Ben nods thoughtfully. “That’s a solid plan. You’ll get beefed up again over the summer once you’re healed and back on the field.”
I give him a look. “You saying I’m out of shape?”
“No, darling, I’m not,” he teases. “Your ass looks great in those jeans.”
I bat my eyelashes at him. “Doesn’t it?”
Sienna giggles and wraps her fiancé in a hug. Lily hops off the couch and runs toward her dad, who picks her up and covers her in kisses.
I’m nowhere near the point of being able to afford a family of my own, but someday I want what Ben and Sienna have. I foolishly thought Amelia might be the girl for me, but I was looking at her through rose-colored glasses. I’ve since learned I shouldn’t confuse sex with love.
That night, I toss and turn as I debate what to do about Magnolia. If her credit card was declined and she gave me the cash from her babysitting gig, what does that leave her with?
I don’t have much to give her, but maybe I can find someone who can help. Without her knowing, of course.
Because if she thinks I’m behind any kind of gift, she’ll never accept the assistance.
Stubborn woman.
4
OLLY
“Why am I doing this again?” my roommate Johnny whispers from behind an overgrown bush.
“Because I asked you to.”
He squints at me. “You’re really not gonna tell me what’s going on?” I glare at him, and he holds up a hand. “Don’t Hulk out. I told you I’d do it, and I will. Which house?”
It’s possible he’ll screw this up, but I don’t feel like I have other options. “That one over there.” I point to the bungalow across the street from Magnolia’s. Twenty minutes ago, a woman pulled into the driveway, and she and a man went inside. There are kids’ toys on the porch, so I figure a family might live there. Maybe Magnolia knows them.
“And you want me to say what again?” he asks as he hefts the box of groceries higher.
Jesus Christ. “Pay attention this time. Tell the lady or whoever answers the door to take those to Maggie’s house. Explain how she needs to pretend that she got an extra delivery of groceries she doesn’t need, so she thought she’d see if any of her neighbors could use them. Offer the woman a pair of tickets to a game next fall, if she’s on the fence. The most important thing is Maggie can’t know the food is from us.”
“And you think Maggie is gonna believe all that? She’s a sharp chick.”
I shrug. “She might not, but I want to try.”
I’m staring at Magnolia’s door, wondering what the hell is going on with her, wondering if her family is okay, when I feel Johnny watching me. “Ah, I get it.” He pats me on the back so hard, I almost fall over.
“Get what?”
“You like her, and this is your weird, socially deficient way of telling her.”
“I don’t like her. Half the time, I can’t stand to be around her. But…” I don’t know how to explain it. How she gets under my skin. How I can’t decide if I’m coming or going when I’m with her. How I’m tired of worrying about her. “I feel like I owe her, okay?”
I blame that dumbass Luke. If I hadn’t gotten involved, Maggie wouldn’t hate me now. The kicker is Luke didn’t deserve my help. He turned around and cheated on his new girlfriend just before we left for college.
“Whatever, bro. I’m just happy you’re not still moping over Amelia. Be right back.”
I never moped over Amelia exactly. Mostly I was pissed I’d wasted my time.
He jogs over to Maggie’s neighbor’s house, and my heart hammers in my throat as the door opens. Johnny starts talking and points across the street. The woman nods back and smiles, which is promising.
A few minutes later, my roommate hands her the box of groceries and heads back to our bush on the corner. “She said it’s no problem. Said she’d go over after she’s done making dinner.”
“You told her what to say? How she shouldn’t make Magnolia feel like a charity case? Because she’d hate that.”
