Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
BANE
I t was shocking how empty the condo felt when Magnolia was gone. I wandered around, then tried to get the harness on Hedgy. He wasn’t a fan and kept walking backward as if to try to get it off. Watching it made me laugh. I clipped the leash on and tried to encourage him, but all he did was lie down on the floor and play dead. I dragged him around a bit, tried setting him on his feet and showing him what to do, but he simply flopped back to the floor. I scratched my head. Maybe Magnolia was right.
Finally, I gave up but left the harness on. He’d get used to it, and we’d try walking again later. I left him to his endeavors and got dressed to meet Sam. He had suggested a new place close to the condo, so I decided to walk. I checked on Hedgy, finding him still attempting to take the harness off and not looking happy. I gave in and took it off him. He shot me a look that said it all, then he ran away, ducking under the bed in the guest room. I held it up, Magnolia’s words coming back to me. I wondered how sexy she would look tied up on my bed.
Then I shook my head and left to meet Sam. I took a table outside and waited for him. I was a little early. I texted Magnolia, who told me she was having coffee with Rylee soon. I asked about her dad, and she informed me he was alert for a brief time, but it hadn’t lasted. I felt her sadness in the short reply and decided I needed to do something to cheer her up. I sipped at my coffee and, for fun, Googled Mr. Grey. My eyes were wide as I read about the books, and I decided I was enough to deal with without adding ropes.
Unless she asked. Then I’d invest in some silk scarves for her.
I moved on to Googling information about getting a cat to enjoy taking walks. Patience seemed to be the key, and the bottom line was, I never was good with that word. Then I stumbled on a backpack you could wear, letting the cat get fresh air and enjoy the walk, while keeping them safe. I had a feeling it would work for my runs too. I wondered how Hedgy would feel. If Magnolia would laugh at my efforts.
Sam appeared behind me, reading over my shoulder.
“A backpack for a cat? What the hell, Bane?” He sat down, plucking the phone from my hand and reading the screen. “Since when do you have a cat?”
I told him the story after the waitress took our orders. He regarded me over the rim of his glass. “You and the condom girl now have a cat,” he repeated.
“Don’t call her that.”
He held up his hands. “Sorry. You and Ms. Myers now have a cat.”
I nodded, picking up my sandwich and inspecting it. It didn’t look as good as the ones Magnolia made me. I took a bite and chewed slowly. It was okay but didn’t taste as good either.
“So, you’re still seeing her?” he asked.
“I asked her to marry me.”
His eyes widened, and he sputtered into his beer. “What the hell?”
“She said yes.”
He regarded me with narrowed eyes. “So, the girl who tried to kill your dick then junk-punched you is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?” He slung an arm over the back of his chair, eyeing me up. “You got some weird penis pain fetish I don’t know about?”
I started to laugh. “I have a weird Magnolia Myers fetish.”
“You serious about this girl?”
“I asked her to marry me,” I repeated.
He was silent for a few moments. “You love this girl, Alex?”
“I care about her. I want to spend my life with her.”
“Do you love her?”
“As much as I can love.”
He shook his head. “I think you’re capable of loving.”
“I’m capable of caring. Looking after. Protecting. Providing.”
“And that’s enough for her?”
“She says she loves me,” I admitted quietly.
“How did that feel?”
“Like a gift I don’t deserve.”
“I think you do deserve it. I hope you feel like that someday. If she is the one, then I hope she makes you see that as well.” He paused. “Have you thought about the fact that by denying her your love, it could be hurting her?”
I frowned. “I don’t want to hurt her. She knows I care.”
“But your care has a ceiling.”
“No.”
“Then you love her.”
He was confusing me and starting to piss me off. I glared at him. “She is the right one. She’s the only one. She knows that.”
Sam didn’t look convinced. “You care, so you put a ring on it,” he mused. “Interesting.”
I had no idea what he meant by that, but his words made me curse.
“Shit, no. I haven’t got a ring yet. The proposal sort of slipped out.”
“You are such an idiot.” He leaned back, typing on his phone. A moment later, he grinned. “You’re lucky. My friend Smithy is a jeweler. He’ll meet us in half an hour at his shop.”
“Perfect.”
“And you’re paying for lunch.”
I laughed. “Least I can do.”
“That’s what I thought.”
We came out of the shop, the small box in my pocket feeling too light for what it represented. The ring was perfect for Magnolia, and I hoped she’d love it.
“Celebratory drink?” Sam asked.
I looked across the street, a dark swath of hair catching my eye. Magnolia and Rylee were at a table outside of a small café. Rylee was bent over the table and talking a mile a minute. Magnolia was looking shell-shocked.
