Page 27 of Stay With Me

“Yeah.” Instead of elaborating, I abruptly pull back and get to my feet. I’ve already humiliated myself and now have to ask Shannon to bring me a new shirt. The last thing I should be doing is letting Magnolia get too close.

She stands, adjusting her jeans and top while avoiding my gaze. I can’t even blame her. For so long, I kept her at arm’s length but was always tempted to take that leap. Losing Billy was a level of grief that consumed me for so long. I know I could never survive that type of pain again. Getting involved with Magnolia would be a risk that’d affect everyone. Not just my heart but my sister and how weaved into our lives she is. If I fucked up or she went back to Travis at some point, I’d never be able to escape her.

It’d be worse than losing my best friend because she’d still be around, taunting my broken heart and reminding me of the guilt I already harbored.

But there’s a part of me that thinks the risk could be worth it…

If only I’d be brave enough to take the leap.

Chapter Six

Magnolia

“How’s my favorite farrier?” I smile wide at Fisher when he walks up to the counter. I haven’t seen him since the tux fitting two weeks ago. He stopped in after Tripp’s turn to sign some paperwork and see how everything was going.

He smirks, pulling out his wallet from his back pocket. “I’m the only farrier you know.”

“Perhaps but even so.” I shrug. “What’re you doin’ in town?”

On Fridays, I park downtown and grab the early morning crowd, then stay through the afternoon for the after-work crowd.

“Pickin’ up some things for the honeymoon. But shh, it’s a surprise. Noah thinks I’m meetin’ Jase for lunch.”

I feign a shocked gasp and clutch my chest. “You want me tolieto my bestie? Hmm. That may cost you extra…” I tilt my head toward my tip jar.

He shakes his head, grabs a twenty, and shoves it in. “That enough for yoursilence?”

“That’ll do it. Now what can I getcha?”

“A regular coffee with caramel and two creams.”

“You know what’d pair great with this?” I grab a cup. “A blue-choco-berry muffin.”

It’s a new thing I’m trying. Baking, that is. Customers have been asking for food options, so I’m starting small. With the weather getting colder, I’m spending more time inside and figured I’d give it a try.

Plus, it helps keep my brain busy so I don’t overthink how I’m going to be a single cat lady for the rest of my life. Well, as soon as I get some cats. It’s worked for Taylor Swift.

But I’d probably forget to feed it.

Or maybe I’ll get a hamster. I’m ninety percent sure I could keep a hamster alive.

“Ablue-chocowhat?”

“I mixed blueberries and chocolate chips with a hint of cinnamon,” I explain, making his drink. “It’s an orgasmic explosion for your tastebuds.”

His brows rise with amusement, but he doesn’t tell me no. Fisher’s too sweet to make fun of my random concoction.

Too bad he doesn’t have a brother. Preferably one closer to my age, rich, and single.

“How many do you have left?”

Once I put the lid on his cup and hand it over, I look over at my tray. “Three. Sold five this morning.”

“Okay, I’ll take the rest.” He smiles wide, pulling out more cash.

“All three? Better not let those Hollis boys see you with these. They’ll fight ya for one.”

“Pfft. They’re too scared of their sister’s wrath to mess with me.”