Page 45 of Weather the Storm

MAGNOLIA

Luckily, Mary Katherine was my last appointment of the day. I’m nervous and jumpy as I clean up. The girls all keep asking me if I’m okay, but I’m in no mood to talk.

I’m far too busy dissecting Grant’s motives and plans. In my gut, I feel like Mary Katherine had no idea who I am. So, that begs the question ofwhy? Why did he send her here? To me? Why?

“C’mon, Mags, let’s go pick up your car. Myles said I could dip out early.”

I feel guilty that everyone’s having to accommodate me, but I’m so relieved to leave that I don’t question her. I wave goodbye to Myla Rose and Azalea and follow Seraphine out to her car.

The minute I sit down, Simon’s name lights up on my phone screen.

“Hello?”

“Are you okay?” he asks. “I just got your message!”

“I-I’m fine. I have a-a lot to tell you. We’ll talk t-tonight?”

“Okay, Goldilocks. See you soon. I’ll see if I can leave the meeting early, or I can just skip it.”

“No, that’s okay, Simon.”

“Are you sure? Can Seraphine hang out at the house with you until I get there?”

“I’m sure she can. Love you.”

Seraphine waits in the car while I run into Mateo’s shop to get my keys.

“Hola, Magnolia,” Mateo’s brother, Arrón, greets me.

“Hey,” I mumble, slightly nervous, even though I know he’s a nice guy.

“Mateo’s on his way back with your ride, wanted to test-drive it before giving you the keys.”

“Oh. That’s n-nice of him.”

“And here he is now.Vamonos—let’s go.”

I follow dutifully behind him, only for us to both stop short when we see Mateo and Seraphine locked in an intense stare-down. Finally, Arrón clears his throat. “Brother, you gonna keep staring or are you gonna give Simon’s girl her keys?”

Mateo tears his eyes away from my cousin, reaches out, and hands me my keys. “Drives like a dream.”

“Thanks, Mateo.”

After resituating my seat and mirrors, I pull out of their parking lot, Seraphine following behind me.

I bring my car to a stop under the shade of the oak tree in Simon’s front yard, Seraphine pulling in right behind me. “Mind if I hang out until your man gets home?” she asks as I exit my car.

“Did Simon t-text you?” I ask, knowing he did.

Seraphine laughs. “Yup. C’mon, it’s hot—let’s go inside.”

We trot up the steps, only to come to a dead stop when we reach the front door. Resting on the porch is a rectangular box. It’s no bigger than a shoe box, and it’s beautifully wrapped in gold paper.

“What in hell?” Seraphine asks, echoing my sentiments. “You think it’s from Simon?”

I shake my head. “N-no.”

Seraphine nudges it with the toe of her wedged sandal, waiting a moment before reaching down and picking it up.

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