His thumb brushes my lower lip, and chills rush up and down my arms. “I’m gonna be really honest, whether or not you’re ready to hear this. I want to be with you, Magnolia, however I can have you. You said you want to go slow and work on being friends, and I’m down with that, but I think we could be so much more together. So no, this is not just for the babies. This is because I’ve always felt a pull toward you, even when we were younger, and no one I’ve dated in those intervening years has come close to knocking me on my ass the way you do.”
I choke on a laugh. “Is that a compliment?”
He kisses my forehead. “It is. You make me crazy, but in the best way. Let’s let our lives settle in together, okay? Be friends, like we said, and see where things lead. I just need you to give me a chance. To not lock me out before we get started.”
That sounds terrifying. Letting Olly into my heart on top of everything else will be either the best thing to ever happen to me or the worst.
Please, God, let it be the best.
27
OLLY
As I wait for the coffee to percolate, I open the fridge. What the hell does this woman eat? Is she part mouse? Because all I’ve found so far is a block of cheese, some lunch meat, and a box of crackers. She knows how to cook. Her brother used to come to school with some of the stuff she’d make. Is this empty refrigerator because of money?
Someone clears her throat, and I turn to find Maggie looking adorably rumpled in a matching pink pajama set and fluffy slippers. “Morning.” She waves. She freaking waves at me.
We’re still in this awkward stage where we don’t know how to act around each other. If we were really together, I’d kiss the hell out of her, but we’re more like roommates at the moment. I’m waiting for her to relax so I can be more affectionate with her. If I could snap my fingers and send us back to where we were the night of my sister’s wedding, I would. She was so playful and sweet and sexy.
She’s sexy now, don’t get me wrong. But she’s obviously uncomfortable.
“I made some coffee. Want some?” I ask.
“Yes, please. Oh, is it decaf? I can’t have full caf.”
“Damn. I forgot. Sorry. I’ll pour this out and make you decaf.”
“Don’t do that. Coffee is expensive. Please enjoy it. I can make some herbal tea.”
“Speaking of money, I can pay rent. I talked to the housing office yesterday, and they said I can use the funds allocated for the football house to pay you. I just need you to fill out a form.”
I expect her to be happy about the news, but she frowns. “Maybe just give me half of that money and keep the rest.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because like Billy said, this place is a mess, and you’re not getting any of the amenities you had at the football house.”
Fucking Billy. “Think of it as both of us investing our money in something for the twins.”
She thinks about that a moment. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Before I forget, I grab a notepad off the counter. “I’m going to get groceries later. Why don’t you jot down whatever you want me to get?”
“I don’t need anything.”
This woman is going to kill me. “What do you plan on eating this week?”
She shrugs. “Ham and cheese on crackers. Some soup. Why?”
“You need more than that. You’re gestating two babies, Magnolia. You can’t treat yourself like a starving college student.”
“I just… I can’t pay you back right away.”
Did I not just offer to pay her rent and she was trying to return half of it? She’s making me insane.
“I don’t expect you to pay me anything. I want to get us groceries because we need them. I’m in training and burn a shit ton of calories. You’re pregnant and need to eat more than a damn Triscuit.”
“Why are you raising your voice at me? I’m doing the best I can. Half the time I can’t eat anything because it comes right back up, so what’s the point? I’ll try to eat something later, okay?” She storms off and slams her bedroom door.
