The Magnolia Sisters

by Michelle Major

  Stupid, stupid woman.

  She lifted her hand in a lame wave as he approached, trying to act cool and nonchalant, like she hadn’t been waiting for him.

  “You didn’t run and hide,” he said when he reached her chair.

  She sniffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  One side of his mouth kicked up. “Thank you for the gifts,” he said, his voice pitched low.

  “Sure.” She made a point to ignore the way her body reacted to his tone. The way she went hot all over despite the break in the weather that had led to tonight’s cooler temperatures. “Not a big deal.”

  “My mom thought the massager was a sex toy.”

  “Oh, no.” Avery felt her eyes go wide. “You didn’t tell her it was from me?”

  His grin widened. “I’m not discussing sex toys with my mother.”

  She stood up, nerves making her body feel electric. “It wasn’t a sex toy.”

  He studied her a long moment, and she felt color rise to her cheeks. Damn the man. “I’d much rather have you than a sex toy anyway.”

  His voice scraped against her insides like sandpaper, leaving prickly heat in its wake. Standing had been a mistake, putting her toe to toe with him, close enough to see the flecks of gold in his eyes. His minty breath tickled her cheek. One easy sway and she’d be pressed against him. Her whole body screamed to be pressed against him.

  “You’re injured,” she told him as if he weren’t aware of the fact.

  “I’m fine.”

  “How many times have you said that this week?”

  “Enough.”

  “Does anyone believe you?”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be nice to people in recovery?”

  Without thinking, she reached up and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Does that make it better?”

  He hummed into her mouth. “You have no idea. But that’s not where it hurts the most.”

  She laughed, pleasure spiraling through her at his silly flirting. “You should talk to your doctor about that.”

  “My doctor’s more interested in you than me.”

  “Is it my fault I’m irresistible?”

  He pulled back a few inches, his gaze intense on hers. “Are you going on a date with the doctor?”

  Avery bit back a laugh. How could he think for a minute that was a possibility? Thoughts of Gray filled her mind at every turn. Although, the smart choice would be to stay away, sometimes a connection couldn’t be denied.

  “No,” she said, deciding against a coy response or a joke to lighten the moment. She could see the vulnerability in his gaze, and she wanted him to know her heart. Just for now. “You’re the only guy I want to be with.”

  “I noticed you didn’t use the word date,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

  “Dating feels complicated. I’ve got a lot of complications in my life already.”

  “I’m a simple man.” He smoothed a hand over her cheek. “We don’t have to make this difficult, but I won’t hide what’s between us.”

  She swallowed at the ferocity of his words. “Okay,” she answered finally. “But I need to take things slow, Gray. I wasn’t planning on any of this.”

  “Slow works for me.” He leaned in again and brushed his lips across hers, with the obvious intention to go slow.

  As heat pulsed through her body, she leaned into him. He deepened the kiss, pressing his open palm to the back of her neck like he wanted her with the same ferocity she felt. Emotion and need rose like a wave inside her. After a few minutes, she tore away, trying to gain control but understanding it was probably a losing battle.

  Gray took her hand and drew her toward the house. “I have a feeling we’ll work even better inside.”

  “Where’s Violet?” she asked. No way would she take the chance on the girl finding the two of them together.

  Gray’s fingers tightened on hers. “She’s staying with my mom tonight. I might have overdone things at work.”

  Avery tugged them to a stop. “What does that mean?” She spread her fingers across his chest. “Are you having trouble breathing? Do you need to see a doctor? To rest? To lie down?”

  He flashed a sheepish grin. “I’m fine. A little worn-out is all. My mom wanted to take Violet to a movie anyway, so it made sense that she’d spend the night, too. Of your choices, I’ll take ‘lie down.’” His slow wink made her heart clench and other parts of her body break out in a happy dance. “Preferably with you on top of me.”

  “I should go home.”

  “You are home.”

  She gestured to the carriage house, ignoring the deep feeling of satisfaction that zipped through her at the thought of this being her home. “We both know what I mean.”

  “I do,” he conceded. “But I don’t like it. Stay with me. If it makes you feel better, slow might be the only speed I have going at the moment.” He paused, then added, “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

  “Yeah,” she breathed without thinking. That was the heart of it for her, as well. Being alone had felt normal in her old life. Magnolia made her want more.

  And wanting more meant wanting Gray.

  “I can take care of you,” she offered, then blushed at the silly offer. “I know you don’t need it. You don’t need me. But I want to help you.”

  “I’d love to accept.” His voice grew serious. “Based on our recent history, I’m afraid that means you’ll push me away on the other end of whatever happens tonight. Don’t push me away, Avery.”

  “I’m sorry.” She pressed her lips together, unsure of how to explain all of her doubts and how they manifested. “I have trouble trusting things that make me happy.”

  “I make you happy?”

