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Speaking with Olivia, he was able to lose himself in her problems and forget about his own for a moment. That sliver of time with her was calming in a way he never would have predicted, based on their first interaction.
“How long will you be in town?” Milo asked, and Shane glanced from the window, meeting his eyes.
“Not sure. I guess it depends on if I like my family or not.”
“I’ve lived in Morgan’s Bay my entire life, and I’d be lying if I told you the McConnell’s didn’t have a reputation around here.”
“How so?” The closer Shane got to the house, the more his curiosity piqued.
“Considering they own much of the town they aren’t exactly neighborly. Okay… that’s not entirely true. Some members of the family are very active here in the community. Not sure where you fall on the family tree, but the mayor is a good guy. He started out running the local pub until he ran for office and passed the torch to his son. And Connor is cool is hell. We go way back. Those two I’d share a drink with.”
“What about my grandfather?”
Milo went silent for a second, his head tilted, and he sucked in a breath through his teeth. “The not exactly neighborly comment could probably lay solely on his shoulders. The McConnell’s have owned much of the area since the founding of the town, but your grandfather expanded into real estate, scooping up more properties, constantly trying to bring luxury apartments to the beach front. Luckily, the mayor sides with the townspeople and has been successful at shutting him down.”
“Isn’t the mayor his son?”
Milo smirked. “Seems to be a long, complicated history.”
“Great.” What was Shane stepping into?
“But,” Milo said, “it’s all speculation. No one knows what actually happens behind the doors of Bayview. It’s easy to create drama looking in from the outside.”
“You said you and Connor go way back. You’ve never been inside the house?”
Milo laughed. “The only people allowed in that house are the type who consider paying four hundred dollars for a steak reasonably priced. That would be a massive chunk of my weekly salary, and I have bills to pay. I’ve been to Connor’s place plenty of times, though. He used to have the best birthday parties back in elementary school.”
The only birthday parties Shane remembered were in the children’s hospital. He’d spent so much time there everything before seemed like a distant dream.
“You really have known him for a long time then.” It amazed Shane this total stranger who had no relation to his cousin knew Connor better than Shane did.
Milo nodded. “Most people in this town have known each other for a long time. The curse of small-town life. Most people want to escape, and others never want to leave.”
“Where do you fall on that line?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll be here for the rest of my life just like my dad and just like my grandfather.” There was defeat in his tone, as if he’d tried and failed, or maybe he’d given up. Either way, Shane felt for the guy. He knew what it was like to feel stuck. It was why he easily accepted the invitation to visit Morgan’s Bay. After losing a great deal of his childhood and the one constant in his life, he was ready to be free. He decided saying yes was the only way to break the shackles holding him in the misery of his past.
Milo brought the car to a stop in front of a wrought iron fence that extended the length of a massive waterfront property. It was hard to see the house from the end of the long driveway, but Shane imagined it was like nothing he’d ever have the privilege to step into before.
“Here it is… Bayview Estate. It has the best views of the bay from every angle of the house. At least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Thanks. How much do I owe you?” Shane reached into his back pocket for his wallet.
“The ride was charged to Olivia’s account.”
Shane went to argue, and Milo held his hand up.
“Don’t worry about it. Her boyfriend is loaded. He pays her way for the most part.”
“According to her, they broke up.”
Milo’s eyes widened. “That explains why she’s home. Huh. You would think Harper would’ve mentioned it to me.”
“It sounds very recent. Like last few hours recent.”
“Then man am I happy you met her, or I would have had to listen to the whole story.”
Shane laughed.
