Love So Right (The Lawson Brothers #7)

by Marquita Valentine

  “What about after you sell it?”

  “I’ll still own the building.”

  “Real estate your thing?”

  “Kinda...” She took a sip of tea. “My dad’s mother left me a rather large inheritance when she died, so I bought some properties, hired a crew to renovate them, sold them, and made enough money to buy my building. After I rented out the first-floor spaces, I reinvested my money and bought the paper.”

  “Wow.”

  “Shocked because this blonde isn’t so dumb, huh?”

  “Dumb is not a word anyone would ever use to describe you.”

  She gave him a small smile. “What about you? Why did you buy Whiskey Hollow, as opposed to simply changing careers?”

  “So you finally figured out that I’m one of the Whiskey Hollow Boys?”

  She twirled a piece of hair around her fingers, a sure sign she was nervous. “I was curious because it’s been doing so well... yet no grand opening or invite has appeared on my desk.”

  “I’ll be sure you get one, when we do decide to finally celebrate the opening of the bar... or you can go as my date.”

  Arching a brow, she said, “I’d be happy to go as your friend.”

  He’d walked right into that one. “Anyway, I wanted to be my own boss. Own something that made people happy, and not in a ‘thank you for saving my life’ kind of way. Lot of pressure in that, and I’m not a doctor.”

  “So what if you’re not a doctor... you have saved lives. Don’t sell yourself so short.”

  “You sound like my mom and Sam.”

  “They sound really smart to me.”

  “And there’s that McCoy humbleness.”

  She laughed. “Like Lawsons are paragons of virtue.”

  “Touché,” he said with a grin. “Anyway, if things keep going well, I’m planning on house hunting real soon.”

  “That’s wonderful to hear. If you need any help, I know a ton of real estate professionals. I’d recommend Harper, but she’s busy living with your cousin in Charlotte.”

  “Heard they might be moving back.”

  Apple rubbed her hands together. “I’d like to see that.”

  He gave her a look.

  “Oh, not because I’m doubtful, but because I want Harper to rub it in the faces of every one of those McCoy bitches who were ugly to her at our monthly luncheons. And that would not include me or any of my sisters, in case you’re wondering.”

  “Wasn’t assuming anything.” But he was glad to hear it. He liked the thought of Apple sticking up for Harper. “Using your powers for good is something I expect you to do.”

  Her gaze lowered. “I use them selectively.”

  “Even a goddess acts human sometimes.”

  “Will you stop?” she said, nudging his leg with her foot. “You’re making me out to be this woman I don’t even know.”

  “It’s a slight exaggeration, but for the most part, I think you do a lot of things—as in are the mastermind— and are behind a lot of good things that no one knows about.”

  She didn’t say anything to that, just drank the tea he’d made her and looked at him with big eyes.

  “God help the woman you marry because that pedestal you’re going to put her on is so high she’ll break something when she falls off.” She set down her glass. “I think it’s time for me to go.”

  “Look, I know I’m a half-full type of guy, and that’s not going to change, while you’re a half-empty-and-someone-stole-the-rest type of girl, and that’s not going to change. However, I wouldn’t expect my wife to be perfect, even if I tried every damn day to make her feel like she was nothing less than that.” He meant it. He’d always been the type to look for the good when everyone else looked for the bad. He’d never met a stranger either. That was simply how he was wired.

  Her eyes widened. “I know you said I can’t give you dating advice, but you really should ask Molly out. She would be perfect for someone like you.”

  With that, she grabbed her shoes and ran out of his apartment before he could stop her.

  Jogging after her, he made it down the stairs just as her white Mercedes pulled out of the parking lot.

  “Ask Molly out. Shit,” he muttered, making his way back to his apartment. “Silly woman doesn’t know her own worth.”

  But Preston was going to show Apple exactly how much he thought of her. First, however, he would eat some cake.

