Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“I like this plan. No sense in driving when you’re tired, and it’ll be daylight,” he agrees.

“I thought you might. Love you. Tell Mom I love her too. I’ll check in when I get there.”

“Will do, sweetheart. Love you too.”

It’s still early, just a little after eight, so I grab my Kindle and curl up with my latest book boyfriend. I’m almost finished with Fly by Molly McLain; a little Colton Wade is the perfect way to end my night.

It’s ten o’clock Friday morning and I’m already at the bar. I feel like I live here, but that’s part of owning a business. Dad did the same before me. Mike’s Tavern is my history, my family’s legacy. It’s not a hardship to be here, and I don’t dread going to work every day. I actually look forward to it, to see my hard work, and my father’s before me, come to life. Mike’s Tavern is a successful business, and I’m proud of that.

“Thought I might find you here,” my sister Olivia says.

I turn from my spot behind the bar where I’m counting inventory. “What are you doing here this early?”

“Well, my dear brother, there has been a slight change in plans. I was hoping if I came in early and helped you get this”—she points to the clipboard I’m holding—“done, we could make it an early night.”

“What plans have changed?” I have no idea what she’s talking about.

“Jamie’s coming in today instead of tomorrow.” She pauses and gives me time to process what she just said.

For weeks after that weekend we all spent at the lake, my sister hounded me about Jamie. No matter how persistent she was, I never gave her what she was fishing for. Not that there’s much to tell anyway. Everyone else was paired up and called it a night, so Jamie and I took a walk and went swimming. She’s fun to hang around. I’ll admit that I have thought about her: those long tan legs, her blonde hair that looks like silk. Silk I’ve dreamed about burying my hands in. Eventually Olivia stopped asking, but that didn’t keep me from thinking about her from time to time.

“Jamie?” I ask in confusion.

She smirks. “Did I forget to tell you? Jamie’s coming into town. We’re going dress shopping for the wedding.”

“So you want to take off early? I have extra staff tonight, so that’s not a problem.” I always have extra staff on the nights she works. This is the family business, and I’ve told her time and time again she should take on more of a manager role, but she refuses. She likes being behind the bar and taking her turn on the floor. My little sister, the social butterfly. I like to have the extra staff to cover the both of us. I’m here just because this is me, this is who I am. One of these days, I would love to see Olivia not be behind the bar, but in the office running things with me.

“Yes, but you are too.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. The whole gang is going to get together tonight. It’s been months since Jamie was here.”

Trust me, I know. “So what’s the plan?”

“It’s too damn cold to go to the pond, so Whitney and Aaron invited us all to their place.”

Just as I’m about to tell her that I didn’t receive said invitation, my phone rings. Looking at the screen, I see Aaron’s name flashing. “Hey, man,” I say in greeting.

“I know it’s last minute, but plans changed yesterday. Jamie was supposed to be here tomorrow so she and the girls could go dress shopping. As of yesterday, we found out that she’s coming a day early. We want to get the gang together at our place tonight.”

“What time?”

“Around eight? Whit wants some time with her before everyone gets here. What do you say, my man? Can you leave the Tavern to the staff for one night?”

“I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for the invite.”

“Anytime. Whit called Olivia, so she and David will be here as well. Other than that, just Evan and McKinley.”

“I have a few things to get done to wrap up the week and prepare for the weekend crowd. I’ll see what I can do.” It’s a lie. Well not completely. I do have to wrap up the week and prepare for the weekend crowd, but that’s the thing about me—I’m always prepared. I always have enough stock, enough staff. The Tavern is a well-oiled machine. This is just where I feel at home. This place is my life; everything else has been on the back burner since the day I took over.

“Sounds good, man. Make sure you try like hell. You know I don’t like to disappoint Whit.”

I laugh. “Yeah, I think the entire town knows.”

“Good,” he chuckles. “That means I’m doing my job. I’ll see you tonight.” He doesn’t wait for me to reply before he hangs up.

“Aaron?” Olivia asks once I end the call.