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“No, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” Harper waitressed for a few summers and made a killing in tips. At this rate she would take any source of income she could get, even if it meant putting her manicure at risk. “Why do you ask?”
“I heard Connor on the phone with someone about placing an ad in the local paper for another waitress. I can put in a good word for you.”
“Technically, I’ve known Connor longer than you, but if you’re offering, why not? It couldn’t hurt.”
“What about I go grab him, and you two can work it out.”
“You wouldn’t mind working with me?” Anticipation sat idly in her stomach while she waited for his response.
“Not only wouldn’t I mind, I’m looking forward to it.”
Heat crept into her cheeks, and she let her hair fall forward to conceal her face. Blotchy red had never been a good look on her. “In that case, go get him.”
It wasn’t a position in her field of marketing or social media, but until she figured out her next move, it was something to help pay the bills. She might even make enough in tips to head back to the city and get her hair and nails done at her favorite salon.
“I’ll be right back.” Shane offered her a wink, and she suppressed a giddy smile.
Three days ago, Olivia thought her world was coming to an end, but now the idea of working with Shane, spending time with him and getting to know him, suddenly her world seemed like it wasn’t ending but starting anew.
Chapter 8
Shane dressed in his usual shorts and t-shirt before heading out. It’d been a long time since he’d been on a date. He’d been more of a casual hook-up kind of guy since both people went in knowing it was only for the night. He had a strict rule about relationships, but since Olivia was currently bouncing back from one, she wouldn’t be looking for anything serious from him. Besides, there was just something about her he couldn’t resist.
What appealed to him most was her love for the town even if she claimed to be a city girl at heart. Chasing the cheapest rent never gave him a chance to stay anywhere long enough to establish a sense of home. Mom became home, and when she passed, he was in every way homeless.
Shane wanted what Olivia had. He wanted to know what it was like to have roots. Maybe he’d never get the father on the doorstep at nightfall in monster slippers. But a place to call his own, a place where he knew everyone and was accepted? That sounded nice, but it also scared the hell out of him.
There was a reason he avoided relationships. For so long he had been a burden, and he never wanted to force that on anyone again. It was safer to avoid entanglements—avoid the pain and suffering that came along with caring for someone.
When Mom died, the heartache was enough to ignore what she had told him about the family he didn’t know existed. He had been mad at her, and not because she’d kept it from him, but because she told him. He was perfectly content going through life never knowing.
He’d had no intention of reaching out to Mimi, or any of the McConnells for that matter, but something in the back of his head kept nudging him to make the call.
Now here he was, walking down the fronts steps of the house, happy as shit to go eat some pie with Olivia. He needed to be careful and not allow her or anyone to break down his resolve. Connor was great, and Olivia…well she was amazing, and that was exactly why he needed to stay strong. He didn’t want to see them hurt in the end.
A black SUV pulled up in front of the house, and Shane froze for a moment. He squinted, trying to see through the dark black tint, but it was impossible. He had no idea who it could be. As far as Shane knew, this house was vacant for the foreseeable future. Unless it was the old tenant coming back to get something they’d forgotten?
The back-passenger window rolled down, and a man with grayish white hair that framed the perimeter of his face appeared. His eyes were far from welcoming, and even though Shane had never seen them before, he knew exactly who they belonged to.
He’d seen pictures when he was at Bayview Estate, and despite that, it was all in his eyes. The man was a McConnell through and through, and not just any McConnell—he was the patriarch.
“Grandpa?” Shane said as he approached the waiting vehicle.
“Get in.” It wasn’t a question and his tone told Shane he had no other options but to obey. Shane walked around to the driver side, opened the door and slid into a cloud of expensive leather and overpriced aftershave.
The driver didn’t acknowledge Shane as he put the SUV in drive. Shane looked at his grandfather, unsure of what to say or how to proceed. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he shifted in his seat. He probably watched one too many mafia movies, but all he could think was he would never be seen again.
“Your grandmother tells me you’re working down at the pub.” His voice was rough but seasoned, and paired with his demeanor and expensive looking suit, it created the picture of a powerful money maker who was to be taken seriously.
“I am,” Shane answered.
“You’re a go-getter. It’s a good quality in a man.”
“I don’t expect anyone to pay my way when I’m capable of earning my own income.” He didn’t want his grandfather to think he was here to freeload. He was here to get answers about his father not to milk the family fortune dry.
“Independent… like your father.”
Shane straightened in his seat. Mom had told him his independence was a trait he inherited from the old man, but hearing it come from this man who had known his father from birth, the impact was different. It went right to his heart and squeezed, making him regret even more the time they never got together.