  Chapter Six

  Apple had always had an affinity with senior citizens. While other women liked to ooh and ahh over babies, she liked to visit nursing homes and ask the people who lived there about their lives. About what it was like when they were younger. Had they accomplished what they’d set out to do?

  She supposed that had been her first foray into reporting.

  Then again, it was easier to talk with people who could communicate when they needed a nap, to eat, or were ready for her to leave. The older people were, the more they spoke their minds, and she respected that.

  Babies, however, terrified her. Even her beautiful niece and nephew scared her, which was why she hadn’t visited her sister all that much lately. She was certain she’d break Pearl and Holden. At least Cherry was in town, visiting with their baby sister and losing her dang mind over the babies.

  Apple was fairly certain that Cherry wanted one with Kyle, and Kyle, bless his heart, would give Cherry whatever she wanted. Honestly, it amazed her they were still together, but she didn’t think Cherry would marry him. Mostly because Cherry would lose her sole income and she enjoyed the lifestyle it provided too much.

  Cherry: Your presence is required at Lemon’s house. No is not an option. The babies are napping.

  Apple: I’ll be there in thirty minutes.

  There was no need to continue to avoid anyone... and she actually wanted to see her sisters, so she would finish up her interview with Ms. Gladys and be on her way.

  “When you were performing with the USO, did you meet any celebrities?” Apple asked, tapping the record button on her phone.

  Ms. Gladys grinned, her teeth stark white against her dark skin. She had freckles along her nose and eyes so black they reminded Apple of the night sky. “Met a few. Kissed a few, too.”

  “Oh.”

  “But once I met Mr. Wilbur, I stopped my wandering lips and saved all those kisses for him.”

  “Was he in the military as well?”

  She nodded. “He looked mighty fine in his uniform.”

  “How long were you together before you married?”

  “About a month. Back then, when you met the one, you didn’t mess around and play all these get-to-know-you games. Life was too short for that. Still is, in my opinion.”

  “That must have been one heck of a courtship,” Apple said.

  “Can I let you in on a little secret?”

  Apple paused the record button on her app. “Absolutely.”

  “I already knew Mr. Wilbur. We’d grown up together in the same town. He was... well, let’s just say that everyone liked him—everyone but me. I had eyes for another. You know how that story goes... the one I had eyes for was in love with someone else.”

  “I can relate to that,” Apple said wryly.

  “Almost got in the way of me giving Mr. Wilbur a chance, but he was persistent, made me feel like a queen even when I was acting like a wretch to him, and we eventually became friends.”

  “What made you change your mind?”

  “I said he looked mighty fine in his uniform.” Ms. Gladys grinned. “Looked even better in his birthday suit.”

  Apple giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. “Ms. Gladys!”

  “That’s why it’s a secret. Can’t let it get out that I got a sampling of the goods before we married. It would ruin Mr. Wilbur’s reputation, rest his soul. He became a preacher once he got out of the service.”

  “My lips are sealed.” But her mind... her mind was wide open and spinning like crazy.

  “Everyone in here likes that you
come to hear our stories, you know. You make us feel important.”

  Embarrassed by the praise, Apple looked down at the floor for a few seconds. “That’s because you are important. My weekly column about y’all is one of the highest-read portions of the paper.”

  “That’s good to hear, sugar.” Ms. Gladys patted her hand. “All this reminiscing has worn me slam out.”

  “Okay. I have to go see my sisters, so I’ll be back next week.”

  “Lucky you. I only had a brother. Younger than me and as aggravating as biting flies in July. Miss him something fierce.”

  Apple nodded. “I miss mine when I don’t get to visit with them as often as I’m used to.”

  “Make sure you make time, honey.”

  “I will,” Apple promised.

  *

  Apple should have promised something easier to Ms. Gladys.

  Ten minutes into her arrival, all hell had broken loose.

  “You’re getting married,” Lemon screamed, throwing her arms around Cherry’s neck. “I’m so happy for you.”

