Page 45 of Mask and the Magnolia

The lighting is dim. Hopefully that works in her favor. It’s also very quiet, very calm. It’s safe.

Most would argue that considering where we are but neither of us have ever felt like we were at risk on this floor, not until today, and there’s no way leaving it is going to be a smart decision.

”Ms. Reynolds,” I say hesitantly as I enter the bathroom. “I’ve brought some things that might help. It isn’t much, and frankly I’m not sure what good they’ll do…”

My chest tightens as I look down into the closet to see Magnolia in the corner, her arms wrapped around her knees that are pulled tightly to her chest as the tears stream down her face. She’s shaking and still breathing heavily but I can tell that herpanic attack is over. Granted, she’s still very upset, and it’s that fact that has me throwing caution completely to the wind.

I toss the blankets into a pile as I drop to my knees, violating an unspoken law amongst omegas by crowding what little space she has and reaching out to catch a few of her tears.

The idea of sharing my nest with anyone has always been something that’s made my skin crawl, it’s a sentiment I feel safe in saying most would share, but I’m at a loss for how to help. Seeing her cry is gutting me.

”Ms. Reynolds, how, tell me how I can?—“

“Magnolia,” she stammers, her lower lip trembling..

I give her a soft smile as I scoot even closer. “Magnolia, what can I do to help you right now? Tell me what you need.”

She sniffles and tucks her hand into the sleeve of her sweater, using it to wipe her face. “I need you to be Isaak.”

I frown at that because I don’t really know what that means. I’m always Isaak as far as I know. How can I be more Isaak? And why on earth would she want that?

I’ve also just realized that I scooted close enough for us to touch without even trying and if that’s being more Isaak, I should be worried.

That’s alarming.

Magnolia sniffles again but there’s a touch of a smile in her eyes. “I don’t need Dr. Lowe. The doctor who feels like he needs to be in control of his actions at every moment, who follows all the rules and keeps boundaries firm because of it.” She reaches out and takes my hand, twining her fingers with mine as she tugs. “I need you to be Isaak. The man who knows what it’s like to be an omega trapped in a world full of alphas who underestimate him. Who has had to fight tooth and nail to carve out his own path in the chaos. I need you to be Isaak, my friend. The man who genuinely cares about me, who feels connected to me whether he wants to admit it or not.”

My brows raise and my stomach twists. “Magnolia, I?—“

”I need you to stop coming up with every excuse you can think of tonotbe my friend let alone act on it. I need you to stop being professional, Isaak, and just beyou.”

I search her eyes as Magnolia looks up at me expectantly, as if I hold the solution to all of her problems. I stare into those bright blue eyes and see a vulnerability there that makes my heart ache and skip a beat at the same time.

Kissing her would be a bad idea.

I want to. Goddamnit, I want to, but she is vulnerable. Now isn’t the time for that level of intimacy. I doubt that’s what she’s asking me to do. As much as I want to, I don’t think that’s the solution she’s looking for. Then there’s the little matter of Camden Blackhurst. I want to know every single detail of that catastrophe of a human and her connection to him, which is all the more reason kissing her is out of the question. He did that and while it seemed to repulse her, there must have been a reason he felt comfortable doing so. One I have yet to figure out.

Instead, I do the only thing I can think of.

I settle for second best, and that’s more Isaak Lowe than anything else ever has been.

But I push those thoughts from my head and go with my gut, extending my arms in an open invitation if she chooses to accept.

She does.

Magnolia doesn’t even hesitate, just immediately moves toward me, sliding her arms under my suit coat and around my waist as she pushes me so I’m against the wall. She rests her head on my chest, her face pressed right over my heart that has to be pounding against her cheek, and she wiggles closer so that as much of us that can touch, is.

If this didn’t feel so important, so much like it’s a turning point in our relationship because I’m able to provide somecomfort for her, comfort she wants and accepted without batting an eye, I’d be aroused.

It’s a terrible thought to have, one that I instantly regret having but I can’t take it back, and I do mean it. My body seems to understand that now is not the time for something along those lines, though.

I’m grateful for that small miracle.

Especially as Magnolia nuzzles my neck, burrowing a little deeper into me.

The way she smells, the way her body feels against mine, it’s just…right.It feels good. Her scent is perfect. Possibly because it’s similar to mine in some ways but I think it has more to do with that connection she spoke of.

The one I don’t think I can deny any longer.

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