched out on the couch. Lying side by side sent a
comfortable ease I hadn’t experienced with a woman before. Savoring the comfort
and warmth, I cuddled in closer to her.

Next time I woke to the smells bacon and
syrup. Stretching, I found myself alone. Sitting up, I shoved off a blanket
that hadn’t been there before.

Did I dream it? Maybe Lilli hadn’t been cuddling
on the couch with me.

Noise in the kitchen drew my attention. Lilli
and Celia stood in the kitchen cooking and attempting to be quiet. They were
failing. As I headed toward them Celia turned around with a plate full of
bacon.

"Good morning," she smiled. Smiling,
I rubbed the back of my head. She was definitely in Dixon’s shirt, it was huge.

"Coffee?" She placed a cup in
front of me.

"Oh God, please, yes!" I
rubbed my eyes.

"Another caffeine addict in the
house I see," Celia smiled.

I smiled and picked up the full mug.

"Thanks," I took a sip.
"Dixon one too?"

Celia shook her head. "Nope,"
then she motioned to Lilli. "Miss I-hate-the-morning is a caffeine
addict."

Lilli turned around and made faces at
the back of Celia’s head. Celia turned quickly and Lilli plastered a smile on
her face.

"I know you’re up to something."
Celia pointed at her.

Lilli feigned innocence.

"You staying for breakfast?"
Lilli pointed at me with her black plastic spatula.

"No, you don’t have to—"

"That’s a yes," Celia
answered. Lilli put three pancakes on a plate and slid them in front of me.

I looked down at the pancakes for a
moment before I reached for the butter and syrup. While I was pouring syrup,
Dixon finally emerged.

"Yes, pancakes!" He looked
like a kid on Christmas morning as he sat down next to me. My eyes almost fell
out of my head when I saw the stack of pancakes Celia handed him.

When my eyes met hers, she shook her
head.

"I know what you’re thinking and
yes, he is a pig." She laughed.

"Hey Lilli makes the best blueberry
pancakes ever!" Dixon held his hand up. Lilli moved around Celia to give
him a high five.

I chuckled and took a bite. The moan
that left my lips rivaled Dixons.

"Holy shit." I closed my eyes.

Dixon leaned in and said into my ear. 
"Told you, best fucking pancakes ever," he patted my back.
"You’ll be begging her for them. They’re like heroin." He chuckled and
stabbed a large bite. Celia sat next to Dixon and ate. Lilli hopped up on the
counter top with a plate in her lap.

After Dixon and I both ate another plate
full, we finally pulled ourselves away from the counter. Lilli started picking
up the dishes but I swatted her away. She scowled at me.

"You cooked, I’ll clean up." I
collected the dishes from the messy counter tops.

"Did you hear that, Dixon?"
Lilli yelled as he stretched out in his chair.

As I walked to the sink, Lilli spun
around and the smell of cherries wafted around me. At first I thought it was
the pancakes but then came the flowery smell. It was her smell, her scent. I
hadn’t dreamt it.

Chapter Six
Dating For Dummies
Aidan

I left Dixon’s apartment before noon so I
could get home to do some work. I needed to be showered and changed in time for
Maggie’s birthday party.

I didn’t spend nearly as much time as I
used to spend with Maggie, having been around her since she was a born. She was
always more like a little sister than my cousin. Spoiling her had been a
favorite hobby of mine.

After going through some emails, I
slipped on a pair of dark gray slacks and a light blue button down shirt. I
gathered all of Maggie’s presents and remembered I had one last thing to get. I
hurried down to the car so I could make a stop on the way to Viola and Liam’s
house.

Pulling up to the curb in front of the
first bookstore that was along the way, I quickly got out and ran inside. After
I entered and looked around at the different shelves, I started to wander
around trying to figure out where I should look. Having no luck on my own, I
headed to the cashier’s counter and tapped the bell that was on the counter. I
wasn’t prepared to see a familiar face.

I smiled and she stopped short as she
walked out from a back room.

Raising an eyebrow at me, "Are you
following me again?" Lilli laughed.

"You work here too?" I raised my
brow. She nodded.

"What can I do for you?" She
walked up to the counter.

"I need to find a book," I
started.

"Really? In a bookstore? That’s
what you are looking for?" She winked. "Which one?"

 "Well, I’m not positive on the
name, but it has to do with Vampires, Werewolves, Faeries, Vampire hunters…you
know all of that stuff. Oh and it’s the second book that I am looking
for."

"Wow, I never took you for the young-adult
fiction reading type." Lilli giggled.

"It’s for my cousin, she’s turning
fifteen."
Jesus, who knew sarcasm could be so hot.