“How about you meet the lady instead?”
“What?” he asked. “Where?”
“Across the street.”
He looked over and whistled. “Buddy, if you tell me your lady is the sexy little blonde with the curves, we’re gonna have a problem.”
“Nope. That’s Rylee Jenkins—she works for me. My Magnolia is the dark-haired vixen.”
“Then do introduce me. To both.”
We crossed the street, neither woman noticing us. I stood beside the table, hearing Rylee’s low demand.
“And in bed? How is he in bed?”
My mouth curved at the immediate flush on Magnolia’s face. “Yes, do tell us how I am in bed,” I broke in, startling them. “I’d love to hear it.”
Both women jerked upright at the sound of my voice. Magnolia’s eyes went wide. “Alex, what are you doing here?”
I tutted her and bent, pressing a kiss to her head. “Sam and I had to pick something up across the street. I saw you and thought we could join you.” I smiled at Rylee. “If you wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course not, Mr. Bane.”
I shook my head. “You’re a friend of Magnolia’s, and we’re out of the office. Call me Alex.” I indicated Sam, who was staring at her. “This is Sam.” I nudged him. “Sam, this is Magnolia. And Rylee.”
He shook Rylee’s hand. “Pleasure,” he rumbled. He turned to Magnolia. “The infamous Magnolia Myers.”
“Infamous?”
He grinned. “Oh, the stories.” He winked. “The, ah, incidents.”
Magnolia flushed, unsure where to look. “Don’t be an ass,” I muttered and sat beside her, pulling her close. “Don’t let him get to you.”
Sam sat next to Rylee, pulling out the chair and straddling it. “So, Rylee, you work for my friend here?”
“Yes.”
“You’re an assistant too?”
“I’m head of IT.”
“Most brilliant programmer I’ve ever worked with,” I added. “And her systems and security are incredible. I’m constantly fighting off offers to take her away.”
Sam looked impressed. “Wow. Aside from the programs at the hospital, I’m not great with computers.”
“Well, I can’t diagnose an illness. We all have our talents.”
Rylee’s phone buzzed, and she frowned as she read it. “Maggie, I’m sorry. I have to go.”
Magnolia looked disappointed, but she was understanding. “Okay.”
“I need to order an Uber.”
“I can drive you,” Sam offered. “I was leaving.”
“Oh. It might be out of your way.”
“Nope. It’s not.”
“I haven’t said where?—”
He stood, offering her his hand. “It’s fine. I’ll drive you.”
“Um, okay.” She accepted his hand and looked at Magnolia. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Magnolia nodded, and I saw the look that passed between them. They were going to be talking hard in the morning. I hoped Magnolia shared. I had no idea what Sam was doing.
They left, and I ordered a coffee. Then I started to laugh.
“What?”
“Sam left. He drove us here.”
Magnolia joined in my amusement.
“I think Rylee bowled him over.”
“Well, at least not literally, like the way you did the first time we met.”
Magnolia rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Bane. I guess you’ll have to slum it on the bus with me home.”
“Nope. I can call an Uber, too, you know. Or Darryl.”
“Or we can walk. Too bad Hedgy isn’t here.”
I grimaced. “He wasn’t impressed earlier.” I showed her the video I had made of our attempted walk. She laughed merrily over Hedgy’s antics.
“Maybe he’ll get used to it.”
“I have a feeling, Maggie darling, as usual, you were right.”
She leaned closer and kissed me. “If we’re getting married, you better get used to it.”
I kissed her back. “I guess so.”
But somehow, the thought didn’t upset me.
MAGNOLIA
I woke up early Monday morning, Bane sitting on the side of the bed, a tray in his hands.
“Hi,” I murmured, sitting up.
He grinned, sliding the tray onto my knees. “I made breakfast. Not as good as yours…”
I smiled at the tray. Toast and coffee. A small container of jam. Some slightly scorched bacon.
“Looks good,” I assured him. I touched the pretty roses in the vase. “Nice touch.”
“Romantic,” he replied.
I laughed, picking up my cup and taking a sip. “Yes, very romantic.”
He handed me a piece of bacon, and I crunched it, the salty flavor helping hide the burned edges.
“Crispy,” I mumbled.
He grimaced. “A little too much. I got distracted.”
“Doing?”
“Taking the thorns off the roses.”
“That was thoughtful.”
He stared at me, his eyes intense. “I know.”
I glanced at the pretty roses, the pink petals soft. I could smell the fragrance. I looked at Bane again. He was watching me, his gaze focused, something in it making me wary. I reached out to touch a petal when I saw it. Between the green foliage was a ring. Sparkling in the low light, simple and elegant. So beautiful, my breath caught.
