Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (23 page)

“Honestly, Oliver, I didn’t expect you to come.” Shannon tapped a lacquered nail on her glass. “I haven’t heard from you much since Tahiti.”

Just hearing the name of his favorite island made his cock twitch with thoughts of Serene. She was never far from his mind.

Damn her.

It had been almost two agonizing weeks without holding her, hearing her sweet voice and infectious laugh.

You’ve got it bad, all right.

What a joke.

“See”—Shannon touched his arm—“right there. That’s the look I’ve been seeing on your face all night. What or
who’s
got you so distracted?”

Oliver focused his attention Shannon. “I’m here. No distractions.”

“Bullshit.”

Oliver chuckled. He’d never heard her say a bad word.

Shannon’s green eyes softened. “Tell me. It’s okay. I knew the moment we’d met for dinner in Chicago you were not gaga for me, which is why I was surprised when you’d agreed to escort me to this thing. Who is she? What’s the name of the woman who’s stolen the heart of another Banner boy?”

“Serene Ryan.”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? Another Ryan?” The redhead shook her head with a good-natured laugh. “These ladies…” She downed her drink then looked at Oliver. “So why are you here and not with her? Let me guess. It’s complicated?”

“Exactly.”

Shannon waved her hand. “Isn’t it always?”

“I suppose.” Oliver chuckled, deciding that the ginger spitfire was one of the coolest females he knew.

“Do you love her?” Shannon took another glass of bubbly from the server going by.

“I do.”

Answering Shannon had been as natural as breathing, but no less startling. He’d been avoiding that truth for a while now. It had made Serene’s unwillingness to be totally free with him easier to swallow.

“You should call her.”

Oliver finished his champagne. “She’s probably out getting ready for her birthday party tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yup, at Soul Sweet.”

Shannon squealed. “Misha’s restaurant? Awesome! I’ve wanted to see how it turned out. You’re not going?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.”

Saying the words bothered him as much as the thought of not being there to celebrate with Serene.

She doesn’t want me by her side…

“Oliver”—Shannon grabbed him by his tux—“if you love that woman you
have
to be there. Whatever’s gone screwy between you guys can be resolved.”

Oliver stared into Shannon’s vivid emerald eyes then cursed. Serene cared about him, that he knew for sure. She may not want him by her side as her man, but he’d still go and stand by as her friend. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I am. You’ll see, and so will I.”

Oliver glanced at her as he took his phone out of his suit jacket to book the next flight back to Chicago. “You will?”

Shannon nodded. “I’m coming with you.”

Chapter Fifteen

Serene poured her third cup of coffee, took a sip then groaned when her doorbell rang. Misha was early and she wasn’t ready. It had taken all of her willpower just to get out of bed.

A habit lately, huh.

Everything was all jacked up since her fight with Oliver, including her sleep cycle.

“Just call it like it is.”

A
break-up
, not a fight. A fight implied hot make-up sex, an understanding reached. There had been none of that, would be none of that. Not after how angry Oliver had been before he’d left, and the coldness she’d seen in his eyes had spoken volumes. What she’d feared would happen from the beginning had occurred.

They were over.

All because of me… All because of me.

Her sister rang the bell again, interrupting the masochistic sing-a-long song in her head. Serene sighed as she hurried to the door. She buzzed Misha in then looked around in horror. Her growing depression was evident with the messy state of her place.

“Cheer up, birthday girl.” Serene flew into motion, picking up items of clothing littered on her couch.

Messy.

That was her and Oliver, and her without Oliver and—

“Damn it!”

Serene shook her head as if that would stem her dark thoughts as she rushed into her bedroom and tossed the garments on her bed. She’d just shut her bedroom door when she heard Misha knock. She walked to her front entrance then let her sister in. Misha burst by her with a delighted squeal.

“I have homemade doughnuts!” Misha waved the bag in front of her.

Serene grumbled, despite the promise of sugary goodness. “Did you make them?”

Her sister’s face fell. “No, but I know the pastry chef who did.” Misha wagged her finger at her appearance. “You’re not dressed and our mani-pedi is starting in thirty minutes.”