  Cherry smiled big, almost as big as the rock on her finger.

  “Did you buy that for yourself?” Apple asked, earning a scowl from both her sisters.

  “It was Kyle’s great-grandmother’s ring.” Cherry frowned. “I thought you’d be excited for me.”

  “When am I ever excited about weddings?”

  Lemon rolled her eyes. “Maybe when you decide to marry, you will be.”

  “Is Kyle taking our last name?”

  “No idea,” Cherry said, tossing her strawberry-blonde hair over her shoulder. “I haven’t bothered to bring that up yet.”

  “It’s important.”

  Lemon nodded. “I have to agree with Apple. Kyle should know about McCoy tradition, so y’all can decide if you want to follow it or not.”

  “We have plenty of time for that. We’re not getting married until after his promotion.” Cherry sat down, crossing her legs. “Besides, I want to make sure our parents approve of him.”

  “You need their approval to marry?” The thought of getting their parents’ approval to do anything, especially as an adult, was mind boggling... and so un-Cherry-like that she wasn’t sure who she was talking to. “Aren’t you the same woman who moved to Raleigh without so much as a good-bye?”

  “Which is why I need their approval. They blame Kyle, and I can’t have that.”

  “Is Kyle with them now?” Lemon asked.

  “Playing golf with Daddy at the club.”

  Apple smiled blandly. “Good luck with that.” Kyle would stick out like a sore thumb. A Yankee sore thumb with his thick Boston accent and over-the-top clothes.

  “At least I have someone in my life,” Cherry snapped.

  “Yes, I am so jealous you have Kyle and I don’t.”

  “Don’t be that way,” Lemon gently chided, ever the peacemaker. “I heard you’ve been going out on dates with Preston Lawson.”

  Cherry burst out laughing. She laughed until tears ran down her cheeks and she had to hold her belly. “I can see why you’re jealous of me. Oh, Lord. Preston... the same Preston who took Sydney McKnight out on a date and then stranded her so he could have a threesome with two other girls? The poor soul had to take a cab home. I’m so glad I got to fix that.”

  Apple’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “He what?” Oh, he was so going to explain that.

  Cherry waved a hand in her direction. “Have pickings become that slim since I left? Maybe you should consider moving to Raleigh, sugar.”

  “We’re not dating. We’re friends who spend time together.”

  “Molly Waters said y’all were holding hands at Yates’ Diner. She also said that Preston was interested in her.” Lemon gave Apple a funny look. “Was that your way of setting them up?”

  Apple could lie or she could tell the truth. Perhaps, if Cherry would stop being a pain in the tail, she could get some advice. “No. Preston wants a serious relationship with me, but I said we could just be friends.”

  Lemon and Cherry’s mouths simultaneously dropped open, but Cherry was the first to recover. “Friends with a Lawson?”

  Apple nodded.

  “You’re not sleeping with him?” Lemon asked.

  “No... he, um... he said he wasn’t interested in only a fling,” Apple admitted.

  “I’m trying to find the right words, but they’re escaping me at the moment,” Lemon said.

  Cherry’s mouth flattened. “Why can’t you have something serious with him?”

  “Because it’s not done. Everyone knows that.”

  “Everyone who?” Cherry asked, then understanding dawned on her face. “You’ve got it in your head that you don’t deserve happiness because of what happened between you and cousin Iris.”

  Lemon nodded in agreement. “That and a misplaced sense of taking good men away from the non-McCoy women of Jessamine. Lord, I wish our mother had never told us that bull.”

  Two against one. There was nothing she could do except come clean. “Maybe I do. Maybe I haven’t forgiven myself for being so hateful to Iris before she died, and let’s face it, the women here do feel that way. They wish us well, but they would wish us to hell just the same if we were to start dating the good ones around here.”

  “Please,” Cherry began, crossing her legs. “You date who you want and for as long as you want.”

  Lemon nodded. “You also have to forgive yourself for be so hateful to Iris.”

