Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

She walks toward me, leans down and kisses my cheek. “Happy birthday, Mike.”

“Thanks.” I grin up at her.

“Catch you later?” Evan says, holding out his fist. I bump with him and then they’re gone.

“Why don’t we get started on closing this place down, let the birthday boy take the night off,” David tells my sister.

Olivia raises her eyebrows at me. “Thank you,” I answer her silent question. That seems to be all the reassurance she needs as she blows me a kiss, mouths “happy birthday” and then heads back toward the office.

Then there were four. I watch as Aaron leans over and whispers in Whitney’s ear. She looks up at him and smiles.

“You’ll make sure she makes it home tonight?” Whit asks me.

“You staying with me?” I ask Jamie. Even though I want to tell her that she has to, I would never take that choice from her.

“Yes.” Her answer is immediate and without hesitation. “I’m going to stay with Mike tonight,” she tells Whit.

Whitney nods and bends down to hug us both. “You two have fun and be safe. Mike, happy birthday. Take care of her.”

“Thank you, and you know I will.”

We wave goodbye and finally it’s just us. For the first time ever, I leave the bar without another thought. I don’t worry about locking up or making sure those who need to be are efficiently cut off and rides called. I know my staff and my sister have it under control.

I just want to spend some time with her.

“I can’t believe you’re really here,” I say once we’re in my truck and headed to my house. Reaching over, I lace my fingers through hers.

“I guess we hadn’t made it to the birthday conversation,” she teases. “Luckily Whitney was looking out for me.”

“When is yours?”

“July first.”

“That’s not too far away.”

“A couple of months. Are birthdays usually a big deal in your family?”

“Not really. When we were kids and lived at home, Mom would always bake a

cake. Well, I mean she still does,” I laugh. “Actually, they’re having dinner there on Sunday. I’m going to call Mom and have her move it to lunch. I’d like for you to be there.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. I want you to meet my parents.”

“Are we there? Meeting the parents and all that? I mean, no pressure, I just don’t really know what this is.”

I trace her knuckles with my thumb. “Honestly, Jamie, I don’t know either. I do know that my day is better when I talk to you, even if it’s just over text.” I pull into the drive and shut the truck off. “I know that when I found out you were here tonight, this became the best damn birthday I’ve had since I was a kid.” Leaning in, I cup her cheek. “I know that you live hours away from me and that if you were mine, truly mine, I couldn’t deal with that. Not being able to hold you and kiss you.” I lean in and press a soft kiss to her lips. “I couldn’t deal with that.”

“So we’re what, friends with benefits?” she asks.

I cringe at the thought. “I don’t want that either. If I’m ever lucky enough to be inside of you, that’s a game changer. Friends with benefits would never be enough for me.”

She closes her eyes as I trace her bottom lip. “What are we doing here, tonight, at your place?” She opens her eyes. “What are we doing?”

“Spending time together. I want to hold you and kiss you, and if I’m lucky, fall asleep with you in my arms.”

“But we’re not together?” she asks, her teeth chattering.