Page 53 of The Comeback Road (Leaving #2)

Lexie

I slid into the passenger seat of Magnolia’s truck. The familiar scent of vanilla and coconut from her air freshener wrapped around us, and I let the comfort of it wash over me. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.

“Ready for the Bar-kery?” Magnolia asked, excitement threaded through her words.

I nodded, unsure if I was more excited about seeing what they’d come up with so far or the fact that I was leaving the house and spending time with Magnolia.

I wanted to reconnect with her after everything that had happened.

The unspoken truths that had been uncovered still lay between us, and I knew she wasn’t pushing because of how far into myself I had fallen.

Magnolia turned the key in the ignition, and the truck’s engine purred to life.

As we pulled out of the driveway, she glanced at me, and her expression went from excitement to seriousness.

“Lexie…about…yesterday and, well, everything.” I sucked in a breath and prepared myself for her anger, but instead, I was met with something else.

“I just wanted to say, I was upset with you at first. Like, really upset. I felt like my best friend had ghosted me. I didn’t understand, and when you came back hurt, I realized you had been doing something far more important than returning my texts.

And then I heard everything you said to Luke, and, well…

I get it. I understand everything. I would’ve made the same decision if it meant keeping people safe.

If it meant keeping you safe, I wouldn’t have even thought twice about it. ”

Her words hit me like a soft breeze on a hot day, refreshing and necessary. I opened my mouth to respond, but she continued.

“I just…I missed you, you know?” Magnolia admitted. I hated the way her voice trembled as she continued. “I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if something had happened to you.”

I felt a lump form in my throat as I turned to her, and I felt myself swell with gratitude. “Thank you, babes. That means more to me than you can imagine.”

She smiled, and the understanding between us began to thaw the remnants of our past misunderstandings. “So, tell me the plan for the Bar-kery. Where are you at?”

“We are still under construction, but we have the clinic built in the back, with dry wall at the bar and restaurant part. It’s a hot mess, but it’s my mess, ya know?”

Yeah, I knew exactly how that felt. As we approached the Bark-ery, I could see the construction site buzzing with activity, even though it was the day after Christmas. “Yeesh, ever heard of giving them a day off, Mags?” I questioned as I unbuckled my seat belt.

“You’ve been away too long, Lex. You know how small towns are. Everyone pitches in here,” she stated, walking over to the workers, saying hi, and telling them that Sloan was a few minutes behind her with coffee and donuts.

As the workers continued hauling materials, and the faint sounds of hammers and drills filled the air, I looked over everything from the outside. The place was going to be amazing, and I was itching to be a part of it.

“You know, I think I could come up with the perfect software that helps manage the costs and pricing. Like something I’ve already put together for Jace and Dexter.

We could analyze the best prices and margins to ensure everything is sustainable.

That way, we can put as much money as possible into the veterinary side of it.

I could even get something up and running for the clinic…

Maybe a way to get donors who don’t live in town also. ”

Magnolia turned toward me. “Are you serious?”

“Of course. I’m only sorry I couldn’t offer this sooner. This is going to be so much fun!” I clapped my hands together, my mind running with ideas and how to put it all together. “Speaking of solutions…and Jace…” Magnolia nudged me with her shoulder as we crossed a barrier and made our way inside.

That familiar, pesky fluttering in my stomach that had been constantly around those past few days reminded me of exactly how he made me feel.

“I think I’m in love with him,” I confessed.

“Pretty sure I was before, pretty sure I never stopped. And I’m pretty sure I knew the moment I met him that he was supposed to be mine. ”

A small smile crept onto Magnolia’s face. “You know, we all make choices in the heat of the moment. Wrong choices. But at the end of the day, we all take the road that brings us back home, or back to where we were always meant to be. Maybe this is your chance to find your way back to him.”

“Like…a comeback tour?” I teased.

“No, like a comeback road,” She winked at me as we went further inside.

Magnolia spent the next twenty or so minutes showing me everything that had been done so far, and I just felt proud.

Proud of my friend, and insanely thrilled with how happy she was.

Magnolia radiated joy, and I knew it had taken her a while to get there.

Before I could get all weepy on her, I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me.

“Lexie!” I turned, and there stood Luke, a hesitant smile on his face.

“I was hoping I’d catch you. Want to grab a bite at the diner? I’d like to talk to you.”

“Sure,” I heard myself say, glancing back at Magnolia, who gave me an encouraging nod. I couldn’t stay mad at him forever, and it was probably time to clear the air.

“Let’s go,” Luke said. As we made our way to his car, I felt a mixture of contentment and uncertainty about what lay ahead.