by LuAnn McLane
“If you didn’t come to your senses, I was gonna dunk you,” Oliver said. “Now go—you’ve got some work to get done, and fast.”
Two long-ass days later, Jimmy landed in Cleveland. He rented a car and then input the address he’d gotten from Maggie—with the excuse that he wanted to send Granny Mags some flowers—into the GPS. The thirty-minute drive seemed to take forever, but then suddenly he was parked outside a small brick house with an immaculate lawn. Colorful flowers in full bloom hung from baskets on the front porch.
Jimmy swallowed hard and tried to slow the rapid beat of his heart. A sedan in the driveway indicated that someone was home. He killed the engine, and when the interior started to heat up, he opened the car door and walked up the sidewalk to the front porch. After rolling his shoulders back, Jimmy sucked in a deep breath, blew it out, and then rang the doorbell. His pulse accelerated when he heard footsteps. A white-haired woman, who reminded Jimmy a bit of Betty White, stood in the doorway. Ah, Granny Mags.
“Whatever it is you’re selling, I’m buying,” Granny Mags said.
“Mags, who is it?” called a feminine voice that sounded a lot like Maggie’s, but then a lovely, petite woman stood next to Granny Mags. Jane Murphy.
“Oh my God …” Jane put her hand to her chest.
“My thoughts exactly,” Granny Mags said.
“Jimmy Heart?” Jane asked in a near whisper.
Jimmy nodded. “Is … is Maggie here, by chance?”
Granny Mags and Jane nodded in unison.
“May I come in?” Jimmy asked, amused enough at their reaction to forget some of his nerves.
“Of course,” Jane said, fumbling for the handle of the screen door.
A moment later, Jimmy stood in the foyer. The house smelled like Irish stew, and he could hear Maggie humming from what must be the kitchen.
“Who is this hunk of a man and why am I in the dark?” Granny Mags asked Jane.
“Maggie’s boyfriend.”
“What?” Granny Mags asked, clearly put out, and then gave Jimmy the once-over. “Not that I don’t wholeheartedly approve.”
“Mags!” Jane sputtered. “Be on your good behavior.”
“Now what fun would that be?” the old woman asked, and gave Jimmy a wink.
Jimmy grinned and Granny Mags blushed.
“Follow me,” Granny Mags said, mumbling under her breath while she walked.
Jimmy stood in the doorway of a kitchen that could have been ripped out of a 1950s magazine ad. Trixie was curled up on a braided rug, asleep in the sunshine pouring through a back window shielded by white eyelet curtains. Maggie stood with her back to them, stirring a big pot of stew with a wooden spoon. She peeked in the oven, letting out the aroma of apple pie. She wore frayed denim shorts and a snug blue T-shirt that hugged her curves. Her feet were bare and her hair was piled up on her head in a sloppy bun. She looked so damned sexy that Jimmy nearly groaned.
“Who was at …” she began, but stopped midsentence when she turned around and spotted Jimmy. Her jaw dropped open and the spoon slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.
“Are you just going to stand there catching flies, girlie? Come over here and give this stud muffin a kiss,” Granny Mags said. “Before I beat you to it.”
When Jimmy opened his arms, Maggie closed the gap and hurled herself at him.
Laughing, Jimmy staggered backward, dipped his head, and kissed her. He wanted to keep the kiss proper, but Maggie wasn’t having it and kissed him like … damn, like she’d missed him as much as he’d missed her.
“That’s more like it,” Granny Mags said. “Now let’s get the bottle of Jameson out, sit down at the table, and you’ll let me in on this story that I should already know.”
“Mags …” Jane warned.
“Don’t even tell me I can’t have a little nip on what is surely going to be a grand occasion.”
Jane muttered under her breath but put the bottle and four glasses on the table. She added one large cube of ice to each glass and then poured generous servings.
“May I have a moment with Maggie before we have our drink?” Jimmy asked, but instead of feeling nervous, he felt a certain calm wash over him.
“Privately?” Maggie asked.
Jimmy hesitated and then cleared his throat. “No, actually, if you’ll just stand for a moment.”
