Free A Major Attraction by Marie Harte Page B

plagued her, she threw herself into her job.
    But work didn’t satisfy her as it once had, and the realization scared her. Olivia had to remind herself of her five-year plan. “Expansion,” she said aloud, hearing it echo in the empty store.
    Maria, of course, gave her no quarter. Every morning for the past week she’d teased and prodded Olivia to admit her growing feelings for Kyle, which of course Olivia couldn’t acknowledge to her sister-in-law. Heck, she could barely accept it herself. It took a lot of discipline not to text the man every five seconds. And she felt empty, like half a person with Kyle no longer next to her.
    “Get over it, drama queen. He’s only gone for a few days. Geez.”
    Olivia’s forced, bright-eyed expression this morning hadn’t fooled anyone either, least of all herself.
    “You’re going to come to your senses sooner or later,” Maria had said, shaking her head. “It took me one week to see how perfect I was for your brother.”
    “Hmm, as I recall, you and Mike dated for a year before you married.”
    “Well.” Maria had huffed. “It took some convincing to make him see the light, but I’m stubborn to a fault. I can only hope Kyle is as well.”
    Kyle seemed stubborn enough. He also seemed loving, amazing, handsome, loyal…
    Olivia sighed, left her office, and finished cleaning the shop. She double-checked everything before locking the door behind her. The waning moon illuminated her path home, and she entered the empty house with a heavy heart.
    “I am so pathetic.” She collapsed onto the couch. “I’m in the early stages of obsession, that’s all.”
    “Oh really?” a male voice asked from the front door, scaring the crap out of her.
    She clutched her racing heart. “Gimme a break, Mike.” She groaned, staring at her oldest brother through the screened door. “Your wife is bad enough.”
    “Don’t I know it.” He let himself inside then closed the door behind him, shuffled into the kitchen, and returned with two bottles of beer. Handing her one, he studied her carefully. “So I hear you’ve got a new roommate.”
    “What did Maria tell you?”
    “That I would like your new roomie. Something about him being a Marine’s Marine?”
    “Great.” She’d known her loudmouthed friend wouldn’t be able to keep a secret for more than a few days. “I’m surprised she lasted as long as she did.”
    He chuckled. “Actually, Maria told me last Wednesday. I did you the courtesy of waiting for you to tell me.” He stared at her. “I’m still waiting.”
    “I’m a grown woman, Mike. I can live with a man if I want to.”
    “Really?” He quirked his brows, looking just like their father, and she squirmed, knowing it was bound to get worse. “Then you have no problem bringing him to dinner tomorrow night at Mom and Dad’s.”
    A dare, one she’d accept if she could. And there she went missing Kyle again. She cleared her throat. “Actually, I do have a problem with that. He’s not here.”
    “Obviously. What? Terrified we’ll eat him alive?” He grinned, but his eyes looked mean.
    “Kyle can take care of himself.” Of that she had no doubt. He had an easy confidence and commanding presence that bespoke inner strength.
    “Then why won’t you bring him to dinner?”
    “He’s not here , Michael.” Boy, did he irritate her. Just as when they’d been younger, Mike tried to order her around, compensating for their father’s long absences. Their seven-year age difference didn’t help matters.
    “Fine.” Mike took a long swig of beer. “Bring him next week. Unless you have something to hide?” He taunted her, one minute acting like her father, the next like her irritating oldest brother.
    “Fine. I will.” She took a hefty swig of beer and choked.
    He patted her on the back, ignoring the fulminating glare she sent him, and continued to sit with her until she wanted to scream.
    “What else do you want?” she asked through clenched teeth.
    He