Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

“We’re here too. You go to her and let us know what you decide to do. We’re behind you no matter what. Always,” Mom says.

“I need to go.” I stand and head toward my truck.

“Michael,” Mom calls out. I stop turning to face them. “Be careful.”

I nod and race to my truck, not bothering to waste time going home. I can buy clothes when I get there. I’m going to have to come back here and settle things, if that’s what we decide to do. I just… I need to get to her. I need her to fill this giant hole in my chest. The one that’s been there since she drove away from me a week ago.

Traffic is surprisingly light for a Saturday. I’m about halfway there and need to stop for gas. I decide to text her.

Me: Thinking about you.

She replies immediately.

Jamie: I miss you, Michael.

Me: You decide when I can come and see you?

Jamie: I’ll look at some dates and get back with you.

Me: I love you.

Jamie: Love you too.

I place my phone back in the cup holder and put the truck in Drive. I’ll be there in a few hours. I can’t wait for the look on her face when she sees me at her door.

Finally, I pull into her lot, park next to her car and grin. Grabbing the flowers I stopped for at the local market, I run into the building, run to her.

I reach her door and my heart is racing like it’s ready to beat out of my chest. I don’t know if it’s because of the run up here or the fact that I’m laying eyes on her for the first time in a week. Maybe it’s because, if she’ll have me, I know I’ll never have to leave her again. Taking a deep calming breath, I knock on the door.

“Coming,” she calls out. When she pulls open the door, she gasps and covers her mouth. Tears immediately start to fall. “Mike,” she breathes. “What are you—”

I cut her off by handing her the flowers. “I miss you, Jamie.”

She nods and holds the flowers against her chest. “Come in.” She steps back, allowing me space to enter her apartment.

Boxes. I see boxes everywhere. “Are you moving?” I ask her.

She nods, tears still streaming down her face. “I didn’t know.” I walk to the window and look outside. How did I miss that? Are we farther apart than I thought? Can things change that much in a week?

“Where are you going?”

“What are you doing here?” she asks at the same time.

“You first,” I say.

“I’m not happy here anymore.” She shrugs.

“I came for you.”

“Me?”

Turning, I face her. “You. I can’t breathe without you, Jamie. There are plenty of bars here in Chicago, and with my background I can get a job at any of them. If you’re not happy here, we’ll get another apartment or buy a house just outside the city, whatever you want.”

“You came here for me? What about your family, Mike’s Tavern? You can’t give all that up.”

“I can and I will. I don’t need all that, but I do need you.” Hands on her hips, I pull her into my chest and bury my face in her neck. “I need you,” I repeat softly.

I don’t hold her nearly long enough before she’s pulling away and leading us to her couch. She takes a seat and I sit next to her, facing one another. Reaching out, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ears. “I missed you.”