“Maybe you should go without me.” Serene slumped against the back of her couch. “I’m moving kinda slow this morning. I am forty now, you know.”

“Please.” Misha rolled her eyes and pointed to her bare feet, showcasing chipped lilac polish. “Your party starts in less than ten hours and you are not going to rock those sparkly stilettos with
those
feet.”

“Maybe I’ll wear those other heels with the enclosed toe.”

Her sister shook her head. “Uh-uh. You know they don’t look as sexy as the other pair.”

Serene shrugged. What did it matter if Oliver wasn’t there to see her in them?

“Look, Serene.” Misha put her hand on her hip. “This shit has gone on long enough. I know you think all is lost with Oliver, but trust me, it isn’t.”

“He hasn’t called.”

“So what? He chased you, he caught you. He chased you some more and honestly, I can’t say I blame him for not reaching out to you anymore. If you want him, let him know. Pick up the damn phone and tell him, or stop acting like you love Oliver because you couldn’t possibly if you’re not willing to go after
him
now.”

Shocked at her sister’s outburst, it took Serene a moment before she closed her mouth and glared at her. “Fine. Thank you for telling me how you
really
feel.”

Misha bowed at her. “You’re welcome. You know you can
always
count on that.” Her sister’s gaze softened. “I’m just tired of seeing you hurting when things can be fixed.”

Serene blinked back tears and nodded. “I’m going to go put something on.”

“Do that and while you’re in there, put on a damn smile. We’ve got a party to go to with your name on it. We’re going to celebrate your birthday in fabulous style!”

* * * *

Serene put her cell down on Misha’s desk with a heavy heart. She’d tried to call Oliver twice and he hadn’t answered his home line or cell. After working up the nerve to call him, she hadn’t anticipated that he wouldn’t want to talk to her. She’d swallowed her pride and left him a voice message. There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t get it out right. After deleting her message and starting over countless times, she’d finally managed to get out five hoarse words— “I miss you. I’m sorry.”

I left out three more words.

The most important ones, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave that kind of declaration in a voice message. She wanted to look him in the eyes when she told him how she felt. The past two weeks had been hell and she didn’t want to go another day without him. She wanted him, needed him in her life and nothing else mattered.

Serene got up from Misha’s chair, admiring the various photographs of Cameron and her sister enjoying life and good food. Happiness like that was a gift. Serene groaned and wondered when her sister was going to come get her. Misha had given her very specific instructions on how everything would go down, from her entrance into her own bash, seating arrangements and pictures.

Three hours.

She had to get through three hours of celebrating when all she wanted to do was go home, get in her bed and cry.

What if she
had
messed things up for good with Oliver?

The question kept replaying in her head as Serene walked over and looked in the full-length mirror hanging on the wall. She’d bought an off the shoulder, shimmering, robin’s egg blue dress that brushed just above her knees. Serene tightened her hold on her magenta clutch as she gazed at her shoes. She’d purposely worn the stilettos Oliver had helped her try on for him.

That was the moment.

The moment she’d realized her attraction to Oliver.

Would he call her back?

Serene jumped when her sister opened the door with two glasses of champagne in hand. “Dang it, you startled me.”

Misha handed her a glass. “I knew you’d be jumpy. That’s why I brought you some bubbly.”

“Thank you. I hear music. The DJ is set up?”

“Yes, and ready to play the smoothest jazz and latest hits.” Misha lifted her glass to Serene’s and clinked it. “Happy birthday. Cheers.”

“Thanks.” Serene exhaled, mentally trying to push through the melancholy fog enveloping her. Misha had gone through a lot of work to make this night special and she’d make the best of it, for her sake at least. She sipped the drink with her sister.

“Did you talk to him?”

Serene shook her head. “I didn’t get a hold of him. I did leave a message.”

“Good. He’ll call back.” Misha touched her arm. “Hey, I saw the way he was looking at you. He’ll
call
back.” Her sister paused for a moment, listening. “Wait, hear that?”

