She pulls back to look at me, and a beat passes between us. One that, whether we’re ready for it or not, I assume means we’re deeper into this than we’ve realized.
The game continues, my family’s laughter filling the house, and I think about how many Thanksgivings I’ve spent in this room. How many holidays, how many birthdays, how many ordinary Sundays.
And none of them have been as special as this one.
Chapter 22
Magnolia
We get home late, both of us full and tired and content in a way I haven’t felt in a long time. In fact I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this content. My family wasn’t as close as the Harrison’s, and even when we were slightly close, it never felt as comfortable as today is. Levi puts on some random show, a rerun playing on one of the channels on the Peacock streaming app, and we collapse on the couch, our bodies naturally gravitating toward each other.
I’m not sure when I fall asleep, but when I wake up, the TV is still playing softly, and Levi’s arm is around me, my head resting on his chest. I can hear his heartbeat, steady and strong, and I let myself have this moment. This perfect, peaceful moment.
I must move, because Levi stirs, his arm tightening around me.
“Sorry,” I murmur. “Didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“You didn’t.” His voice is rough with sleep, doing absolutely unfair things to my insides. “What time is it?”
I check my phone. “Almost three in the morning.”
“Damn. We’ve been out for a while.”
“Yeah.”
We should get up and go to bed for real, but neither of us moves. The space between us is charged, like if one of us shifts even slightly this tenuous relationship with each other will either break open completely, or crumble. I’m scared to move because I’m afraid of it crumbling..
“Magnolia,” Levi says quietly.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
My throat gets tight, and I have to blink back tears. “Me too.”
“I know things are complicated, and I know you’re still dealing with Cody’s bullshit, but I want you to know…”
I sit up, turning to face him. “What?”
His eyes are so dark in the low light, and there’s an intensity in them that makes it hard to breathe. “I want you to know that I’m here for whatever you need. However long you need it. No expectations, no pressure. Just…I’m here.”
Before I can stop myself, I’m leaning in, pressing my lips to his.
He makes a sound in the back of his throat, his hand coming up to cup the back of my head, and then he’s kissing me back. The kiss gets out of control quickly. It’s deeper and hungrier than normal.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“Magnolia…”
“Don’t,” I say. “Don’t make me overthink this. Please.”
We end up sleeping on the couch, tangled together, and when I wake up in the morning light, I realize last night was a turning point. Maybe it’s because we slept on the couch together, maybe it’s because I spent the holiday with his family.
I’m not completely sure what it is, but I feel different.
I’m happy.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I’m genuinely, deeply happy.
