“I’m going to wait until after the first of the year to make a decision,” I stated. On all matters at hand, including the bar. “I usually have a pretty good holiday crowd, even though the city is quiet. I booked a Christmas party for Levy’s Jewelers, so I want to see that through. It should be good money, open bar and all that.”?
Dane nodded thoughtfully and finished his drink. “Well, I should head out. I’ll call you when my plane lands in Atlanta. I’m staying at the Glenn if you need to get a hold of me.”?
I smiled, taking a good long look at him before he jetted off. He looked weary, almost tired, which was rare for Dane. “Are you feeling okay?” I asked, rubbing my hands up and down my arms, feeling a sudden chill.
He barked out a cough, clearing his throat. “Something’s been going around the office. A couple of the paralegals have been out this week, which has made prepping for this trial hell. I’ll be fine. I’ll nap on the plane.”
He hopped off of his stool, and I met him around the front of the bar and let him kiss me long and slow. For the first time since we had been together, something felt off. Something felt different. But I pushed it down and kissed him back like I meant it.?
Because I did, after all. Didn’t I?
The second the door shut behind him, I texted Sutton.?
MAGNOLIA: Can you stop by? I need to talk to you.?
SUTTON: About Lee investing in the bar? Or about Dane bouncing for two weeks and your ex-boyfriend sticking around??
Man, news sure did travel fast.?
MAGNOLIA: Can you just come over here, please??
I put my phone down, poured myself a glass of wine, and waited to hash this out with my best friend.?
“Tell me it’s a bad idea, Sutton. Tell me it’s a bad, bad idea.” Sutton and I had moved to a table in the corner of the bar, and I watched the door like a hawk, waiting for a patron… or for the Wilder brothers to come bashing through the door, fists flying at one another. Either would be more exciting than just sitting here, waiting with my thoughts.?
“I think it’s a great idea, honestly. You can turn the bar into the place you always wanted it to be. You can finally get that kitchen addition and put me on staff, and I can go down to part time at LaMonte’s. I’m drowning there anyway. Fried chicken, pies, booze, and local talent. You could, conceivably, have it all.”?
My head was spinning, a light sheen of cold sweat trickled across my brow. Since Lee had waltzed back into Savannah, it felt as though everything was suddenly changing.?Rather than selling the bar, I found myself presented with the chance to rescue it. I wasn’t sure why my body was reacting to this as negatively as it was.?
“Are you having a panic attack?” Sutton asked. She reached over and felt my head. “Dude, you’re burning up. Didn’t you say Kasey has the flu?”?
I felt my cheeks. They were on fire. “I haven’t seen her in a few days. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Might be the stress.”
Sutton studied me for a minute. “Nope, not the stress. Glassed over eyes, sweating profusely. I think you’re getting sick, hun.”?
I growled and sulked into my seat. “I cannot be sick right now. There’s too much going on.”?
Sutton picked up her phone, eyeing me warily. “Your sister isn’t feeling well. If you can’t come cover the bar, can you send Doyle or Jordan, please? I can’t catch the plague. I have to cater Eunice’s bridge club tomorrow, and I need to do prep. Bring Lysol.”?She laid down her phone. “Go lay down,” Sutton said to me, scooting her chair back and heading behind the bar. She began wiping it down with disinfectant, shooting me a stern look. “I’m serious, Magnolia, go. Now. I had my flu shot. I’ll be okay.”?
I stomped up my back staircase, hit my bedroom, flopped on the bed, and didn’t wake up for a long, long time.?When I stirred, I was covered in sweat and cat fur. Pickle had, as she often did, wrapped herself around my head and waslicking beads of sweat from my hairline. I let out a groan.?
“There are some flu meds and Advil on your nightstand. If you can, try to take it.” Lee was looming over me, and I noticed the still darkness outside my open window. He changed out a damp face cloth and replaced it with a cooler one. Pickle hissed at him.?
“Your momma doesn’t feel good, Pickle, but that’s no reason to be ornery. How are you feeling, Maggie?”?
My body felt like it was on fire, and my muscles were stiff and achy. I sneezed twice. “I should have got that flu shot,” I mumbled.?
“Probably. Little late for that now, though. Can I get you anything else?”?
I suddenly realized that my ex-boyfriend was playing nurse, and my heart picked up speed. “Where’s Dane?”?
“Atlanta. His flight left this morning, remember?”?
I tried to sit up. My body wasn’t a fan of the sudden movement, and the room began to spin. “What day is it?”?
“Monday night. You’ve been out for over twenty-four hours. You wake up every now and again, make a bunch of incoherent noises, and then fall back to sleep. I have to say, you’re still super cute when you’re out of it.”?
“Shut up,” I groaned. I’d been asleep for more than a day. That meant Lee had told everyone he was staying and that he was investing in the bar, and Dane had left, probably pissed off at me, and I was knocked out for hours on end. I needed to talk to Dane. “Where’s my phone?”?
