Page 136 of Here With Me

She grins at me with a brow arched as she looks back and forth between Fisher and me. I know what she’s thinking, but she’s wrong. Fisher and I can’t be anything more than friends, and if I’ve accepted it, then so does she.

“I have your meds, a fresh ice pack, and I downloaded a new monster smut to your app. You’re welcome.” Magnolia puts everything on my nightstand while Fisher elevates my foot.

“How dare you not bring me my rose vibrator with the smut!” I mock.

“I was trynna be discreet, but fine, here ya go.” She pulls it out of her bra and sets it on top of my Kindle.”

I cackle, then immediately wince at the tightness it causes in my chest and side. “No more makin’ me laugh.”

Fisher eyes the toy, then me, and I look away. Not like I could actually use it in my condition and was only joking. I didn’t think Magnolia would really bring it out here from my shower.

“I’m gonna go check on dinner.” Fisher walks away, leaving Magnolia and me alone.

“That man is a goner for ya...” She shakes her head at me as if the breakup was my decision. “Shoulda heard Gramma Grace when you were knocked out. She knows about y’all.”

“How?”

“She said somethin’ about it being how he looks at you and how worried he is cements that she’s right. Your parents weren’t around, but I acted clueless, and she smirked like she knew I was playin’ dumb.”

“Well, she can join the club and be disappointed when she learns it’s over.”

“I know that’s what y’all think has to happen, but I think Jase could handle it. He might be mad for a bit, but I don’t see him wantin’ to get in the way of your happiness.”

“Two weeks ago, he got into a fistfight with my brothers when he thought I was seein’ someone,” I remind her.

“Yes, and then he apologized and said he wanted to befriends.”

“It’s not my decision. Fisher has to be the one to tell him. He’s the one who’d be riskin’ their relationship and I can’t ask him to do that knowin’ everythin’ he’s gone through to get back in his life.”

“I can ask him.” She stands, but I quickly grab her wrist and pull her back down.

She laughs when I scold her. “If it’s meant to be, we’ll find a way. Otherwise, I’d like to get over the heartbreak and move on.”

She hitches a thumb over her shoulder toward my bedroom door. “With Mr. Tall, Dark, and Rugged in your kitchen makin’ you a feast? Good luck, bestie. You have more willpower than I do. I’d be on my knees, beggin’ him topick me, choose me, love me.”

Her mimicking aGrey’s Anatomyquote has me laughing, and I scowl at her for making my ribs hurt again.

“Sorry, I can’t help it. I’m justnaturallywitty.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“If ya don’t need anythin’ else from me, I’ll go and let y’all have yourLady and the Trampmoment while he feeds you pasta.” She waggles her brows as she gets to her feet.

“I can eat on my own, thank you very much.”

“And I can sing like a pro, but I’d still let Justin Bieber give me singin’ lessons if it meant I got to spend time with him.Preferably naked.” The corner of her lips tilts up deviously as she walks toward the door.

“Go away, home-wrecker.”

“Team Selena!” she shouts as she walks down the hallway.

“Do I even wanna know what that was about?” Fisher asks, setting a large serving tray on my bed.

“Just Magnolia...being Magnolia.” I dig my palms into the mattress and use all my strength to push up so I can sit. “What’d you make?”

“Parmesan chicken bowtie with garlic toast.”

“Damn, that sounds so good.”