Hearts in the City Read online

  “The guy...his name is Theo, right?” The man had introduced himself during the game of croquet.

  “Theo Griffin. They’ve been together for two years. Olivia will be pleased to know her meatballs were a hit. Oh look, hubby’s over there beckoning to me so I’d better skedaddle.” Simone hopped up from the table.

  “Sure. And great party by the way,” Alistair said, giving her the thumbs-up sign.

  All by himself at the table, Alistair glanced over at Olivia again. It was hard not to stare at her. He watched in amusement as she gyrated in time to the music, too busy enjoying herself to notice him staring, which was all right with him. He preferred watching her uninterrupted anyway. She was a magical wonder who had blown his mind with her intelligence and unabashed assertiveness. He’d been turned on by her blunt manner and by how strong she was. The wedding had been weeks ago and he’d gone on with his life not really thinking about her. The moment she’d mentioned having a man, he’d immediately given up any notion of her anyway. He’d learned from his short-lived relationship with Tasha Greene that women with other men in their lives spelled drama—something he didn’t need or want. Yet here he was, spellbound once again by this wonder of a woman standing just feet away from him. The mere presence of her had reduced every other woman around her to insignificance. The rest of them might as well have all gone home. They were invisible to him.

  He shook himself back to reality, got up from the table, and picked up his empty plate, tossing it into the tall garbage bin a few feet away. He looked around for his brother, Trey, noticing the spot he’d been sitting in with a girl was now empty. The two of them had disappeared at least from what Alistair could see anyway. Knowing Trey he’d probably taken her inside the house away from the noisy chaos of the backyard to give a slightly less noisy environment to talk to each other. Alistair grinned to himself. He saw a lot of himself in his little brother. Trey had dated many girls during the past six years at school but no one seriously enough to consider settling down with. The same went for Alistair—dating the Tasha Greenes and the Corrine Nevilles of the world and thought they were good women. But at the end of the day they weren’t women he saw himself settling down with.

  He stood and sipped his tea, half watching a game of croquet and half people-watching. A funny thought suddenly struck him that he felt all alone. A good looking guy at a slamming house party, yet he was all by himself—literally. Other couples had begun pairing off to dance with each other. Simone stood on the patio next to Jamal, nestled under one of his arms while he tended the barbecue with his free arm. Olivia and Theo stood off in their own little corner looking lovingly into each other’s eyes. God only knew where Trey had disappeared to with the girl he’d just met. Alistair felt like the odd man out because he had no one. It was times like these that he knew his mother was right for chiding him for his casual dating practices and for lacking a woman in his life he could settle down with. It certainly wasn’t for a lack of prospects. Since arriving at the party he’d received his share female attention He’d noticed a group of Simone’s cousins staring at him all evening. One of them in particular had been throwing flirtatious glances at him all evening. Of course they were wasting their time since he hadn’t even given them as much as a sideways glance. Only moments ago he’d turned around and caught couple of them inching their way closer to him. And the closer they inched their way toward him, the further he inched in the opposite direction.

  Discovering he’d had too much iced tea and needed to relieve himself, Alistair made his way inside the house to use the washroom. When he entered the kitchen through the patio doors, he peered into the living room, the downstairs, even a bedroom, looking for any signs of Trey and the girl he’d taken up with. The two of them were nowhere to be found.

  After finishing up in the washroom, he returned downstairs on his way towards the patio doors to head back outside when the door suddenly swung open and in walked Olivia. It took him by surprise. She stopped in her tracks and smiled when she saw him.

  “Hey! How have you been?” she asked.

  He was happy to see she’d come inside alone. “Not too bad at all. And yourself?” He tried hard to resist drinking her in with his eyes. It wasn’t easy.

  “Oh you know...same old, same old.” She glanced around the kitchen. “Nice digs for Simone and Jamal. Good job finding it for them. It’s gorgeous.”

  “Thank you. They definitely made it their own. It’s like they’ve been married for years.”

  “After only two months,” she added.

  “Is all it’s been? It seems like ages ago.”

