Southern Attraction (Southern Heart 3)

Once in my room, I go through my nightly routine and climb into bed. I toss and turn, trying to get comfortable, when my phone vibrates from its place on the nightstand.

Unknown: Night, beautiful James.

Mike.

Me: Good night, Michael.

I use his full given name, which he also confessed the night we hung out at the lake.

A slow grin spreads across my face as I think about that night. The attraction that sparked between us. I was sure I had imagined it. You know the whole “you can’t to

uch so you want to” kind of thing. But tonight, it was there once more, igniting between us, even stronger than I remember.

Then again, maybe not. This time I don’t have a boyfriend. This time I could touch him and him me, we’re both single. This time I was on the receiving end of what these sweet southern boys have to offer.

Slowly I drift off to sleep, excited to see what tomorrow night brings.

After I laid awake for hours, I finally fell asleep, dreaming of what it felt like to hold her. To just be with her. I’ve fought hard since that first night, tried to tell myself that the connection was all in my head. I work all the time, and that night was my first night out in… well, too damn long. The weekend over, I said goodbye to this new girl with the golden blonde hair and sparkling green eyes and thrust myself back into work. Back into the bar, my legacy.

I’m awake too damn early, and of course my first thought is Jamie. Suddenly, I’m no longer tired. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t even get five hours of sleep. What matters is that she promised to call me tonight. What matters is that I get to see her again.

Our attraction is undeniable, and it’s never been that way for me with any other woman. It’s been a long damn time, longer than I care to admit, since I’ve been with a woman. This has to be my body’s way of telling me that I’m depriving it. Then again, there are beautiful women who frequent the bar on the daily and none of them, not a single one, can turn my head like she can.

Reaching for my phone, I pull up our text from last night and, without thinking too much about it, send off another.

Me: Good morning, beautiful.

I get a reply almost immediately.

Jamie: Morning.

Me: Have fun today. Can’t wait to see you later.

I see the little bubble that tells me she’s replying. I watch as it disappears and reappears several times before my phone finally alerts me to a new message.

Jamie: I leave tomorrow.

We’ve already discussed this. Not sure why she’s telling me again.

Me: I know. I still want to see you.

Jamie: I’ll text you when we get back.

Me: I’ll be waiting.

Tossing my phone on the bed, I head for the shower. Time to get this day started so the night will come even faster. I need to get done what has to be done at the bar so when she calls I’m ready.

I’ve counted inventory yet again; it didn’t need it, but I need to stay busy. I rearranged the stock room, paid bills and now I’m behind the bar. Not unusual for me on a Saturday night, but tonight is different in the fact that I don’t want to be here. I want to be with her. It’s already six o’clock and still nothing.

“You’ve checked your phone a hundred times since I got here,” David laughs from where he sits at the bar across from me.

I don’t reply, just keep wiping down the bar.

“They’re on their way back,” he tells me.

Looking up, I see the smirk on his face. Fucker.

“What are you and my sister getting into tonight?” I ask, trying to move the attention from me.