Karina shows her one of the boxes she bought. “I got you this one for home.”
As Ruby browses, I catch myself absently reaching up to adjust the concealer on my neck, and her eyes track the movement. Fuck. I drop my hand immediately, plastering on a smile.
“I’ll take a variety box,” she says, but there’s something in her expression that stops me cold. It’s not judgment, exactly. More like…understanding? “For the office. Everyone’s been asking where I get these treats.”
We make small talk as I package her order, and somehow I make it through without mentioning Levi’s name even once, though it sits on my tongue the whole time. The way both women look at me makes me wonder what they’ve heard, what they suspect, what Levi might have told them.
They pay and leave together, heads bent close in conversation, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
The rest of the pop-up goes well. I sell out of almost everything, which means I’ll have money to cover my bills this month. I’m down to my last few packages when I see Violet approaching my table, her hair catching the afternoon sun streaming through the window.
Ace’s wife. I know her, but not well. She’s always been friendly, always had a kind smile, but we’ve never been close.
“Magnolia,” she says, and there’s an understanding in her tone that makes me straighten. “These look amazing. Can I grab the last of those chocolate-covered Oreos?”
“Of course.” I package them up, but she doesn’t leave. Instead, she glances around, then leans in slightly.
“Do you have a minute to sit?” she asks quietly. “I’d like to talk to you, if that’s okay.”
My stomach drops, but I nod. We move to a table near the back, away from the main lunch crowd. Violet settles into her chair. She’s comfortable in her own skin, and she studies me for a moment before speaking.
“How are you doing with the divorce?” She asks, and her directness catches me off guard. “From Cody, I mean.” Even though I know which divorce she’s asking about.
“It’s…” I search for the right words. “Not easy.”
She nods slowly, a sad smile playing at her lips. “I know what that’s like. I was in your shoes once, you know. Loved someone before my divorce was final. It’s complicated, scary. You feel guilty even though you know you shouldn’t.”
My eyes widen. “What makes you think I’m seeing someone?”
Violet’s smile grows, and she reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. “Because I recognize that look in your eyes, honey. That little spark of hope mixed with fear. And because”—her eyes flick to my neck—“the makeup on your neck is a little too dark. Covering something up?”
Heat floods my face, and I know I’ve been caught. I don’t say anything, can’t say anything.
“Hey,” Violet says gently. “I’m not judging you. I’m just saying…I’ve been there. I know how hard it is to let yourself be happy when everything around you is falling apart. But you deserve happiness, Magnolia. You deserve someone who makes you feel alive again.”
Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink them back furiously. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re going to be okay,” she says with certainty. “Better than okay, actually. Just…don’t let the fear win, alright? Life’s too short for that.”
We talk for a few more minutes before she leaves, and I sit there processing everything. The kindness of Levi’s family, Violet’s understanding, the way people in this town have quietly supported me even when I’ve felt completely alone.
After I clean up my table and load everything back into my SUV, I walk across the downtown area to attorney Shelby Bruce’s office. She’s married to a member of the Laurel Springs Police Department, but practices under her maiden name.
“Magnolia,” she greets me as I walk in, gesturing to a chair. “Thanks for coming in. We need to talk about what’s holding up the divorce.”
I sink into the chair, already exhausted. “Let me guess. Cody wants something.”
“He’s demanding a detailed accounting of the business and its assets,” Shelby says, pulling out a thick folder. “He’s claiming that because you used marital funds to start it, he’s entitled to half of everything; including future earnings.”
“That’s bullshit,” I say, my voice sharper than I intend. “He drained all our accounts, Shelby. Every single one. There’s no money left.”
Her expression softens. “I know, honey. And that’s going to work in our favor. But right now, I need you to let me handle this, okay? Don’t engage with him, don’t respond to anything he sends you. Let me deal with it.”
“Okay,” I agree, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders. “Thank you.”
We go over a few more details. Some paperwork I need to sign, documents she needs from me, and a timeline for the next steps. By the time I leave her office, the sun is starting to sink lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the street.
That’s when I see him.
