Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
BOWEN
When I pulled into work the next morning, Magnolia’s car was already there.
Nerves coiled in my stomach. Thankfully, I’d been given enough notice about working at a different site yesterday, that I’d had time to make arrangements.
Arrangements that had hopefully kept Topher from making trouble.
But with a guy like him, nothing was guaranteed.
He was waiting for me—what’s-the-password-style—arms blocking the doorway. “Did you harass Magnolia this morning?” It came out a touch threatening.
Fear flashed in his eyes before he narrowed them.
“No, that obviously doesn’t work with her.
But you lied. You two aren’t a couple.” Had she told him that?
“I checked both of your socials. You haven’t posted anything together.
As a matter of fact, it looks like your cousin is the one dating her.
” Freaking Liam. “My dad says I only have to stay away from her if she’s with a Dupree.
And since we both know lover boy will be with someone else by this weekend, she’s fair game again. ”
Just then, Magnolia came up the hall, behind Topher.
My heart sped up, so happy to see her—which just shows how whipped I was.
I should not be excited after the way she shot me down on Saturday.
Had my letter softened her at all? She leaned against the wall, expression blank, watching to see how this was going to play out.
I pretended not to see her and chuckled, belying the twist in my gut at having to deal with Topher’s nonsense so early in the morning. “Liam and Magnolia were just being funny, trying to get under my skin. Teasing me. You know how cousins are.”
“No, I don’t,” he barked. “I hate my cousins. They’re pompous brats who always have to get their way.”
I bit back the words must run in the family and cocked an eyebrow. “So you’re saying you don’t want backstage passes to Ford’s next concert for you and three of your friends?”
He snorted. “Why would I care about that old fogey?” Old fogey? “His music is ancient.” There was a hitch in his voice that sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
I quirked an eyebrow. “I think you might be the only person in America who feels that way. Ford’s new album has been number one on the Billboard charts for fifty weeks straight now.
” Topher’s eyes widened like he was rethinking it.
“C’mon.” I grinned. “You know you belt 'Love Like a Wildfire' at the top of your lungs whenever it comes on. You were lightning in the summer, I was dry July,” I sang.
Magnolia bit back a smile. “We burned down everything—”
“Not hardly,” Topher snapped. “It’s twangy and grating.
” I opened my mouth to bargain with tickets to Cash’s next concert, or one of Liam’s football games, but he cut me off.
“I’m not taking your bribes. My buddies and I discussed it and we don’t want your charity.
Magnolia is the real prize.” My teeth ground together at the way he talked about her like she was property.
“And if she’s really your girlfriend, you wouldn’t need to bribe me to stay away. ”
I’d tried to be nice but I was done. My fists curled as I took a step toward him.
At that moment, Magnolia ducked under Topher’s extended arm. He stumbled backward.
“Hey, you,” she murmured, pushing up on her tiptoes, getting right in my face, blocking Topher from my view. She widened her eyes like be chill.
I gazed into her green eyes for a few breaths, stomach relaxing with her so close.
Peace infused my bloodstream, same as always.
Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, showing off her cheekbones.
Her freckles were particularly adorable this morning.
Her long lashes fluttered against the tops of her cheeks.
“Missed you yesterday.” She kissed the tip of my nose, making my head spin.
She rocked back on her heels and reached for my hands, intertwining our fingers.
Warmth spread like sunlight, up my arms, settling low in my gut.
“Are you still mad about Liam?” she murmured, but I couldn’t answer.
I’d forgotten how to speak. How to work my muscles.
She let go of my hands and ran her palms up and over my shoulders, lacing them behind my neck.
She smirked a little when my breath hitched. “You know, we were only kidding.”
Finally, I got myself to move. I slipped my hands over her waist and pulled her into a hug, my body folding around her.
Oh man, this was…more than I deserved. Way more.
“I know.” I put my mouth next to her ear.
“Don’t let it happen again,” I growled. She tilted into me, letting out an adorable moan.
I smoothed her hair and pressed a long, gentle kiss to her temple.
She buried her face in my neck like she really had missed me.
