Page 9 of The Mood Board

Chapter 5

Bailey

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“HEY, BAILEY.”

I looked up from my phone to see Jordan, Liam’s CFO, waving at me.

“Hi, Jordan.” I stopped at the coffee station, where she was grabbing what was probably her third double shot of espresso for the day. Liam swore she ran on coffee and lack of sleep in her standard tailored black suit, buzzing here and there, putting out the fires he and Tom usually began with the words “I wonder if we could—”

It happened so often it had become a joke between the three of them and Gloria, Liam’s assistant. And, gratefully, they had brought me in on it, too.

The entire team had made me feel like one of their own. For someone who had been mostly alone for years until Liam had come into my life via Tom, it was a revelation, and I was grateful for it.

“How’s the house going?” The espresso machine sputtered the last of the shot into Jordan’s cup. She didn’t even let it cool before sipping at it, turning around to face me.

“It’s going. There are just a few rooms left, and it will be ready for guests in two to three weeks. I think Bianca already has a family lined up,” I replied, slipping my phone into my purse.

For someone who ran on coffee and lack of sleep, putting out as many fires as she did and consuming as much caffeine as she did, Jordan was a surprisingly composed person. I knew there must be a mountain of work at her desk, but she was chatting with me, leaning one hip against the counter.

“That’s good to hear. Liam told me the realtor called him with another possible house,” she told me.

I laughed. “That must have been sometime after I left this morning. He’s collecting houses like some people collect baseball cards.”

“You know Liam.” Jordan rolled her eyes, the gesture one of affectionate irritation. “He has too much energy to pace himself.”

“Yeah, except Bianca and I have to keep up with him.” It wasn’t just his legs I had trouble keeping up with—it was his energy, too.

As much as Jordan loved to chat with me, she was usually rushing off to take care of something by this time in a conversation. But she was still leaning against the counter, sipping at her espresso.

“You seem relaxed today,” I said.

Jordan shrugged. “Do I? I guess it’s our new CIO. She’s implemented a few strategies since Liam hired her that have taken things off my plate, which I appreciate. But I really appreciate her seeming ability to rein Liam and Tom in. You know what a feat that is.”

“The new CIO?” I asked faintly.

Yet another person talking about the new hire at Liam’s company.

I wouldn’t have minded, except she seemed to be all Liam could talk about lately, trumping even our wedding at points. I was so happy he had found someone to help them take the business in the right direction, but she seemed too good to be true.

Or maybe, it had begun to bother me that she seemed to be all Liam could talk about lately. She and her plethora of perfect ideas.

I grimaced at the jealous tone my thoughts had taken, and Jordan cocked her head.

“You okay?”

“Fine.” I waved away her concern. “Just tired. Lots going on at work—”

“Lots going on for the Foundation. Lots going on for the wedding?” Jordan’s smile was sympathetic.

“Yep.” I nodded, hoping Jordan didn’t suspect that was only half the problem.

Then again, maybe it was the whole problem. I was working non-stop between the Foundation, my business, and the wedding. I wasn’t getting enough sleep or exercise, and I certainly wasn’t getting enough rest. Even Liam, who sometimes seemed to take the idea of a lazy day on the couch as a personal affront, had mentioned that I was stretching myself too thin.

And again, of course, the doubt began creeping in. Had Liam pointed it out because he was concerned, as he said, or was he, too, going to grow tired of me because I worked too much and didn’t give him enough attention?

Except Liam worked just as much as I did, so our lack of time together wasn’t entirely my fault.