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“It wasn’t a bad thing. I was expecting rich snobs, but I was met with the total opposite. Mimi was warm and accepting. My uncle was kind and willing to help me out, no questions asked. I was afraid I’d be met with opposition, but they welcomed with me with open arms. And so did Connor. It’s crazy. The only family I’ve ever known is my mom, and now I have this whole new family that, up until a few weeks ago, I had no idea existed.”
He didn’t smile, but he didn’t have to, she could hear the relief in his tone. “I’m happy it worked out. Everybody deserves the love of family.”
“Thanks.” He nodded toward the empty glass. “Another margarita for your friend.”
“How do you know it’s not for me?”
“You’re drinking Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Intrigued, she smiled. “You pay attention to detail.” It was something Daniel never did. As if it would kill the guy to remember their anniversary. She supposed it was a date he didn’twantto remember.
She shook the annoyed anger from her mind, forgetting about the two-timing jerk, and focused on Shane. “Another margarita for my friend, and I’ll take another Cabernet.”
“Coming right up.”
She watched as he moved effortlessly behind the bar. “Is this a permanent gig or just helping Connor out?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t like to look too far into the future.” He walked over to her and placed the two drinks on the bar in front of her. “Prefer to take one day at a time.”
“How’s that margarita going?” Harper called from the table, and Olivia laughed.
“I should get back.”
“Of course.”
She took the two drinks in her hand. “If you get a break, stop by the table and meet the girls. If you’re going to be bartending here, you might as well get to know the regulars.”
He smiled. “I’ll do that.”
Olivia headed to the table, fighting with her lips to stay flat and indifferent, but as soon as she sat down her mouth betrayed her. Her lips curved upward, and her cheeks filled with heat, most likely turning them a horrible shade of red.
She handed Harper her drink, and Harper sighed.
“Yup, he’s definitely out of the question.”
Chapter 6
Olivia checked the fridge for the nine hundredth time. Both her parents were at work, and John Andre was settled on the couch for his afternoon nap. She’d call Isla or Harper, but Isla was working the register at her parents’ florist shop, and Harper was doing another paint event at the library. Olivia was unemployed and bored. And hungry. Her stomach growled at that moment as if agreeing with her.
Every time she opened the fridge, she’d hoped something new would appear, but it was still exactly the same. Eggs, milk, leftovers from God only knows when, and a tub of sour cream—no fresh fruit or vegetables from the farmer’s market, no Greek yogurt or artisanal cheese to snack on.
“Forget this,” Olivia announced, and John Andre didn’t even poke his head up from his perch. She grabbed her purse and headed out. A cheat day was calling out to her, and a burger from McConnell’s Pub sounded like the perfect remedy to her growling stomach. Also, she wouldn’t mind a little conversation with someone who wasn’t an eight-pound walking ball of fur. Connor was always a good conversationalist… or Shane.
It’s not like she was going to McConnell’s just to see him. So what if he was a beautiful specimen of a man, and he’d carried her bags for her, met her eyes when he spoke like he was talking to her and not down or over her? She wasn’t going for him. She was going for a burger.
She made herself believe the lie the entire way to the front door when she realized she wasn’t in Manhattan. She couldn’t step outside and wave down a cab. She couldn’t call a car service or hop on the nearest subway. She was in Morgan’s Bay, where a car was essential.
“Damn it,” she mumbled under her breath, and her stomach joined the chorus with a loud rumble. She looked down at the strappy three-inch heels she’d paired with her black shorts and three quarter-sleeve white top. Not exactly the best outfit to walk the mile to Main Street.
There was only one option, and she did not want to sink to such levels, but she was hungry and in desperate need of social interaction. She turned back and grabbed the keys to her parents’ golf cart—the same cart Olivia was embarrassed of the minute her parents bought it and explained it was to put-put around the neighborhood. According to them, John Andre liked the wind in his face. Olivia liked to roll down a window on a nice summer day, too, but her parents didn’t run out and buy her a golf cart.
She tossed all the ill-will to the back of her mind and headed to the garage. She’d never driven the blasted thing, but it couldn’t be that hard. She found the ignition, stuck the key in, and turned it over.
The cart sputtered to life and Olivia placed her bag on the seat beside her. She pushed down on the gas, and the cart moved forward. Dad wasn’t kidding when he said to put-put around the neighborhood; this thing couldn’t get out of its own way. At this rate, she’d be better off walking, but then she thought of the potential blisters and pressed down on the pedal, hoping the golf cart would find some will to speed up.
It didn’t.
Olivia pressed on. She focused on the cheeseburger, but Shane’s face quickly overpowered that vision. A smile came to her face when she thought of their interaction the other night. He was not only easy to talk to when she wasn’t a blubbering mess, but he also paid attention to the little things. Daniel couldn’t even remember her birthday.