  Apple shifted in her chair. “I don’t know if I can forgive myself.” She’d tried before, but she still didn’t feel like things were set back to right. Perhaps they’d never be.

  “You could always go talk to her. I bet she can hear you, and maybe you’d get some peace,” Cherry suggested. “But in the meantime, you need to get over this fear of displeasing everyone and make yourself happy. Even if it is Preston Lawson who’s making your vagina sing.”

  “He’s not... he’s not what everyone says he is,” Apple insisted. “He’s actually smart and has the heart of a poet. He says things to me, nice, genuine things that he means... What?”

  Lemon shook her head. “Nothing.”

  Cherry raised her brows. “When do you see him again?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Make your move and see where things go.”

  “I agree,” Lemon said. “It’s only fair you take our advice after dishing it out for so long.”

  Apple tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Fine, but if I end up heartbroken, or worse, married to him, and everyone in town starts to hate me, it’s y’all’s fault.”

  *

  “I didn’t mind picking you up,” Preston said as soon as she crossed the street and grabbed his hand.

  “The expo is literally in front of my apartment. There was no need.” Plus, she was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs and boots. “Where do you want to go first?”

  When he didn’t answer, she gave him a sidelong look, only to find him staring at her. “What?”

  “Sure you want to be holding my hand in front of everyone?”

  She gave him a shy smile. “Yes, actually, I am.”

  “Okay, then.” Her reward for telling the truth was a smile from him that was borderline wicked. “There’s a new CrossFit store in town. I’d like to go there first.”

  “Is that how you keep in shape?”

  “Thanks for noticing.”

  With a roll of her eyes, she turned her attention to downtown. Main Street had been turned into a walking street fair, with food trucks, booths from local vendors, and even a local band playing in the park by the waterfront.

  “Whoever put this together did an amazing job,” she said.

  “I’m surprised it wasn’t you.”

  “This is more my sisters’ area than mine.”

  “You’re really close to them, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “I am. What about you?” She ignored the looks they were getting, but it was becom
ing harder and harder, especially when Molly saw them and gasped loud enough for the mayor of Holland Springs to hear them, two towns over.

  Preston didn’t let go, though. He squeezed her hand lightly and pulled her closer, like he was making a statement... or staking his claim. “I have four brothers in Texas; we have the same dad, but different moms. They’re all younger than me by ten years at least. Weirdly, Elijah and I have always been closer than I ever have been with my brothers. And Caleb’s always given me good advice.”

  Her heart slammed against her chest. She hadn’t thought about his relationship with him. “Does he know we’re friends?” Would he warn Preston away from her? Tell him just how awful she could be?

  “He does, and he said for me to walk alongside you. To treat you with respect. Not that I was ever planning to be disrespectful, you understand.”

  “Wow. I didn’t expect him to say that.”

  “He’s a good guy, Apple.” There wasn’t jealousy in his tone, but there was a warning. Only she wasn’t sure what he was warning her against.

  “I know he is, and we’ve made peace with one another. I wish him and Sofia the best.”

  Preston glanced at her. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “I’m not heartless.”

  “It’s not a lack of heart that concerns me.”

  She stopped and tugged on his arm, pulling him into the alley beside her building. “I said I’m not in love with him, and I mean it.” She searched his sexy face, willing him to believe her. “What happened with us, which wasn’t much at all, was years ago. I mean, gosh, Preston, he only kissed my cheek.”

  “Until this moment, I didn’t know how fucking happy I’d be to know that.” Preston leaned casually against the building, but his eyes were full of fire. “Anything else you’d like to share?”

  Her pulse beat wildly. “My sisters said that I should make my move and see where things go with you.”

  He dipped his head, and desire hit her so hard that her knees threatened to buckle. “That so?”

  “Yes.”

  “How would you feel if we skipped the expo and went back to my place so you can make your move? Hell, I have some moves of my own I’ve been wanting to show you.”