“Shelby?”
“Magnolia, I have news.” She sounds excited. “The judge approved the emergency motion. With Cody in jail and facing federal charges, they’re granting the divorce. You just need to come in today to sign the final paperwork, and it’ll be done.”
I sit up straight, my heart pounding. “Are you serious?”
“Completely serious. Can you come in this afternoon?”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll be there.”
When I hang up, Levi’s awake, watching me with sleepy eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” I’m grinning so hard my face hurts. “Shelby got the emergency approval. I can sign the divorce papers today. It’s really happening, Levi. I’m going to be free.”
He pulls me back down, rolling so he’s over me, supporting his weight on his forearms. “That’s amazing, Magnolia Grace.”
“I couldn’t have done this without you,” I say, tears pricking my eyes. “You saved me. In every way a person can be saved.”
“No,” he says firmly. “You saved yourself. I just gave you a safe place to land.”
I pull him down for a kiss, pouring everything I feel into it; gratitude, love, hope, joy. When we break apart, we’re both breathing hard.
“What do you say we make this official?” he asks, his voice low.
“What do you mean?”
“Move in with me. Not temporarily, not just until the divorce is final anymore. Move in with me for real. Make this our home.”
My throat tightens. “Levi…”
“I know it’s fast,” he says quickly. “I know we’ve only been doing this for a few weeks. But Magnolia, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you. I want to build a life with you. So move in with me. For real this time.”
I think about my studio apartment back at the house I shared with Cody, the one that never felt like home. I think about these past weeks with Levi, how safe I’ve felt, how happy. I think about how he makes me laugh, how he supports my business, how he holds me when I cry.
“Yes,” I say. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.”
His smile is blinding. He kisses me again, and this time it’s full of everything that the future might hold. With a grin, he moves his mouth down my body, sucking on bare pieces of my flesh.
“Do we have time?” He whispers.
“I’ll always make time for you,” I giggle.
Later, after we’ve celebrated in the best way possible, we’re lying tangled together, and I can’t stop smiling.
“What are you thinking about?” Levi asks, trailing his fingers up and down my spine.
“Just…how different everything is from a few months ago. How lost I felt. How hopeless.” I turn to look at him. “And how you changed all of that.”
“We changed it together,” he corrects. “You just needed someone to remind you how strong you are.”
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too, Magnolia Grace. Now and always.”
And lying there in his arms, with my divorce about to be final and a future with this incredible man stretching out before me, I finally let myself believe in happy endings. They’re no longer just something that people in books or movies, or songs get. It’s a tangible thing I can get too.
Chapter 29
Levi
