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“That’s greeting card material right there.”
“At least I know if waitressing doesn’t work out, I’ll have something to fall back on.” She flashed him a flirtatious smile, grabbed her tray, and headed to table five. She dropped off the drinks, delivered her parents’ food, and took a few new orders.
The night was flying by, and her feet were killing her. She couldn’t wait to get home and collapse in bed. She still had a few hours left. She brought her parents their receipt, and Dad didn’t even look at the bill, handing his credit card right over.
She went to grab it when he pulled it just out of reach. “Maria tells us you have a new boyfriend.”
This town really didn’t waste any time. At least they didn’t have her pregnant and alone. “I don’t have a new boyfriend. Daniel and I just broke up. I’m not looking for anything serious right now.”
“If you give the milk away for free, no one is going to want to buy the cow,” Mom said, and Olivia all but dropped to the floor and hid under the table.
“Wow, Mom. Okay.”
“All I’m saying is there’s nothing wrong with making a guy work for your attention. It worked for me.” Mom’s gaze swept to Dad’s, and she smiled lovingly at her husband of thirty years.
Just as Olivia was about to run from this conversation, Shane appeared beside her. She looked at him with wide, questioning eyes.
“Did you need me to run that?” he asked, nodding toward the credit card in Dad’s hand. “Sure.” She plucked the card from Dad and handed it to Shane.
“Hi,” Shane said to her parents. “Olivia has told me so much about you.”
“She hasn’t told us anything about you,” Mom said while Dad stared at Shane, his face paler than usual.
Olivia snapped out of her daze. “Mom, Dad, this is Shane McConnell.”
“Shane McConnell Sanchez actually.” Olivia glanced at him, and he shrugged. “My mom’s last name.”
“I’m sorry,” Dad said. “Did you say your name was Shane McConnell?”
“I did, sir.”
Dad’s mouth opened then snapped shut, and Mom’s eyes widened, and her face paled. . Dad shot up from the table. “I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me.” Without another word, he hurried toward the front of the pub and shoved out the door.
Olivia turned to the table. Mom stood, hitching her bag on her arm. “Olivia can you sign your Dad’s name and bring the card home with you tonight? Give yourself a good tip.” Mom went to scurry away when Olivia jumped in front of her.
“Mom, what is going on?” Olivia looked at Shane over Mom’s shoulder, looking as confused as she felt.
“I’m sure your father is just in shock.”
“Shock about what?” A light bulb clicked to life in Olivia’s mind. “Did Dad know Shane’s dad?”
Mom glanced at Shane then locked eyes with her. “He was his best friend.”
Chapter 10
Words and thoughts fled Shane. All he could do was watch as Olivia’s mom hurried after her husband. He tried to process the last two minutes.
Best friends.
Olivia’s dad was best friends with his dad. His dad had a best friend. Why didn’t Mom ever mention him? Surely she knew about the man. Shane thought coming to Morgan’s Bay would provide answers, but all he was finding were more questions. To make it worse, it seemed Mom could have answered a few if she would have been honest with him from the beginning. Why did she keep everything from him? And why suddenly the change of heart when she was dying?
He looked up, as if Mom was there watching down on him and able to provide the answers, but all that was above him was the embossed tin ceiling.
Olivia’s gentle touch landed on his bicep, knocking him out of his daze. He looked to her, shock in her big brown eyes and a tenderness that went straight to his heart. He swallowed at the unexpected emotion. He’d been avoiding relationships for so long, he forgot what it was like to have someone care about him.
Which was something he’d have to straighten out when his head was clear. Caring about him would put Olivia on a one-way street to regret.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper, yet he managed to hear it above the constant chatter surrounding them.