Serene groaned as the faint strains of the Happy Birthday song being played filtered through the door.

Misha squealed with excitement. “That’s our cue, birthday girl. Let’s go!”

Oliver clapped with the rest of the seated guests as Serene appeared beneath the black and white balloon archway with a radiant smile. Damn, he’d missed her. She looked so vibrant and beautiful. Shannon was right. There was no way he should’ve missed this. He might not be here for her in the capacity he wanted but he was still in the right place at the right time, no matter what. His gut twisted as Serene took the microphone from Misha and waved to the group.

“I want to thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate with me.” Her gaze landed on him and her eyes widened before she looked away. “I-It means a lot to me to have you all here. The best birthdays are the ones you spend with the people who love you.”

“We love you, Serene,” Ava called out and everyone laughed as Serene blew her friend a kiss.

“I want to thank my sister, Misha, and her husband, Cameron, for planning this party and preparing a special dinner for me tonight. You two make a helluva team. Let’s eat!”

Oliver clapped with the crowd as Serene gave the mic back to Misha. He ignored the urge to push everyone out of his way to get to Serene first as she began making her way around each table to greet her guests. The melodic jazz music filling the space did nothing to soothe Oliver’s growing impatience to talk to Serene. He leaned over toward Shannon so she’d hear him above the excited chatter and laughter around them as they were being served. “You were right about me being here.”

“I know.” Shannon winked at him. “I think you owe me one dance for being the catalyst for bringing you back to your true love.”

Oliver chuckled. “Fair enough.”

“These twice baked potatoes are positively sinful.” Shannon moaned. “I’m going to get Misha and Cameron to cater my next big shindig.”

“They’d love to, I’m sure.” Oliver finished his potatoes as his father approached their table.

Can a man just finish his meal in peace?

“Oliver, a word?”

Apparently not. “Just one? Dad, this is Shannon Erby. Shannon, Stephen Banner.”

Stephen shook Shannon’s hand. “A pleasure. May I borrow your date?”

“Oh, he’s not my date.” Shannon’s eyes danced with merriment. “So sure.”

“Thank you.” Stephen stepped back as Oliver got up from his chair. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

Oliver sought out Serene laughing with Josie and Ava before he walked with his dad over to the bar. “Okay, what’s up?”

“We’ve been at odds lately.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow but remained quiet. They both knew that was putting it mildly.

“You need to know that I trust your business acumen one hundred percent. If I put you in charge of a project in the future, I will not interfere and I will trust you to see it through to the end just like you did with Vegas. I’m amazed at how you handled yourself out there.”

Oliver stared at his father in surprise. His dad’s speech was the closest he’d ever gotten to an ‘I’m proud of you, son’.” “Thanks, Dad.”

Stephen nodded. “You’re welcome.”

“I’ve been wanting to say something to you for a while and now is as good a time as ever.”

“Okay, Oliver. What is it?”

Oliver glanced at his brother chatting with Misha. “Cameron needs to hear the same thing. He didn’t choose the family business, but he is kicking ass with his own. You haven’t said a single thing to him about his accomplishments or even been to his restaurants, Dad. That’s just wrong.”

Oliver held his father’s gaze, feeling a weight being lifted off him from having finally spoken his mind. Seconds of uncomfortable silence ensued before his father shocked him again and nodded.

“You’re right. I’ll fix it.”

Oliver peered closer at his father. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Stephen chuckled when Oliver gave him a skeptical look. “Am I really that much of a hard ass?” He chortled when Oliver fake-coughed instead of answering. “Look, you and Cameron have made me damn proud. You both should know it.”

Whoa.

His father’s words touched him and Oliver didn’t know how to respond.

Stephen clapped him on the shoulder. “Now as far as your personal life—”

“That’s
my
business.”

“It is. I’ll do my best to stay out of it.”

Oliver ignored the sardonic glint in his father’s gaze, deciding to take him at his word. “Good. I think Mom is looking for you.” Oliver tilted his head over to where his mom sat and was waving to get his dad’s attention.

“I’ll see what she wants and then I’m going to talk to your brother.”