She’s still moving forward though and slams against my chest.
“Sheesh. Have you ever considered not working out?The number of times I’ve been bruised by your chest—” She stops abruptly when her eyes meet mine.
“You were right,” I say.
“I usually am, but if you could wait a second, I’ll grab my phone to record that.” She reaches around as though she’s going to pull her phone from her pocket.
I plant my hands on either side of her face and lean in. “I do feel something for you. It’s not fake.”
Her jaw drops a little. “What’s not fake?”
“How I act toward you.”
She visibly swallows. “You tried to get rid of me.”
“For you. I didn’t want to be the one getting in the way of what you wanted. I felt like asking you to keep faking it with me was selfish. I wanted to keep you for me, not for Grandpa anymore.”
Her eyebrows slowly rise with my words. “You know, even knowing the entire situation, it still sounds strange, coming out of your mouth.”
“I’m falling for you, Magnolia. I love that you live life to the fullest. I love that you don’t follow other people’s rules. You manage to make even the worst situations bearable, and I know I don’t deserve you, especially after everything I’ve put you through in the short time I’ve known you…but if there’s even a smidgen of interest from you…I’d like a shot.”
A myriad of emotions flits across her face, and then she slowly nods. “Okay.”
I have the overwhelming urge to laugh. A simple okay has never sounded so good.
“I know you’re scared to get involved in another relationship. But I promise you this: If I’m ever with you just for the money, I’ll tell you.” A cheeky grin spreads acrossher face, and she reaches for me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Does this mean we’re official?”
“Oh, I hope so,” my mom interjects. She’s standing next to a picnic table, looking on with a big grin.
“Mom, I thought you were going to go look at the house,” I grind out.
“This was way more interesting,” Mom replies as Magnolia fights to hold in a laugh.
“Mom, go away. I want to kiss Miss Magnolia,” I say, using her nickname.
Magnolia’s smile deepens, and she steps closer, tilting her lips up to meet mine.
Kissing her is as good as I imagined, and I have an excellent imagination. Everything I feel for Magnolia outshines any past relationship. It’s not even a close competition. She fills a part of me that I didn’t even realize was empty. Loving her is like coming home and going on an adventure at the same time.
Because that’s what it is. I love this woman. I’m not a romantic, but with her in my arms, I think all the world’s problems have melted away.
She sighs and tips her head so that I can deepen the kiss.
The attraction I’ve felt for her has been impossible to ignore. I’ve tried to hide it every time I look at her. I was sure she would call me out on it sometime. Instead, it seems as though she feels as strongly for me too. Thank goodness people can communicate with more than just words, because I know if I told her the truth, she would run for the hills.
If I told her I fell in love with her at first sight, she’d smack me on the side of the head and never speak to me again. So I do my best to show her how much I love her with a kiss.
CHAPTER 32
Magnolia
I’m notsure how long we stand there, locked in each other’s arms. But I can finally admit to myself that Nash feels something for me. I just hope it’s more than lust.
I pull back and look him in the eye. It’s absolutely unfair that he’s so good-looking. He can take my breath away just looking at him…but now? After kissing him? I’m especially a lost cause.
“What are we doing?” I manage to ask. I glance around to make sure Natalie is actually gone this time. She is, thank goodness. How awkward to kiss her son in front of her on the same day I met her?
“We’re kissing,” Nash says firmly as he leans down to press his lips against mine again. I sigh and lean into him again.
