Page 178 of Stay With Me

“More than anything,” I agree. “Enough to wait.”

“I just want you both to be happy. Y’all are meant to be together. I can feel it.” She places a hand over her heart, and I nod because I feel it, too.

Magnolia needs time to process things on her own terms, and I’m not about to push her to be in a relationship while she’s struggling with the guilt of what happened. Especially after watching her go through an anxiety attack, I knew she wasn’t ready.

Even though she was a victim in the whole thing, she feels remorse for his family. Travis’s mom loves Magnolia, and they had a decent relationship throughout the years they dated.

So the day after his funeral, I took Magnolia to get some flowers and drove to his mom’s house since we didn’t attend. Ms. Boone cried when she saw the ultrasound photos and learned she’s going to be a grandma. Apparently, she and Travis had a rocky relationship, and he only came around when he needed money or a place to crash. Jade loved her son the best she could but knew it was only a matter of time before his poor decisions caught up to him. She’s obviously upset about his death, understandably so, but now she can find solace in knowing there’ll be a piece of him left behind.

And if I’m being honest, I’m happy she gets to have that, too.

Magnolia was worried about how people would react to her being pregnant with his baby after he broke into their businesses and homes. For months, they assumed I was the father, and since we never corrected them, they were shocked to learn I wasn’t. But everyone’s been respectful and kind, even showing up at her work and bringing her gifts for the baby.

Once I say goodbye to the rest of the family, I head home. I’m relieved when I see Magnolia’s SUV parked in the driveway because I missed her all night. Being around her settles the anxiety being away from her creates.

When I walk in, something feels different. The lightsare off, minus one lamp on the side table. Assuming she left it on for me and already went to bed, I tiptoe down the hall to check on her.

I open the door as quietly as I can, but it’s pitch-black and silent. She usually has a white noise machine on with lights that reflect on the ceiling.

“Sunny?” I take out my phone and turn on the flashlight.

The room is empty.

Her bed, nightstand, dresser. All the clothes that littered the floor.

Gone.

What the fuck?

Did she move out?

Her car is here, so where the hell is she?

When I go toward my room, I hear the shower running, which is odd since she has her own bathroom.

Everything in my room is the same except her dresser is now next to mine and her full-length mirror she had in a corner is now in here.

The bathroom door is ajar, so I push it open all the way and find Magnolia humming a tune in my shower.

“Sunny.”

The curtain whips open just enough to see her face and her eyes widen in surprise. “You’re home earlier than expected.”

“It’s nine-thirty,” I tell her. I’m actually home later than usual on Sunday nights.

“Is it? Shit, I lost track of time and worked up a sweat, so I wanted to rinse off before you got back. I’ll just be a minute longer.”

She closes the curtain and continues showering.

I step closer until I’m leaning against the vanity that’s now covered in her stuff and watch her silhouette move through the curtain.

“What’s going on? Are you movin’ out?”

“Um…not exactly. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“What was?”

She stays silent, but I can’t take not knowing. Without thinking, I whip the curtain open. Once I see her wet body, I realize what a mistake this was.