  She laughed. “Doesn’t it though? The ink on the marriage license is barely dry.”

  He laughed too. Why the hell was he tongue-tied? He was never tongue-tied. “How’s life been treating you?”

  “Super, super busy. Our firm’s annual retreat is just around the corner and yours truly is in charge of this year’s planning committee.”

  There was a glow on her face as she talked about her work. It was one of the things he’d remembered about her. The fact that she was an independent, very driven and career-oriented woman. “Sounds like it’s a lot of work,” he said.

  “In addition to everything else on my plate—definitely. Somehow I manage to keep up, though.” She glanced around curiously, her facial expression suddenly changing. “I actually came in to look for my sister, Jazlynn. You didn’t happen to see a girl about five foot six, wearing a yellow top and dark blue jeans did you?”

  A light bulb suddenly went off in his head. “She’s your sister?” The hot girl in the tight fitting jean and revealing top with Trey—Olivia’s sister. It was truly a small world. Things had suddenly taken an interesting turn.

  She gave him a wary look. “Yes. My little sister, Jazlynn. So you saw her?”

  “Uh...I saw her a little earlier—talking to my brother. Had no idea she was your sister though. Wow...what a coincidence. I’ve been looking for my brother, too.” Amazing that of all the women at the party, Trey had latched on Olivia’s sister.

  Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “What’s he all about—your brother?”

  “Trey?” He laughed. “He’s a great guy.”

  “Well no kidding.” The smile on her face contrasted her sarcastic tone. She sighed worriedly. “Jazlynn’s only nineteen. She doesn’t always use the best judgment.”

  “Look, I understand that you’re worried,” he said. “But let me assure you. Trey’s a good guy and would nev...”

  “How old is he?” She cut him off.

  Her question came at him like a demand. “Twenty-five.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “Oh my God. Twenty-five? What would he want with a nineteen year old child?”

  She was being irrational. Nineteen wasn’t exactly a child. He touched her arm to reassure her. “I give you my word...she’s in good hands. They more than likely just went for a walk or something.”

  She didn’t look convinced. “Was he driving?”

  Alistair knew where she was going. “I did.” He dug into his pants pocket and pulled a set of car keys. He dangled them in the air. “There’s no way he could have driven her anywhere because I have the keys.” He smiled at her but she didn’t look amused. The smile disappeared from his face. He put the keys back in his pocket. “I stake my life on it that wherever the two of them went, your sister is fine. I’m sure they’ll be back safe and sound.” He cursed the conflicting situation. He personally thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill. But he understood where she was coming from.

  The sound of the patio doors sliding open interrupted them. A woman who looked to be about Olivia’s age walked in.

  Olivia smiled at her. “How are ya, hun?”

  “Just in to call a cab so I can head out.” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling and smiled weakly.

  “Oh no, don’t bothering calling a cab,” Olivia said. “I’ll see if Theo can run you home.”

  “Oh no...don’t do that. I really d
on’t want to put him out of his way.”

  “You won’t be putting him out of his way at all. Hang on a sec while I call him on his cell.” Olivia whipped a cell-phone out of her purse and made the call.

  Alistair was about to leave the kitchen to give the two women some privacy when the woman turned and introduced herself. “I’m sorry...I don’t believe we met yet. I’m Winnie Byers, a good friend of the Parkers. You’re the realtor guy, good friend of Jamal’s right?” She extended a hand to him.

  “Alistair Davenport. Nice to meet you, Winnie.” He shook her hand. She looked tired and worn.

  Olivia ended the call and dropped her cell-phone into her purse. “Theo’s going to drive you home. He said he’ll be waiting out in the car for you.”

  “Oh, Liv, I really didn’t want to put you guys out of your way,” Edwina said.

  “You’re not,” Olivia said. “Theo’s good like that. The two women hugged. “Give me a call so we can talk, okay?”

  “I will. Thank you so much for being there for me. I really appreciate it. Really nice meeting you, Alistair,” Edwina said to him.

  Alistair smiled. “Hey you, too.”

  Edwina looked over at Olivia. “I’ll call you soon.”