Maggie scooted her chair back and stood up. Jimmy saw Granny Mags and Jane clasp hands, eyes wide.
Jimmy cupped Maggie’s chin and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Maggie, the thought of you moving back here and not returning to Florida made my heart ache. I missed you more than I thought possible. While I love the sand and the sea, nothing felt right without you by my side. And so, I don’t care where we live. Here? So you can be close to your family? Back and forth? It doesn’t matter to me. I love you so much.” He reached into the pocket of his cargo shorts and pulled out a blue box. “Maggie May Murphy, will you marry me?”
Maggie put a hand to her chest and Jimmy heard both Granny Mags and Maggie’s mom gasp.
He opened the box, revealing a heart-shaped solitaire.
“Yes! Oh yes!” Maggie said.
Jimmy took the ring from the box and slid it onto her trembling finger.
“It’s stunning. A heart … oh, Jimmy. It’s perfect.” She swiped at tears and then flung her arms around him. “You’re perfect.”
Jimmy swung her around while she laughed. Trixie sat up and looked at them and did the little doggie cocking-her-head-from-side-to-side thing.
“We’re getting married!” Maggie said to Trixie. “You can be in the wedding.”
Granny Mags and Jane scooted back from the table, joining in the dance of happiness and hugs.
“Well, this calls for a drink,” Granny Mags said. “And this is truly a grand occasion. Welcome to the family, Jimmy.” She gave him a hug and then turned to the table and they all picked up their glasses.
“To love everlasting,” Granny Mags said.
They clinked glasses and took a sip of Irish whiskey.
“Whew, that’s good stuff,” Granny Mags said, and turned on her heel.
“Where are you going?” Jane called after her.
“To pack my bags. We’re moving to Florida!” She raised her glass over her head and kept on walking.
EPILOGUE
HAPPY
“Now this is the life, isn’t it, Mags?” Jane asked, raising her hurricane glass in salute to Jimmy and Maggie.
“Sure is,” Granny Mags agreed from her lounge chair overlooking a sparkling swimming pool. She picked up her own glass. “It’s only been six months but it feels as if I’m on a permanent vacation. We have you two to thank for this.”
Maggie smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Don’t forget Trixie. She was the little matchmaker who brought us together,” Jimmy said, grinning. “Come here, girl,” he coaxed, and Trixie jumped up onto his lap.
“True!” Maggie laughed. “She won us both over pretty quickly.”
“Have you two come up with a wedding date yet?” Jane asked.
Maggie twirled the little umbrella in her drink but shook her head. “We’re still trying to get everyone’s schedules to comply. Not an easy task.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Granny Mags grumbled. “I’m ready for a great-grandbaby.”
“Mags!” Jane shot her a look of warning that went unheeded.
“I’m just sayin,’ I want a wee one to hold in my arms,” Granny Mags said with a wistful sigh.
“Everything okay at your place, Mags?” Jane asked. “Need anything?”
Maggie grinned at Jimmy, knowing her mother was trying to change the subject.
“Stop being a worrywart. And you don’t need to bring me dinner every night. You live right across the street. Makes me feel as if you think you need to check up on me.”
“I don’t think any such thing,” Jane protested.
“She does,” Granny Mags said to Maggie.<
br />
Jane pulled a face at Mags.
“Well, don’t come checking up on me tonight, because I’m fixing dinner for Max,” Granny Mags said with a coy little smile. “Max and Mags … has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, Granny Mags, tell us more about your beau!” Maggie prompted. “Mom, what do you think of him?” She gave Jimmy a discreet nudge with her elbow.
Jane laughed. “I have to say, he’s quite dapper.”
“And the man can kiss,” Granny Mags said with a dreamy smile.
“Uh, too much information.” Maggie groaned, but Granny Mags laughed and took a sip of her piña colada.
“Welcome to my world,” Jane said with a shake of her head. Maggie smiled.
The fifty-five-and-older retirement complex was just what the doctor ordered. Granny Mags’s skin glowed, and she had more energy than some twenty-year-olds. She and Jane had closed on the house in Cleveland last month, making them both official full-time Floridians. And best of all? They lived just twenty minutes away from Maggie and Jimmy.
