Page 37 of Aidan (The Doherty Mafia)
“Are you busy?” I asked.
Leah shrugged. “I just called the hospital and they said Mom is asleep, so I guess, no.”
“I need help,” I replied.
Her eyes grew wider and she smiled—like she was pleased to hear it.
She didn’t even ask for an explanation. Instead, she hurried to get ready. We were out of the door in under ten minutes.
On my bike, she clung to me as I rode us back to Killian’s cabin.
Reese was still freaking out, but had somehow managed to dress herself. She didn’t know what kind of help I was bringing. I didn’t know why I was doing this. I wasn’t thinking.
Finally, Leah turned me for an explanation and I tried to fill her in as best as possible.
“And now the party is in less than six hours and everything’s a mess.” Reese added, looking exhausted. She sank down into one of the chairs, shaking her head.
Leah passed me one glance, turning to Reese with a smile.
“We have six hours? That’s plenty of time. Why don’t we start by calling a few caterers first? I’m sure, for an extra fee someone will be more than willing to cater an event like this.” She turned to me with a smile and I nodded.
The extra fee wasn’t a problem. I would do anything to make sure my brother got what he wanted for his engagement party.
Reese looked a little relieved. The color returned to her cheeks.
Leah looked around the messy kitchen, but instead of panicking, she was calm.
“The cake looks totally salvageable. We don’t have to make it as lavish as a wedding cake. Something simple and graceful will do the job. It won’t take longer than two hours to turn the cake around.”
Reese clutched her chest with both hands, like she’d somehow suddenly found a heartbeat.
She stared up at Leah like she had all of life’s answers.
“And the decorations…” Reese murmured.
Leah smiled, pulling her phone out.
“There are thousands of mood boards for decor ideas we can use. Something tasteful, but simple to execute. I’m sure Aidan can arrange all the things we need. Once we’re done with the cake, we’ll head to the venue and set it up. Two hours…and that still leaves us with enough wiggle room for last minute things.”
She looked at me and then at Reese.
Maybe it wasn’t such a big deal, but to Reese and I, it felt like she had just saved the day. Simply by using her organizational skills.
Reese stood up and threw her arms around Leah, giving her a tight happy hug.
“I don’t know how to thank you!” she exclaimed.
Just as Leah had promised—things did come together pretty neatly, and as it turned out, we had nothing to worry about.
But Reese knew just as well as I did that none of this would have worked out so smoothly if it wasn’t for Leah.
Five hours later, we were at the venue and Leah helped Reese bring in the cake they’d baked together. Some of our guys had been called in to help with the balloons and decorations.
Leah had managed to execute a simple, but classy look for the event, and Reese was beaming. She couldn’t stop complimenting Leah on her good taste and eye for detail.
The cake was small and nothing fancy, but it looked delicious.
Killian had texted to say he was on his way to the venue. The rest of my family would have been arriving soon too.
I looked over at Leah and saw her engrossed in a deep conversation with Reese. They seemed to be discussing the band.
Leah called an old friend from high school whom she knew used to be in a band. She took a chance, and it turned out that the band still existed. Tonight’s party was exactly the kind of thing they were good at. Leah reassured Reese that everything would be okay.
I walked up to them with my hands shoved in the pockets of my jeans.
“Maybe we should get ready,” Reese said with a smile. “You’re staying right? You have to stay!”
Leah glanced at me. She blushed. How could I say no? After everything she had done to save the day, it would be cruel to send her away now. The least she deserved was a slice of her own cake!
“You should stay,” I said.
Leah was surprised. She didn’t expect that from me.
What kind of a man did she think I was? For fuck’s sake!
“I don’t think I have anything to wear,” she replied, clasping her hands together.
“Why don’t you come to the cabin with me to get ready? We can stop at a store on the way and hopefully make it back in time by the time people start arriving. And who cares if we’re ten minutes late.” Reese grinned excitedly and she grabbed Leah’s hand. Without waiting for a response, she led her away.
