Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“No, but I want to be. We want to be.” She buries her face in her hands. “David and I have talked about it. We both want a family, and I just can’t see it with me working at the bar.”

“That’s why,” I say with a smile, and she turns to face me, a questioning look on her face. “Why you’re finally taking on more of a management roll, like Mike’s been trying to get you to do for years.”

“You know about that?”

“Yeah, we talk.” I study her. “What’s the real reason you’ve been hesitant to take on more at the bar?”

“Mike, mostly. When he took over, he was so focused on the bar, on keeping the reputation but modernizing things a bit. He devoted himself to the renovations. He lived for the bar. At first I was afraid to step on his toes. He’s always been passionate about it being our legacy and keeping it strong. He wouldn’t date, wouldn’t even entertain the idea, he was so focused.”

The three of us nod and she continues.

“I didn’t want to take that away from him. I was afraid that if I stepped in and changed my role, he would feel like he was losing part of what he’s worked so hard for.”

“You’re wrong. He loves you, Olivia. He’s told me several times how he wishes it was the two of you together. He did it all so you wouldn’t have to. He thought that if he could take that stress away from you, that you would want to be more involved.”

She wipes a tear from her eyes and gives me a watery smile. “Anyway, when he met you that weekend all those months ago, I saw him slowly change. He would ask about you, trying to be nonchalant and not succeeding.”

Whit laughs. “He did the same thing to me.”

“After you came back—what was it, like six months later—and you stayed with him, that’s when he really started to change. He pushed me to take on more, and that’s when I knew he was ready. He’s found someone who means more to him than the bar.”

I gasp and Olivia smiles. “It’s true, Jamie. He’s changed so much, for the better. He was working himself to death, not enjoying life. Now he leaves before closing and is happy to let me take a night. He doesn’t call to check on me or the staff. It’s like a lightbulb has finally turned on and he realizes that we have great staff who are well-trained.”

“I worry I’m a distraction for him,” I confess. That causes all three of them to laugh.

“You are exactly what he needs,” Kinley assures me, then looks at Olivia. “So back to you. Is he any closer to wearing you down?”

“Yeah, I think he is,” she says, tipping back her drink. “What about you? How are things with you and Evan?”

“Perfect.” McKinley smiles. “We’re talking about another baby.”

“What?” Whit screeches. “That’s awesome. Wait… can you wait on me?”

“Are you trying soon?” I ask Whit. I’ve missed her and missed girl time.

“We are. I mean, I don’t want to wait and neither does he. You’ve seen him with Lex and Walker. My ovaries are in overdrive every time I see him with them.”

We all nod. Aaron Mills is a sucker for his niece and nephew. He’s going to be an amazing father.

“And you.” Whit raises her glass and points at me. “Time to spill. He hasn’t let you out of his sight since you got here.”

I can feel my face heat. “What do you want to know?” I pretend the blush isn’t coating my cheeks.

“Everything,” they all three say at once.

“I’m in deep,” I confess.

“So is he,” Olivia assures me.

“Is this weird? I mean, I know he’s your brother. I don’t want to—”

She raises her hand, cutting me off. “I’ve been pushing to get the two of you together since the night he met you. Like I said, I saw subtle changes. I would mention you just to see his eyes light up with interest. I knew then that he wanted you. This though.” She waves her hand around his house. “He doesn’t bring girls here. Hell, he hasn’t taken the time to date in over two years.”

“I kind of just showed up,” I remind her.

“This weekend, but not all the times before. He brought you here.”

“So what gives?” McKinley asks.