“So when are you going to date, Mom? You sure look good with your sassy haircut and bold lipstick.”
Jane took a quick swig of her drink, avoiding the question.
“Maggie sure did a fine job picking out Florida-style clothes for you. I swear you could pass for forty. And with that sexy little convertible? Girl, you got it goin’ on,” Granny Mags said with a nod of approval.
“Why, thank you, Mags.”
Maggie smiled and felt a lump of emotion in her throat. With the sale of the house and the nest egg her mother had carefully socked away over the years, she and her grandmother could live comfortably. And with Maggie planning her wedding, she’d hired her mother as her personal assistant to monitor social media and her website and take care of other odds and ends that only took up a few hours each day. The rest of Maggie’s mother’s days were spent reading, lounging by the pool, getting daily exercise, and socializing with new friends. And even, perhaps, dating!
“Did you have a look at the weather in Cleveland right now? Eighteen degrees and a foot of snow,” Mags said, laughing. She slapped her leg. “I’m so happy to be down south.”
“We’re so glad you’re living in Sea Breeze,” Jimmy said, scratching Trixie behind the ears.
“What took us so long to do this?” Granny Mags asked.
Jane lifted her sunglasses and gave Mags a look.
“Okay … me.” She took a drink from her bendy straw and then sat up straighter. “Don’t look now, but Jack Mason is heading toward the mailbox,” she said in a stage whisper, and then gave Jane a wink. Jane looked and then quickly turned her head.
“Told you not to look. Why do people always do that?” Granny Mags asked, drawing a chuckle from Jimmy. “But, anyhow, just when are you gonna give him the time of day, Jane? I wouldn’t mind his boots under my bed.”
“Mags!” Jane said, widening her eyes at Maggie.
“Just making a simple observation,” Granny Mags said in a bit of a huff.
Maggie leaned in close to her mother. “Go on, Mom!” She glanced at Jimmy and smiled. “I can tell you that the mailbox is a good place to start a conversation.”
“I already got my mail today,” Jane said.
“Mom, are you serious?” Maggie reached over and took Trixie from Jimmy’s lap. “Here, Trixie will yap at him and then you can start the conversation with an apology.”
Maggie watched her mother purse her lips together and her heart thudded.
“Oh, come on, Jane,” Granny Mags said. “Don’t be such a wimpy-butt.”
Jane narrowed her eyes at Granny Mags. “Who are you calling a wimpy-butt?”
“You! Now when are you going to put on your big-girl panties and head on over there?” Granny Mags asked. Jane sucked in a breath and slid her sunglasses back on. “Right about … now. Come on, Trixie, let’s do this thing.”
Maggie felt hot moisture in her eyes as she watched her mother walk toward the community mailboxes at the end of the lane. Jimmy squeezed her hand and smiled warmly at her.
“It’s about time,” Granny Mags said gruffly, and then swiped at a tear that slid down her cheek. She looked over at Jimmy and Maggie and sighed. “Life is good.”
Maggie nodded at her grandmother and then turned to smile at Jimmy. “It sure is, Granny Mags.”
Jimmy kissed Maggie lightly on the lips. “I couldn’t agree more.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my brilliant editor, Molly Gregory, and the amazing editorial staff at Pocket Star Books. From the gorgeous, energetic covers to the copy edits and promotions, I couldn’t ask for a better team behind the Heartthrob series.
And as always, a special thanks to my agent, Jenny Bent, for her enthusiasm and guidance throughout the years we’ve worked together.
Keep on reading for a sneak peek at the grand finale
AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME
Volume 4 in the Heartthrob Series
Available in June 2018 from Pocket Star!
CHAPTER ONE
STEP BY STEP
Jesse Heart stood in the bright Florida sunshine just outside the Sea Breeze Performing Arts Center. Tall palm trees reached toward a cloudless blue sky, and the late-April morning carried a bit of a nip on the air—at least by Floridian standards. A dozen steps and two ornate wooden doors separated Jesse from his destination, but he clasped his hand around the cool metal handrail and hesitated.