  “Please do,” Olivia said, watching her leave the kitchen. She turned to him and sighed. “I’d sure like to know where our siblings went off to.”

  She wandered out of the kitchen toward the living room. Instinctively he followed behind her. Shrugging, he shoved his hands in his pants pocket trying to think of something to say to her to calm her concerns. If it had been Marquise who’d run off with some guy she’d just met he’d be equally as upset. As a matter of fact, he’d have been looking for a fight. He knew he could trust Trey. Convincing someone who’d never met him of that was another story.

  The two of them stood facing each other in the living room.

  “You know if it would make you feel any better I can phone Trey to find out where they went. Maybe it’ll give you some peace of mind.” Alistair pulled his cell-phone out of the holder clipped to his pants pocket and started dialing the number.

  Olivia shook her head and smiled. “No don’t bother. I’m being the overly cautious, overly protective older sister I warned you about, remember?” She went over and plopped down on one of the plush armchairs. “I’ve got to ease up on her. You’re probably right about them going for a walk.”

  “I am.” Alistair smiled. “You’ll see.” He sat down on the sofa across from her and crossed his left ankle over his right knee.

  Olivia looked thoughtfully at him. “Anyway...tell me what’s new with you?” She appeared a little more relaxed now.

  The music outside had died down somewhat. It was getting a little late into the evening. The party would be winding down soon. “I’m planning on starting my own property investment company so that’s high on my list of priorities. I want to start flipping houses for profit.”

  She gave him a look of interest. “Sounds like a great idea. If anyone would know how to do such a thing, it’d be you. When are you planning to get it started?”

  “When I find a partner with enough balls to take a chance. I had a friend who was interested and he backed out on me at the last minute.” Luther had called him only days ago telling him he’d decided against going in on the deal. He was ticked off about it since Luther had expressed so much interest. But he wasn’t going to let it get in the way of potential success. There were some great properties available in Devonshire’s Point. He was keeping his fingers they would still be available when he finally got things off the ground.

  She looked amused. “Somebody with enough balls?”

  He nodded. “Someone who isn’t afraid taking chances. Someone man enough to hang in there and see this thing through.”

  “Well there’s your problem right there. You’re too focused on finding a male partner. Maybe you should broaden your horizons. There could be woman out there who’d make the perfect business partner for you.”

  His eyebrows raised in interest. He laughed. “Ahh...touché...You could be right.” Her suggestion caught him caught him off guard. A very competent attorney, she gave legal advice to company heads and CEO’s everyday. He knew it wasn’t facetiousness on her part but a genuine suggestion. In fact, he really hadn’t considered the possibility of partnering with a woman. He’d only begun putting feelers out a couple of months ago, talking mostly with guys that he knew. But maybe she was right. Maybe he had looking in all the wrong places. “So any suggestions?”

  “Unfortunately I don’t know anyone interested in investing in real estate but I’m sure I know someone who’d be interested in buying some.”

  “How about you—in a partnership with me, I mean?” He pushed right past her comments. He’d never refuse new home buying clients. It wasn’t necessarily new clients he was looking for. He needed a partner. Finding one was proving to be more difficult than he’d imagined it would be. Being a successful corporate attorney, not only could she bring legal expertise, she’d probably had some good capital to put up along with his.

  “Me?” She looked surprised. “Thanks, but no thanks. I could never do it. I’m too busy.”

  “Yes, I know you’re busy. I know you’re very devoted to your legal career,” he said admirably. “But you could always use a diversion couldn’t you? Maybe a new business partnership is just the diversion you need.”

  “I really don’t think so,” she said succinctly, shaking her head. “I really do have enough to keep me busy. But thanks for the offer, though.”

  “Ok...fair enough.” He admired her directness. Lawyers were better at that than anyone. “And not to force the issue or anything, but I know you do your thing really well, and this would be something totally different. We could purchase a few properties together—you with your legal expertise and me with my real estate expertise...who knows? We very well could be a match made in heaven.”

