Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

“The fact that you refer to her as an old girlfriend tells me you haven’t been listening.”

“I’ve heard every word, and my heart breaks for the two of you, but both of you have moved on. Her strolling back in town, looking like a supermodel, and setting up shop with her successful business isn’t going to erase your history.”

“Have you been talking to her?”

“No.”

“Funny because you sound exactly like her. She thinks I’m insane and the past can’t be forgotten. Her word was doomed.”

“Well, Darby was always smarter than you.”

“I didn’t move on, not in the way I should have. The situation with Connie forced my hand to accept my life was going in a different direction than I planned, but I never moved on. I had my work, my children, my family, and a few friends. You and I had our weekends to goof off, get laid, and blow off steam. But that’s all. I lived my life going through the motions. You were right; when I saw her again that morning in her bakery, it was like slicing open an old wound. Except it wasn’t only my wound. It was hearing what Connie did all those years ago to Darby. As much as I hurt, nothing could have prepared me for the agony of what she went through when Connie sent those baby announcements. Then the truth came out, and I was done.”

“What does that mean?”

“Edward Graham paid me a visit, and he knew, Miller. He knew where I stood even before I did.” I glare at my brother to bring the point home. “He said there was only one Annie for him, only one Jill for Dad, and one Darby for me. I wanted to argue he was crazy, but I couldn’t. Because it’s the truth. Three weeks after I discovered she’s back, and I’m wrapped so fucking tight around her, I can’t see straight.”

“Shit, you’re really going to try and make this work?”

“I’m going to make this work. There’s no other option. It’s how I do it is the tricky part.”

“Didn’t you say she’s not convinced there’s a future?”

“She’s definitely made it hard on me. I’m facing a few challenges.”

“The kids?” He quirks an eyebrow in question.

“I have two kids that are innocent in all this, and it’s my job to protect them and Darby while finding a way to bring everyone into the fold.”

“Maya and Cole are easy going. They’ve adjusted to their life with separated parents.”

“Yeah.” I nod, pouring another shot.

“Is there something else?”

“Darby is moving to Aspen at the end of the summer.” I take the shot, the words and the whiskey both scorching my throat.

“What the fuck?” he bites out.

“Like I said, she’s making this hard on me. It’s the reason we’re going to Aspen tomorrow. DG Creations has been acquired by Brasher Resorts. There’s a lot more there, but I don’t have enough time to get into the details tonight. I think the picture will be clear when Brasher makes their announcement.”

He stares at me in disbelief, his jaw working back and forth as this information settles. Then, a light sparks in his eyes as it dawns on him. “Son of a bitch, you’re buying the building her bakery is in, aren’t you?”

“Not just me. Evin is invested. He’s working the deal on the banking and negotiation end. If Brasher does set up a location in Charleston, that would possibly allow for her to come back. Evin’s very involved in this.”

“Dad knows?”

“Yep.”

“And y’all didn’t think to mention it to me?”

“I pulled from my equity. If it goes bust, I take the hit. Not the two of you.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s done.”

“Evin is helping you with this? When did you two start speaking again?”

“When I told him I love his sister and will do anything to get her back to Charleston. Like I mentioned, Stephanie, Evin, and I are working on an angle. Those two had already started talking before I was in the mix.”

“I can’t believe you and Evin Graham are going to be business partners.”

“It’s more than that. He knows that one day we’re going to be family. You probably need to get used to that idea.”

He blows out a breath, jerking his head a few times. “This is unbelievable.”

“Miller, I’m not the only one that didn’t move on. Darby may have a successful business, good friends, and her family, but that is it. From what I’ve been told, the only man in her life that’s been around is Stephanie’s assistant, who’s openly gay and in a committed relationship. She never had another boyfriend or another lover.”

“No shit? Twelve years?”

“No shit. She’s always been mine.”

“Damn.” He takes another swig out of his bottle, looking ahead and squinting his eyes like he does when deep in thought. I watch as the realization sets in his mind as his body relaxes. “You got room for another member of your crew?”