My gaze flew to meet his. He reached for the flower, letting the ring fall into his palm. Then he reached for my hand, slipping it into place. It fit perfectly, and I stared at it, speechless.
“Alex,” I breathed out.
“Sam had a friend who let me into his store yesterday. I saw this ring and knew it was meant for you.”
I let out a shaky breath. “It’s so lovely.”
He took the tray, placing it on the floor and moving closer. “Marry me, Magnolia. I promise to be the best husband I can be.” He swallowed. “I asked your dad, and he gave me his blessing.”
“What?” I gasped.
“I went to see him on Saturday afternoon. It was good. He recalled meeting me. We talked about you, and I promised to take care of you—make sure you were always looked after. I told him you meant more than anyone else ever had or ever would. That I thought you were incredible. He said that was all he wanted, and he agreed.”
Tears built behind my eyes. “I thought he was mixing things up in his head. He told me he gave a tall man his blessing.”
“No, he really did.”
I burst into tears, and Alex dragged me to his lap. He held me close, letting me get it out.
“He fell asleep while I went to get him a cup of tea,” he told me. “When he woke up, he didn’t remember anymore, but I was okay with that. He thought I was an orderly bringing him the tea. I sat with him for a few moments and left when he fell asleep again.”
“He does that a lot now.”
He held me tighter. “I know.” His voice was low in my ear. “I’ll take care of you, Maggie darling. I promise I’ll try to be everything you need. I adore you. I want a life with you. Please.”
I had already agreed, but I gave him the word he wanted. “Yes.”
He kissed me, wiping away the tears. “Thank you.”
My flowers were waiting for me when I got to the office. Today was a massive bouquet, so large I couldn’t fit it on my desk. Bane walked past me, eyeing the flowers with disdain. “You really have to control your suitor,” he muttered. “Do I need to send flowers to compete?”
“No,” I insisted. I didn’t want more flowers. “Listen, Bane, maybe you could call them. Or better yet, take your intimidating self into the shop and demand to know who is sending them. It’s starting to bother me.”
“Why?”
“Because a mysterious stranger sends me flowers every week. No other contact. Nothing. It feels wrong—especially now.”
“Especially now?”
I glanced at my ring. “Yes, now.”
He smiled and lifted my hand, kissing it. “I wouldn’t worry, Magnolia. I read something the other day about various experiments people do. Like sending flowers or friendly cards as part of a social experiment to see how people react and if the offerings change their outlooks. Maybe you are part of one of those.”
I frowned. “I never thought of that.”
“I’m sure they’ll stop soon enough. In the meantime, in the wise words of your deliveryman—enjoy.”
He left for his meeting, and I touched the petals of a beautiful lily. He was probably right, but part of me felt a weird sensation. As if I wanted him to get upset over the flowers and throw them away, ranting only he should be sending me the pretty blooms.
But since he didn’t love me, that reaction would make no sense.
I felt a little sad as I went back to work.
Later that morning, I sat in the lounge, smiling as Rylee joined me. “You sneaking a break?” she asked.
I grinned, shaking my head. “Bane’s in a meeting. I needed a coffee.” I hunched closer. “What the hell happened yesterday?”
She shook her head, her eyes confused. “I have no idea. Sam insisted on driving me home so I could get to work on the problem one of my clients has—” She stopped at my quizzical look. “I have a few outside clients I design websites and software for.”
“Ah.”
“He followed me into my apartment, all serious and curious. He told me I needed a better place to live—somewhere more secure. I told him if he wanted to pay my rent, feel free to make suggestions. Otherwise, it was none of his business.”
“Ooh,” I breathed out. “What did he say?”
“He got all up in my face, telling me he was looking out for me. I told him I had just met him and to back off. Then he laughed and told me he’d see me soon and left.” She paused. “But not before he grabbed me and kissed me.”
My eyes widened and I grinned. “Oh, Bane is gonna love this.”
She gasped, her eyes going round.
“I have to tell him,” I protested.
“No!” She grabbed my hand. “When the hell did this appear?”
“Oh. Um, this morning.”
“Magnolia, it’s gorgeous!”
“It is,” I agreed. “A surprise too.” I told her how he asked, and she smiled.
“He’s so sweet under all that bluster.”
“He is.”
She turned my hand various ways, catching the light. “It suits you.”
I studied the elongated cushion cut with the pavé band. It glittered and sparkled under the lights, sending bright dots onto the walls. “I didn’t expect it.”
She stood. “I doubt he expected you.”
I had to laugh. “Probably not.”
“I have to get back. Lunch this week, right?”
“Sounds good.”
She left, and I stared at my ring.
I hadn’t expected him either.