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“Hey.” He tugged on her hand, and she stopped, turning to him.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“I know you wanted to handle Daniel on your own, and I never apologized for jumping in like I did.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t mind the assist. I was grateful for it.”
“I was happy to, but I also need you to know that I did it for my own selfish reasons, not because I didn’t’ think you were capable.”
A knowing smile lit her face. “I know. Now, are you done stalling?”
Shane laughed and kissed her knuckles. “That obvious?”
“Your hand is a little sweaty,” she joked.
He let go of her hand and wiped his palm on his pants. She immediately reached out and laced her fingers through his. “If I knew you were going to drop my hand, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
He smiled, and she could see it was for her as it was as much for him.
“You’ve already met everyone.”
“I know, but I met them all separately. Now they’re all going to be together at one table.”
“Everything will be fine.”
“I hope so.”
Shane led the way up the front steps and knocked on the door. Connor opened the door, and Olivia relaxed at the familiar face. He swooped down and hugged her, then motioned them inside.
Olivia stepped into the McConnell house—the house she dreamed about living in since she was a little child. It was an open floor plan with big windows throughout, showcasing the amazing views of the bay. The walls weren’t lined with gold gilt like she’d assumed they would be. Instead, white crown molding framed the room. The walls were a beautiful shade of yellow that brightened the entire house and were complimented by navy, yellow, and white accents that looked like a photoshoot for a high-class magazine.
While it was unbelievably pretty, it felt void of life. There were no scratches on the floor, scuffs on the coffee table, or wear on the upholstery.
Her whole life she couldn’t appreciate what she had, too focused on what she didn’t have. If she would have taken a moment to realize, she would have realized that there was nothing wrong with her life. She’d had blinders on for so long, and they were finally falling away and revealing the things she should have seen all along. Money didn’t buy happiness.
“Shane, darling.” His grandmother came into the room, arms up, martini dangling from one hand. She took Shane in a hug and turned her attention to Olivia.
Shane placed a hand on Olivia’s lower back. “Mimi, this is Olivia Green.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. McConnell. Thank you for having me.”
“Please, call me, Mimi. Everyone else does.”
Olivia felt honored to be able to refer to this woman she had idolized for so long in such a personal manner.
“Come, come. We’re all sitting outside on the patio for cocktails.” Shane’s shoulders set in a rigid tense angle and his head bent up at tight attention. Olivia squeezed Shane’s hand as they followed Mimi to the backyard, hoping to calm whatever was going on in his mind.
“Shane,” Morgan’s Bay mayor—Shane’s uncle—stood from an Adirondack chair and came over to greet them. He shook Shane’s hand and pulled him into a hug. Shane hesitated, awkwardly patting his uncle on the back. Olivia had thought Shane liked his uncle, so why was he so closed off?
Mayor McConnell smiled at Olivia, and Shane once again placed his hand on her lower back. “Uncle Grady, this is Olivia Green.”
“Are you Rick’s kid?” he asked.
“I am.”
“He’s a good man, your father. Always keeps me on my toes at the town meetings.”
