Page 35 of A Magnolia Move-In
Clementine smiled again. “Good. Well, once you’re up and moving, I’d love for you to join us for a class. The book club ladies indulge me when it’s my turn to host. We have fun trying all kinds of dancing.”
“Clem,” Fiona hissed.
Clementine glanced over. “What?”
“She’s just here to get better. She has a life in North Carolina.”
Clementine didn’t look convinced. “Magnolia is way better than North Carolina.” She snapped her fingers. “You’ll be moving here in a heartbeat once you see whatthe Red Stiletto Book Club ladies can do on the dance floor.”
Fiona snorted as she leaned closer to me. “Most times, we’ve had a few drinks before we even start. It’s kind of like watching a bunch of newborn foals try to stand.”
Clem narrowed her eyes. “We do pretty well.”
Fiona shook her head.
I just laughed. It felt good. These two women did make Magnolia seem like a wonderful place. There was a part of me that ached for this kind of friendship. But that just wasn’t in the cards for me.
I wasn’t sure it ever would be.
Thankfully, the two women moved on from our conversation. Clementine walked me around the store, stopping at the small repair shop and introducing me to Spencer. He was a tall, quiet man who just nodded in my direction.
After she guided me through the dance studio, Fiona caught me yawning and stated that it was time to go. We said our goodbyes, and Clementine stayed on the sidewalk until we were out of sight.
I sighed as I settled into my seat. Fiona was talking about how we would skip Magnolia Inn, so she could take me home. That she never knew that Clementine could talk that much, and how grateful she was that we were friends.
I just let her talk, nodding and softly responding when it was appropriate.
I had to admit, I liked that we were friends as well. The more I got to know the women of Magnolia, the more I was beginning to realize just what I was missing in my life.Sure, I had Walker. At some point, he was going to show up to take me home. But the more I was face-to-face with what I didn’t have, the more I was beginning to desire the life I should have led. One that involved book clubs, girls nights, and a hopeful view of the future.
I was beginning to question if Walker was the man to give that to me.
ELEVEN
Penny
Spencer wasn’t home when I pulled into the driveway at seven thirty. After my lunch with Maggie, I spent the rest of the day cleaning my office. I was almost done going through the papers, which was a relief. I was ready to move on to the reason I bought Magnolia Daily—to write articles for the paper.
That dream was finally feeling close enough for me to touch. It made me school-girl giddy.
I turned off the engine and slipped my keys into my purse. After pulling the strap up onto my shoulder, I climbed out and slammed the door behind me.
Once I was inside, I flipped on the lights as I made my way to my room to drop off my bags. I was starving, and since I still hadn’t gone to the grocery store, I was going to order some takeout and watch something on the TV in the living room.
After I ordered some Chinese, I took a shower. All ofthe dust and ink from the papers felt as if it was coating my skin. Plus, the warm water was soothing to my aching muscles.
I dressed in a pair of my silk pajamas and brushed my hair and left it to air dry. Tomorrow I would curl it to help tame some of the frizz. I opened my bedroom door and padded into the kitchen. I looked at my phone to check on the ETA of the delivery driver, grabbed a glass of water, and headed into the living room.
I almost dropped the glass when my gaze landed on a man sitting in the recliner on the far side of the room. It took a moment for me to realize that it was just Spencer, but that didn’t register until after I’d yelped, and my heart rate had taken off.
My reaction drew his attention over, and I felt so tiny under his dark stare. We hadn’t spoken since this morning when he caught me in his bathroom, and I wasn’t sure where we stood.
Was he mad at me?
Why hadn’t I planned for the fact that I was going to see him? I had no idea what I was going to say or how I was going to explain myself.
“I was looking for you to ask you a question.” The words slipped out before I could police what I was saying.
Spencer furrowed his brow. “What?”