  “You do.” Her stomach did flip-flops at the admission. The last man she’d let in had almost broken her. Certainly her heart had suffered some significant damage. Gray was nothing like her ex-boyfriend, but that scared her even more. Her feelings had the potential to leave her emotionally eviscerated. She knew the likelihood of system breakdowns and losses better than most people, which was why she kept her heart closely guarded and probably the reason she’d gotten involved with Tony. His rigid boundaries felt safe to her. She’d thought they were alike in all the ways that counted. Of course, the truth had turned out to be both different and devastating.

  Gray wasn’t simple but her feelings for him were straightforward. That didn’t make them any less terrifying.

  “You’re getting that look in your eyes,” he said. “The one that tells me you’re thinking about lacing up your running shoes. And we haven’t even done anything yet.”

  “I’m thinking about it.” She blew out a breath. “I’m trying something new here that involves letting myself feel what I’m feeling instead of pushing it away.”

  “And you feel like bolting?”

  “I feel scared of the possibility of being hurt. Of not being enough or wanting too much or how my heart is going to break when it’s over between us.”

  “You maybe want to give us a chance to start before you end things.”

  She held on to the idea, twirling it in her mind like a kaleidoscope with the two of them as the reflecting surfaces tilting toward each other. If she kept her focus on the darkness, that was what she saw. But when she lifted her inner gaze to the light, the world in front of her exploded in colors and shapes, falling over each other as the patterns changed and repeated.

  “I think I’d like to try that,” she said softly.

  “Good.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a gentle hug. “I’d like it, too.”

  They stood together for several moments and the intimacy of the moment, surrounded by birdsong and the rustle of the evening breeze felt more intense than anything she’d experienced. Yes, her heart might break at the end of this but she
understood it could also be worth the risk.

  Then her stomach growled. Not a cute little rumble but an obnoxious bellow. The kind a teenage boy would be proud to claim.

  Gray chuckled and released her. “You need food.”

  “I was too nervous to eat,” she said with a nod. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want anything to do with me after what a coward I’ve been this week.”

  He held one finger to her lips. “You aren’t a coward, and we’ve established that you’re entitled to your feelings, in whatever form they take. But we should think about dinner.” He tapped his free hand to the scrape on his forehead. “Luckily for you, not everyone in a small town brings get-well gifts in the form of sex toys. Most deliver casseroles.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “And blueberry cobbler.”

  “I love cobbler.” Like the flutter of butterfly wings the realization flitted across her heart that she might also love this man. She immediately rejected it. Feelings were one thing but falling in love in the span of a few weeks... Well, that would just be madness.

  Stick to casserole and cobbler, she reminded herself. The present moment. Everything else would work itself out.

  At least that was what she hoped.

  * * *

  GRAY KNOCKED ON the front door of his ex-wife’s condo in a posh section of Raleigh a week later. He hadn’t planned to have this conversation with her but his time with Avery had given him a new perspective on his future.

  True to her word, she hadn’t run away again. He knew there were moments when she wanted to. Her gaze would shutter and her shoulders grow stiff. She had the nervous habit of tugging her bottom lip between her teeth in worry, an adorable tell he’d come to recognize.

  She still wouldn’t reveal much about her past or why she struggled with emotional intimacy, but he was a patient man. And she stayed. He tried to give her the space she needed, to allow her to set the pace.

  It was easy to include her in his and Violet’s routine. She’d only spent the night with him that first night when his daughter had been at her grandma’s. He’d been exhausted enough that he’d fallen asleep shortly after dinner but had woken in the middle of the night to find Avery curled against him, still in her T-shirt and jeans.

  The idea that she hadn’t left even though he’d been pathetic company warmed his heart more than he cared to admit. He’d taken great pleasure in peeling off her clothes, ignoring her protests that he needed more rest. He needed her and had relished proving that she was the best medicine he could imagine.

  As amazing as being with her again had been, he enjoyed the small moments when they were hanging out just as much. Violet had warmed to her and loved taking care of Spot. She still enjoyed giving Avery sass, and Avery seemed to love responding in kind. He didn’t exactly understand the dynamic of their relationship but it worked for the two of them, so he wasn’t going to question it.

  Now that she’d opened herself to the possibility, Avery was quickly becoming part of the Magnolia community. Her motives for helping to chart Magnolia’s future remained unclear. A few of the old-timers seemed to believe she and her sisters were besmirching Niall’s name by minimizing his ongoing impact in town. Gray could see, like many others, that their initial efforts at reinvigorating the downtown business district offered Magnolia its best chance at revitalization.

  He wanted it to work, not just for the community, but so that Avery could see she belonged there. She insisted they keep their burgeoning relationship quiet in town. She had no problem being seen with him and had even offered to take Violet to her dance class. That was as much as she was willing to give, and he couldn’t find it in himself to push her for more. Not when it meant he could drive her away instead. Maybe he was being stupid. It wouldn’t be the first time. And he knew Violet’s attachment to Avery could lead to issues if things didn’t work out.