"Uh-huh, sure it is." With a
smile she pointed. "Young Adults section, Mortal Instruments series, City
of Ashes. They are in alphabetical order."

After finding the sequel, I saw the
third book sitting right beside and grabbed it too. Lilli was standing at the
counter looking over something and writing as I approached with the books.

"Find it?" She looked up.

I held the books up and got a thumb up
from her. Placing the books on the counter, she reached for them.

"So you have two jobs?" I
watched her long fingers caress the cover of one book, wondering what her touch
would feel like.

"Yep, weekend day job." She scanned
the books and punched some keys on the register.  Now her mouth had my
attention.

"So, how many jobs do you
have?" Her mouth was slightly wide with full lips.  With her high
cheekbones and almond shaped eyes, they made her look exotic.

She hesitated, but then answered.
"Three." Her response coming out uncomfortably quiet.

"Why? And how do you handle classes
with that kind of schedule?" The questions were genuine but I couldn’t
help sliding my gaze from her face down her long neck.  With her chocolate
brown hair pulled up, the slope of her neck was tantalizing.

She sighed.

"Did Dixon send you or
something?" She pursed her lips.

I shook my head, "Nope, just
curious."

"Well, truth is, I will be delaying
my classes for awhile, so I have plenty of time to work all three of them."
She huffed.

"Oh." I didn’t want to make
her more uncomfortable so I dropped the subject.

She told me how much the books were. Clearly
she saw the confusion on my face as I did the math in my head.

"Consider it a return favor for
giving me a ride home." She took my card and ran it through.

"You didn’t have to…whatever you
did with the books."

She slipped the books into a shiny white
plastic bag.

"I know, but hell I don’t really
get to use my discount too often, since I just read them while I’m working
instead of buying them." She looked mischievous. "Someone should get
to use it." Handing me the bag, she plastered on a giant fake smile
"Have a nice day and come again soon." Then we both broke into
laughs. "Later…Loser." With a small wave and a smile on her face, she
disappeared into the room behind the counter.

"Thanks," I shouted over my
shoulder.  The door chimed as I exited.

Pulling into Viola and Liam’s driveway a
half-hour before the party, I got the perfect parking space – one where I
wouldn’t be blocked in by other guests. Leaning into the back of my car I brought
the large gift bag of presents to the front seat.  Grabbing the bookstore bag
from the passenger seat, I pulled out the books one by one and placed them in
the bag with the other gifts.

When I grabbed the second book, I
realized there was a third book I didn’t purchase. It was bright yellow. Pulling
it out, laughter bubbled out of my chest. The big bold black text read
Dating
for Dummies
against the bright yellow. Smiling, I tossed it into the back
seat and headed into the house.

When I entered the house, it was like
someone puked purple and black all over the place; streamers, balloons, flowers,
cake and all the accessories in the same color theme.

"Aidan!" Maggie bounded down
the steps toward me. I almost didn’t get her gifts out of my arms in time to
catch her before she jumped into my arms.

"Happy Birthday!" Kissing the
top of her head, I squeezed her tight in my arms.

I put her down and looked her over. She
matched the party. Maggie was very unusual, for lack of a better word, in her
style. She had on a black tutu over purple and black stripped tights and
matched with a purple top. Her red hair was in crazy twists and knots around
her head. Then I saw her shoes – green. After my appraisal, I raised an
eyebrow.

She curtsied.

"You like?"

"Well it’s definitely…you." I
smiled large.
Damn, my little cousin was growing up so fast.

"I’ll take that as a yes." Grinning,
she stepped toward the dining room.

Picking her gifts up from the floor, I
followed her. A large table sat against the wall already overflowing with
gifts. I placed my bag among the mountain. Knowing Viola would be finishing up
the last of the preparations, I went to the kitchen.

Leaning in the kitchen doorway, I
watched her oversee the cooks and the waiters. Clearing my throat, she spun
around.

"Aidan," she smiled and walked
toward me with open arms. "I’m so happy you made it."

"Like I would miss Maggie’s
birthday." I rolled my eyes.

Family and friends started arriving
shortly after I got there. Distant relatives surrounded Maggie, but only a few
around her age. Next, business associates, mostly the board of directors. That
was when Gideon Hettich arrived with his daughter, Lorelei.

Lorelei, a very petite, pale skinned
girl with light brown, shoulder length hair, always looked socialite sexy. Definitely
pretty with amazing intelligence but there always seemed to be something behind
her eyes that gave me chills.

"Aidan," Gideon greeted me
then motioned to Lorelei. "You know my daughter Lorelei, of course."

"Yes, of course, always a pleasure
to see both of you." I lied.