Topher’s face was hot. From humiliation or irritation, I wasn’t sure, and I didn’t care. I flicked my brows up and grinned.
He huffed and stormed away.
When he was around the corner, I let the hug linger a little longer, then I reluctantly let go. “Okay, he’s gone.”
Magnolia took a step back, her eyes turned down with worry. “Only two more weeks and it’s over.” All I heard was, only two more weeks to convince her I wasn’t going to hurt her again.
She whirled on her heel and walked inside. Luckily, I was right behind her, because just then Topher popped his head around the corner, trying to catch us in the act of not being a couple. My hand fumbled, finding hers in an instant. She squeezed and turned to smile at me, smooth and believable.
He disappeared again. But he’d probably return. I motioned for her to step into exam room three.
“Hey!” Topher ran up the hall and peered in. “You said anyone in there has to wear a hard hat.”
I smiled, resting my cheek against her hair. “She has special girlfriend privileges.”
Topher pointed two fingers at us, then at his eyes, then back at us, saying I’m watching you. He disappeared again.
I heard Magnolia let out a little exhale, and though her hand stayed in mine, she loosened her grip. “Maybe I should file a formal complaint,” she whispered. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“It’s past ridiculous. Whatever you want to do, I’ve got your back.”
She squeezed her eyes shut for a second. “No, I just want to finish. Are you okay keeping up this charade?”
Um, definitely. “Yes,” I said calmly, but in my head I was jumping up for joy.
“Thanks, Bowen.” I thought she’d leave, but she eyed the door, probably waiting for Topher to appear again. Her thumb ran over my stitches. “Oh.” She flipped my palm over. “We need to take those out.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, if you have a minute. I can do it super fast.”
Two minutes later, we were in exam room four, door closed. Her gloved hands worked with precision, patting my scar with antiseptic.
“Well, that’s good,” I said. “It doesn’t hurt when you clean it anymore.”
“That’s because it’s healed.” She set the wipe down and picked up a pair of tweezers in one hand, scissors in the other. “So,” she said, voice tight. “I was thinking…” Her hands were trembling nervously. “Maybe we could go on a date.” YES. “As friends,” she amended.
“Friends?” I asked evenly. Truth be told, it was more than I’d expected. Definitely more than I deserved.
“At least at first.” She was whipping me around like a yo-yo…but I’d take it. Any time spent with Magnolia was better than time spent without.
“Okay,” I said, in a neutral tone, belying my excitement.
She dropped a couple of stitches onto a piece of gauze and went back for more. “Maybe…” Another tug. “We could go to the movies with Cash and Charlie? The new Pixar movie just came out. Or…” She peeked up at me nervously. “We could see the latest Marvel movie?”
I’d already seen the Marvel movie with Theo, but I would take it to my grave. What Magnolia wanted, Magnolia got.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “I’m good with either. You choose.”
“Pixar?” she asked timidly.
“I’d love that. Do you want me to set it up? Tomorrow night?” I knew the clinic closed early on Tuesdays. “Or Friday?”
Finished, she set the tools down and peeled off her gloves. “Tomorrow is great.” She threw them in the trash and checked the time on her watch. “I gotta run. Will you be around today?” She was worried about Topher.
“All day,” I said. “Just let me know if you need me, and I’ll try to keep an ear open, too.”
She exhaled, relieved. “Thank you.” She stopped at the door and turned back. “And thank you for the picture,” she said softly. “And the letter.”
“You’re welcome.” I flexed my hand for the first time since we’d run into each other my first day here. “I should’ve done it a long time ago.”
She smiled and disappeared into the hall.
Veins alive with adrenaline, I pulled out my phone and sent a group text to Cash and Charlie.
Please, please tell me you’re not busy tomorrow night. Magnolia agreed to go on a ‘friend’ date as long as you both come along.
Charlie set a record, she responded so fast.
Chuck
We are available!
Cash
BABE. I already promised Theo I’d help him paint since James and Sage are heading off on their babymoon.
Chuck
The painting will wait. I promise to make it up to you.
Cash
COUNT US IN.