Southern Charmer (Charleston Heat 1)

“Happy tears,” she explains. “You make me so happy, Eli.”

“I love you,” I say, thumbing away a tear. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

Olivia smiles up at me. My pulse hiccups. Even now, almost a year since we first met, I still get butterflies when she walks into a room. This girl cracked my world wide open. I think I’ll always be in awe that I was lucky enough to find her.

That we were lucky enough to find each other.

“You didn’t have to do all this,” she says, glancing around the room. “It’s spectacular.”

“I wanted to do it,” I reply. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I kinda like to cook, and I really like your friends, so…yeah. Figured I’d combine the two and throw a little party.”

Olivia arches a brow. “Little? Eli, there’s, like, thirty people here.”

“Thirty-six to be exact.” I shrug when her eyes go wide. “Don’t blame it on me. You’re the one who’s the social butterfly.”

Her eyes search mine. “Thank you. I mean that.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” I say. “I invited your parents.”

Olivia’s eyes stay wide. “You did what?”

“They’re over at the bar.” I grab her hand. “Let’s go say hello.”

She’s talked a lot about how her parents are slowly coming around to the fact that she’s moved halfway across the country to write romance. She’s also talked about wanting to invite them down so she can show them around the city she’s fallen in love with. She’s even floated a few dates with them. I would have never invited them if I knew she wasn’t ready for them to visit. I figured what better time to come than Olivia’s birthday? I know she misses them.

Case in point: she starts crying all over again when her mother wraps her in a hug and keeps her there.

“I don’t know what they put in these drinks,” Mrs. Wilson is saying. “But I love it. Love it, Olivia. I’ve had three already. I love you. And I love this city! And whatever is in this cocktail—I love that too. But I love you the most.”

I cut a glance to Mr. Wilson. He shrugs in agreement, then raises his hand to order another cocktail.

There’s a tug on my sleeve. I turn to see Gracie at my elbow, cocktail in hand, a smile on her lips. My sister has always been a pretty girl, but tonight she is nothing short of radiant. She’s also dressed up to the nines. Nothing unusual for Gracie. But combined with the smile and the glow, it makes me take note.

Which makes me think someone else is taking note. Someone in this room.

“You look beautiful,” I say, giving her a hug.

She’s breathless when she replies. “Thanks.”

I see something sticking out of the collar of her dress. When I look a little closer, I blink in surprise.

“Gracie,” I say, nodding at her neck. “Is that a hickey?”

Her hand claps down on the offending spot. “Maybe it is. So what?”

I put my hands up in mock surrender. “It’s no big deal. I’ve just never seen Nicholas…er, do something like that.”

Grace takes a sip of her drink and looks away. Just like Luke did when I asked him about his love life.

Huh.

“It wasn’t Nicholas.”

“What?” I blink. “Then who did give it to you?”

“Give her what?”

I start at Luke’s sudden appearance. He’s standing across from Gracie, beer in hand, the other tucked into the front pocket of his dark wash jeans.

“None of your damn business,” I say.

“Hey, Luke,” Gracie says. There’s almost something a little…shy about her greeting.

Shy, and knowing.

Luke’s eyes darken when they fall on her face. “Hey, Gracie. You look gorgeous, as always.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome,” she says, then steps forward to embrace him.

I watch the whole thing happen, frozen to the spot: Gracie going up on her toes. Luke’s arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her against him. Guiding her body into his like he’s done it before. For half a second his nose grazes her neck, right where her hickey is, and he inhales, closing his eyes.

Gracie holds on to him for a beat too long. When she pulls back, she’s got those stars in her eyes again. Luke looks like he wants to tear her clothes off. His face is soft and hard all at once when her hand trails down his side to rest on his hip.

Oh no.

No no no no.

I know this look. The one Gracie and Luke are currently exchanging.

I know it, because it’s the kind of look I’ve only ever given to one girl. My forever girl. Olivia.

The girl I’m hopelessly, helplessly in love with.

Gracie and Luke are in love.

Or at the very least, they’re in lust.

What the fuck? I thought Gracie was happily dating Nicholas. And Luke is dating—well, everyone. I told him to stay away from her.

But before I can figure out what the hell is going on, Kip taps me on the shoulder and tells me it’s time to make a toast. Waiters are handing out flutes of champagne to the guests. I grab one and make my way to stand in front of the kitchen. People crowd around me. Olivia ducks through the throng, her parents right behind her. They stand not far from me.