Students brushed by him, hurrying to music or to dance class, chattering, laughing, eager to head inside the stately building. And yet, Jesse stood rooted to the concrete, suddenly questioning his sanity. Why did I commit to participating in this damned dance competition? he wondered. Still, there was no going back. A Heart’s word was good as gold.
Jesse rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension throbbing in his neck. According to his manager, his dance partner, Ava Mayor, had made her displeasure perfectly clear that a boy-band, hip-hop dancer wasn’t up to her lofty ballroom-dancing standards. Jesse blew out a sigh. His earlier phone conversation with Ava hadn’t gone well either. She’d droned on about rules and promptness along with insanely early rehearsals until Jesse had zoned out, adding an “uh-huh” and “sure” here and there, totally missing a meeting date. Standing Ava up at the local coffee shop later that same afternoon sure as hell hadn’t made her any fonder of pairing up with him. But this wasn’t just about dancing. The performing arts center needed some major repairs, and Jesse’s participation ensured a big turnout for the event, so he’d agreed to help the cause. But although they were to be judged and scored while they danced to open the show, they weren’t part of the actual competition, just ambassadors of sorts to create excitement and sell tickets.
So what was the big damned deal?
A trickle of perspiration slid between Jesse’s shoulder blades, and he was suddenly glad he’d worn a pale-blue Hurley T-shirt that wouldn’t show the sweat. Damn, he was supposed to be the happy-go-lucky Heart brother, never taking anything seriously. But right now, he felt as if he was about to go onstage and couldn’t remember the lyrics to the song he was about to sing.
Jesse glanced down, hoping that loose-fitting jogging shorts and running shoes passed for appropriate dance attire, but then he shrugged. Hey, he was a volunteer for this thing, so it didn’t matter whether or not he looked the part. “This is seriously stupid,” Jesse grumbled under his breath. Gritting his teeth, he forced his feet to move forward. After determinedly taking the steps up to the performing arts center two at a time, he tugged open the heavy front door, grateful when the air-conditioning hit his warm face.
Fingers of sunshine reached into the spacious atrium, spilling in from the floor-to-ceiling windows on Jesse’s left. Green potted plants stood out in contrast to the stark white walls, and terrazzo flooring gleamed as if recently polished. Jesse smiled. He loved this building.
A wide staircase led to the theater where Heartbeat had performed many
a concert, but with renewed determination, Jesse turned right and headed down a hallway that led to classrooms and dance studios.
He stopped in front of Ava Mayor’s studio, wondering if he should knock or simply enter. He fished in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone, noting that he’d arrived ten minutes early—unusual, since he tended to be late, something that drove his prompt brothers crazy. Tardiness was an unwanted habit that was difficult to break. He didn’t run behind on purpose, but always seemed to forget something; in some cases, time just seemed to get away from him. Jesse’s ADD excuse didn’t hold water with his brothers, but then again, they didn’t have to live with a brain that always had too many tabs open. His twin brother, Jimmy, was a bit of a daydreamer, but Jesse won the prize for getting distracted.
Late people annoyed on-time people to the max, and Jesse’s manager had warned him that Ava Mayor was a stickler for punctuality. Adding to the torture, Ava liked to start rehearsals bright and early—as in, seven-o’-clock-in-the-morning early. Damn, he wished he had a giant coffee in his hand.
Jesse decided to lean against the cool wall to the left of the studio door until precisely seven o’clock. Unfortunately, mornings weren’t his favorite time of the day. He tended to be a night owl, like his twin—one of the few traits they had in common.
Blowing out a sigh, Jesse shoved his fingers through his shaggy, sun-streaked hair, styled as it had been since his Heartbeat heyday. At thirty-one, he knew he should probably consider a more conservative cut, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. His hair suited his laid-back, beach-loving lifestyle, and so, well, there you go.
Jesse looked at his cell phone screen again and his stomach rumbled, making him wish he was not only a morning person, but also a breakfast eater. “The most important meal of the day!” his mother had warned. Well, maybe, but not if your stomach lurched at the thought of Frosted Mini-Wheats before the sun finished rising. And maybe he should’ve skipped that last cup of coffee, because he felt damned wired. Still though, he wouldn’t turn another cup down.