Chapter 22
Magnolia
We get home late, both of us full and tired and content in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
In fact I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this content.
My family wasn’t as close as the Harrison’s, and even when we were slightly close, it never felt as comfortable as today is.
Levi puts on some random show, a rerun playing on one of the channels on the Peacock streaming app, and we collapse on the couch, our bodies naturally gravitating toward each other.
I’m not sure when I fall asleep, but when I wake up, the TV is still playing softly, and Levi’s arm is around me, my head resting on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat, steady and strong, and I let myself have this moment. This perfect, peaceful moment.
I must move, because Levi stirs, his arm tightening around me.
“Sorry,” I murmur. “Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“You didn’t.” His voice is rough with sleep, doing absolutely unfair things to my insides. “What time is it?”
I check my phone. “Almost three in the morning.”
“Damn. We’ve been out for a while.”
“Yeah.”
We should get up and go to bed for real, but neither of us moves. The space between us is charged, like if one of us shifts even slightly this tenuous relationship with each other will either break open completely, or crumble. I’m scared to move because I’m afraid of it crumbling..
“Magnolia,” Levi says quietly.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
My throat gets tight, and I have to blink back tears. “Me too.”
“I know things are complicated, and I know you’re still dealing with Cody’s bullshit, but I want you to know…”
I sit up, turning to face him. “What?”
His eyes are so dark in the low light, and there’s an intensity in them that makes it hard to breathe. “I want you to know that I’m here for whatever you need. However long you need it. No expectations, no pressure. Just…I’m here.”
Before I can stop myself, I’m leaning in, pressing my lips to his.
He makes a sound in the back of his throat, his hand coming up to cup the back of my head, and then he’s kissing me back. The kiss gets out of control quickly. It’s deeper and hungrier than normal.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“Magnolia…”
“Don’t,” I say. “Don’t make me overthink this. Please.”
We end up sleeping on the couch, tangled together, and when I wake up in the morning light, I realize last night was a turning point. Maybe it’s because we slept on the couch together, maybe it’s because I spent the holiday with his family.
I’m not completely sure what it is, but I feel different.
I’m happy.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I’m genuinely, deeply happy.
Levi’s eyes open, finding mine, and he smiles. “Morning.”
“Morning.” I can’t help but smile back.
“You’re smiling” he observes.
“I am,” I admit. “Is that okay?”
He pulls me closer, pressing a kiss to my forehead, his nose smearing across my skin. It’s the type of touch that a couple who’ve known each other for a long time experience. “It’s more than okay, Magnolia Grace. It’s everything.”
We’re lying there, wrapped up in each other, when my phone buzzes. I reach for it, and my good mood evaporates when I see Shelby’s name.
Shelby: Need you to come into the office ASAP. Something’s come up.
“Shit,” I mutter.
“What’s wrong?”
I show him the text. “My lawyer.”
“Want me to take you?”
“No,” I say automatically. Then, seeing the hurt flash across his face, I think differently. What if Cody is there? What if I’m not strong enough to handle him on my own? “Actually…yeah. Yeah, I’d like that.”
We drag ourselves off the couch, and go get dressed. I take off my makeup from yesterday and try to make it look like I didn’t sleep on the couch wrapped in the arms of a man who isn’t my husband last night.
The drive to Shelby’s office is quiet, Levi’s hand resting on my thigh, his thumb rubbing gentle circles that somehow keep me from completely spiraling.
When we arrive, I’m surprised to see Sullivan’s police cruiser parked outside. He’s Shelby’s husband and an officer with Laurel Springs PD.
“That’s weird,” I mention, glancing over at Levi.
Levi notices too, his expression going cop-serious. “Let me come in with you.”
“You don’t have to,” I try to smooth everything over.
“Magnolia Grace, I’m coming in with you.”
There’s no arguing with that tone, so I don’t try.
Sullivan meets us in the lobby, pulling Levi aside immediately. “Harrison. Got a minute?”
Levi looks at me, and I nod. “Go ahead. I’ll be with Shelby.”
I watch them walk away, Levi’s shoulders tense, before I head into Shelby’s office.
She looks tired, her usual put-together appearance slightly rumpled.
“Magnolia, sit down.”
I do, my heart pounding. “What’s going on?”
“Cody’s attorney served us yesterday, on Thanksgiving like the piece of shit he is.
He’s questioning your financial situation, demanding access to all your accounts.
” She stops for a moment, and I know I don’t want to hear what’s coming next.
“Including the new ones you just opened. He also wants to know where you’ve been. ”
My stomach drops. “How did he know about those?”
“I don’t know, but he knows.” She slides some papers across the desk. “He’s alleging you’re hiding assets, that you’re deliberately trying to avoid a fair division of property.”
“That’s insane! He’s the one who drained everything!”
“I know, honey. And we’re going to fight this. But I wanted to give you a heads up, this could get ugly. He’s clearly watching you closely, tracking your movements, your finances. You need to be careful.”
“What do I do?” I question, because I thought I’d been good. I’d been letting him do his own thing while I tried to live the life I have left.
“You let me handle this. You don’t respond to him, you don’t engage, you keep detailed records of everything. And Magnolia?” She leans forward, her expression serious. “Be careful. If he’s this obsessed with tracking your finances, who knows what else he’s keeping tabs on.”
When I leave her office, I’m shaky. Out of everything, I didn’t expect this. Levi’s waiting for me, his expression dark.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah. Can we just…can we go eat? At The Café or something? I need to clear my head.”
“Of course.”
As we walk to his truck, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s watching. When I glance back, I see nothing.
But the chill down my spine and deep in my body doesn’t go away.