  For all of Gray’s pragmatism at the fire station, he was both an optimist and a romantic at heart. Avery fit with him on a soul-deep level and he couldn’t stop himself from believing that would be enough to see them through whatever came next.

  Stacy opened the door and immediately stepped outside, shutting it behind her.

  “Aw, hell,” Gray muttered under his breath. “You’re not alone.”

  “You should have called first,” she said with a sniff.

  “It will only take a minute.”

  “Where’s Violet?” She looked around him toward his truck parked at the curb.

  “She’s at a birthday party.”

  “So then why are you here?”

  “I want full custody,” he blurted. His attorney would go apoplectic when he found out Gray had gone directly to Stacy with the request. But the truth was it would be a long shot to have a modification ruling in their favor without her agreement. Stacy was neglectful but not in a way that would persuade a judge. Gray knew how charming his ex-wife could be when she wanted to be. His accident had also reminded him she’d have a reason to fight his petition if she chose to go that route. He’d loved her once and still believed that she’d loved him in her own way.

  Certainly he could convince her to see his side on this. It would benefit Violet most of all.

  “Absolutely not,” she said in a hiss of breath. “Have you lost your mind? She’s my daughter.” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I’m her mother.”

  “I know,” he said gently.

  “This is about that woman,” she said, her gaze turning obstinate. “The hoochie you’re shacking up with.”

  Gray felt his blood turn cold. “Stace, don’t do this.”

  “You don’t get to have it all.” She spit out the words like poison. “All I hear about lately is that woman and her braiding and her dog.” The emotion from moments earlier had disappeared like a puff of smoke, vaporizing so fast he wondered if he’d imagined it. Or maybe it had just been manufactured, like her affection for him through most of their relationship. She’d suck him in when she needed something, then freeze him out when he didn’t live up to her arbitrary standards.

  “Avery isn’t living with me, and she cares about Violet.” He kept his tone measured. Stacy loved to push him for a reaction, and he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of it. Too much was on the line.

  “I thought you’d sworn off dating.” She pointed a finger at him. “You love telling me how Violet’s your priority.”

  “That hasn’t changed.” He blew out a breath. How had this conversation gotten off track so quickly? He should have expected it with his ex-wife. Stacy was a master at manipulation, and when things didn’t go her way, she’d argue circles around him.

  “I can’t believe you’d suggest that I give you full custody of our daughter.”

  “Come on, Stacy.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You know this is best.”

  “Tell me all about your whacked out logic for this.”

  “I wouldn’t call it that,” he said through gritted teeth. “I’ve thought about this. I’m not trying to push you out of her life. I’d never do that. But she needs stability.”

  “You think I don’t give that to her?” Stacy’s tone had turned pouty.

  “I think you have a lot going on. Your practice is growing so your hours are crazy and you travel a ton to speaking engagements and conferences. More times than not you can’t take her on your scheduled days. I know you don’t mean it as a rejection, but it hurts her just the same.”

  “Do you want alimony?” Her eyes widened. “Is that your intent? You know how hard I’ve worked. We agreed in the divorce that the sweat equity and support you gave me in building the practice wouldn’t factor going forward. It’s mine, Gray.”

  “Of course,” he agreed, pulling in a deep breath. He had to keep a hold on his temper and patience. He wouldn’t get anywhere by blowing up. “I don’t want to take anything from you.”

  “You want my daughter.”
>
  “She stays with me almost all the time. Nothing about the current arrangement will change other than making it formal.”

  “But then I won’t have options. What happens if I want more time?”

  “I’ll give you as much time with her as you want. We’ll work it out. But she needs more consistency, Stace. No more of you missing scheduled nights or weekends with her.”

  “I can’t help my schedule,” she muttered. “It’s not my fault that things get out of hand sometimes. I still love her.”

  “I never said you didn’t.” He shook his head. “Consider the request, please. If we can work this out on our own, Violet benefits. The outcome will be better if we agree before my attorney files a motion.”

  “You won’t win in court.”

  “I won’t give up,” he countered softly. He couldn’t. Not when so much was at stake.

  They both shifted their attention to the front door as it opened. A man stood there—shirtless—glaring at Gray. “Everything okay, babe?” he asked Stacy.

  “Give me a minute,” she told him.

  “Your smoothie is waiting.”

  “A minute,” she repeated. With an eye roll, he closed the door.

  “New boyfriend?” Gray lifted a brow. “Nice chest.”

  “Shut up. I have to go to a conference this week in San Diego. I’ll think about your little bomb and we can talk next week.”

  Gray started to nod in agreement, then paused. “Wait. This week? How long have you known? Violet has her dance recital this coming Saturday. She expects both of us to be there.”

  “Video it for me,” Stacy said, waving her hand. “Don’t give me a hard time. I’m a single mom. Things are going to come up. I told you about this weeks ago.”

  He set his jaw but kept his mouth shut. She hadn’t mentioned a trip and had to know how important the recital was to their daughter.

  Finally, he asked, “Does Violet know?”