Gideon, for years, has done his best to
gain control of AIS. My grandfather and he go way back. When I asked Grandfather
about Gideon once, he simply said ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies
closer’. It wasn’t until I became more involved with the directors board that I
truly understood what he meant.

After all the greetings and food, Maggie
began the task of opening presents. Shuddering at the memories of opening
birthday gifts, it could take you at least an hour to accomplish the goal. You
have to open, verbally thank and keep a gift list for thank you cards later.

"Aidan," Maggie yelled.

I excused myself from a conversation
with Gideon I was happy to get away from. Maggie was opening the gifts from me.

As I approached, I heard Viola telling
Maggie to act like a lady, to which Maggie rolled her eyes in response.

"Hey Magpie." I stood next to
her.

She smiled up to me and then started
with the gift bag. She pulled out the two books and stood up to squeeze me
tightly.

"How did you know?" She
giggled.

"I saw you reading the other day
when I got here, so I found the rest of them for you."

Taking her seat, she went through the
other gifts – gift certificates for her crazy clothing stores, MP3 download
certificates and the simple silver birthstone ring.

"Thank you so much!" She
beamed and stood on her tiptoes, kissing me on the cheek.

Once the party was over and the last
guest left, I took my leave from the house. Arriving home and getting out of the
car, I caught the bright yellow out of the corner of my eye. Reaching into the
back seat, I got the book Lilli snuck into my bag before going up to my
apartment.

After changing into a pair of pajama
bottoms and T-shirt, I collapsed onto the couch. Opening the book up, I shook
my head and laughed. She’d written an inscription.

'Here’s to bagging yourself a wife! Oh and to
not losing your dates to your friends!'

She’d also drawn a small smiley face
with its tongue sticking out, making sure to include an L on the forehead. Tossing
the book onto my coffee table, my laughter echoed throughout my empty
apartment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sunday afternoon with the guys is always
a highlight, but when you are sitting around listening to them bust your balls
about not being able to find a woman, it kind of kills the mood.

"So, what’s the plan now?"
James lounged back into the oversized chair in the TV room of my apartment.

"Well I do have a plan, but I have
yet to really put it into action," I sighed and then told them my plan to
make a deal with someone if necessary.

"Are you serious? You’re going to
go as far as to make your marriage a business deal?" Oscar shook his head.
James was chuckling.

I tried to change the subject.

"Where the hell is Dixon?" I
chugged my beer.

"He won’t be coming." Oscar
responded. "He went back to Maine with Lilli."

"Maine?" I pressed for more
information.

"Yeah, I guess her dad got sick and
he wanted to help her. From what Dixon said, it’s serious. He has a heart
problem. Dixon didn’t exactly give me the details." Oscar shrugged as he
grabbed the remote and changed to a different game.

I sat there thinking for a minute about
what Oscar said. Then other pieces started to click together from the fight I
overheard, things Dixon mentioned and small things Lilli actually said to me.
There was even the date with Phoebe when she asked Lilli about her dad. Lilli
was financially strapped because of her father. She was taking care of him. For
a brief moment, an idea appeared in my head.

"When is the food coming? I’m
starved!" James interrupted my mental planning.

"It gets here when it gets here.
Quit your whining!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Weeks passed before I heard from Dixon. I
got a voicemail one afternoon inviting me over after our baseball game on
Sunday morning. Come Sunday morning it was raining horribly, so clearly the
game was off, but Dixon still was having the guys come over to hang out and
watch some games.

Lilli answered the door, eyes rimmed red
and swollen. Her hair was loosely piled on her head. Wisps of chocolate brown
hang around her face.

"Hey, come in." Her smile
seemed forced. "Dixon went to the gym but he should be back any second. He
knew you guys would be arriving around this time." Following her path to a
barstool, she sat and slumped over a newspaper lying on the counter in front of
her.

"Thanks." I said, feeling a
little uneasy. "Um, how’s your dad?"

She looked over at me a little confused,
probably wondering how I knew about her dad.

"He’s okay," she almost turned
back around but hesitated. "Um…thanks for asking."

"Sure."

Before we could engage in further
conversation, the apartment door opened.

"Hey fucker!" Dixon walked
over, patting my back. "Give me ten minutes to shower." With a ruffle
of Lilli's hair, he headed down the hallway.

Stepping away from Lilli, I walked over
and sat on the couch. For a couple of minutes I sat in silence watching Lilli. With
one leg curled under her and the other crossed in front of her, she looked like
a contortionist.

"Lilli, do we have clean towels
anywhere?" Dixon yelled. I could hear the water running in the background.

Huffing, she slid from the barstool.
Walking down the hallway, she responded."They are in the dryer! I’ll get
them!" Just inside the hallway, she turned to me. "You can help
yourself to the fridge, tv and all that stuff." Then she disappeared.