  “Liv? You in here?” a male voice shouted, interrupting the conversation. The two of them turned around and saw Theo peering into the living room at them. “I didn’t see you outside so I figured you’d come in.” He glanced curiously back and forth between the two of them.

  “Hey man, thanks for the game,” Alistair said, engaging him in conversation to break the ice.

  “Likewise,” Theo said, barely turning his head in Alistair’s direction. He clearly had neither the desire nor intention of making conversation with him.

  “You were gone a little while.” Olivia’s gaze was fixed on Theo. “So Winnie got home okay did she?”

  “Uh-huh.” Theo nodded.

  “Alistair and I were talking ab...“

  “Hey baby it’s getting late.” Theo interrupted her, looking at his watch. “We should probably get going.”

  She hopped off the couch and stood next to him. “What time is it anyway?” She grabbed a hold of his wrist, checking the time on the watch around his wrist. “We can’t leave until Jazlynn gets back. She and Alistair’s brother went off somewhere together and haven’t come back yet.”

  Theo gave her an odd look. “What are you talking about? She’s outside I was just talking to her a second ago.”

  Olivia let out a sigh of relief. “Oh good.”

  Alistair was relieved, too. He’d reassured her that Trey was trustworthy and glad he’d been proven correct. The last thing he needed was his brother screwing up making them both look bad. Olivia turned and looked at him. “I guess you were right after all. It was nothing to worry about.” She gave him a knowing look.

  Theo shifted his feet impatiently. “So whenever you’re done, I’ll be outside in the car waiting.” He turned on his heels and left the room.

  “Guess we’re leaving shortly. But it was really nice seeing you again, Alistair. Sorry for getting testy with you earlier about your brother.”

  “No worries.” Alistair got up off the chair. “I promised you Trey would bring your sister back in one piece and he did just that—thankfull
y.” He smiled.

  Olivia nodded. “That, you did.”

  He gave her an affirming look. “See. I told you...we Davenports are good people.”

  “I never doubted that for one minute,” she said with a smile.

  He gave her a playful look. “But you did. Admit it.” He was glad they were alone again so they could finish their conversation. He hated that she was leaving. He could have sat for hours just talking to her. Seeing her again had been wonderful. It had only reinforced incredible she was. He shoved a hand into his pocket and pulled his out his wallet. He rummaged inside one of the compartments and pulled out a business card. “Take one of these just in case you need me for anything.” Their skin made contact, her hand briefly sweeping against his as she took the business card from him. He watched as she scanned it over.

  “Hey thanks. If I’m ever in the market for a new house you’ll be the first one I call.”

  He hoped it was much sooner. He didn’t want to belabor the point and didn’t want to come across as forceful or pushy. “Well who knows...” he shrugged. “...maybe it’ll be much sooner than that.”

  “Well one just never knows...” Her gaze lingered on his. “Nice seeing you again, Alistair.” She touched arm softly. Something quickened inside him at that moment.

  “Great seeing you again too,” he said.

  “So...I’dbetter get goingand say goodnight to Simone and Jamal. I’ll see you around.”

  And then she was gone. A burning desire arose inside him. He stood, sucking in the remnants of the energy she’d left behind. He longed to go running after her, to take her into his arms and kiss her passionately. To whisk her away somewhere alone so he could experience every ounce of her. He ached for her with every fiber of his being.

  Chapter Eight

  On the drive home Olivia’s favorite song came on the radio. She fumbled in the dark, searching for the volume dial, turning it up to a comfortable level. They had dropped Jazlynn off at the house moments ago and were now on their way to Theo’s place where Olivia planned to spend the night. Reaching over in the dark, she took a hold of Theo’s hand like she always did when they drove together. She loved the way her tiny hand felt inside his masculine one. She felt protected and safe. Her hands comfortably clasped in his, she eased her head back onto the headrest. She closed her eyes, singing softly along to the radio. Normally they engaged in a flurry of discussion while driving together, but Theo was unusually quiet tonight and didn’t seem in much of a mood to talk. She chalked it up to him being overly tired. After her song ended, she turned the volume back down to accommodate his quiet mood.