Page 41 of A Magnolia Move-In
When I went to therapy, I was going to talk to my therapist about what it was going to take to get back to normal. I finally had a life to look forward to, and I didn’t want to miss a moment of it.
I may have gone overboard getting ready, but I couldn’t help it. I was excited. I slipped on a black skirt with a dark-purple top that made me look tan. I did my makeup and curled my hair.
I definitely looked like I was going out on a date instead of a physical therapy appointment, but I didn’t care. I finally felt normal, and I was going to lean into that.
With my shoes on my feet and my purse in my lap, I wheeled out of my room. As I made my way into the kitchen, I paused. Colten was leaning his elbows against the counter and was clutching his phone between his hands. He was completely engrossed with what was on his screen when I approached.
Butterflies took flight in my stomach at the sight of him. Even though I had Walker, I still had eyes. I knew a good-looking man when I saw one. And Colten was very good-looking.
Which made me wonder—why was he still single?
Not wanting to delve into those thoughts too much, I wheeled over to the fridge. “Waiting for Jackson?” I asked as I pulled open the door and grabbed a water bottle.
Colten straightened, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Naw, I was—” He stopped as his gaze ran over me.
My cheeks heated from his approving smile.
“Well, don’t you look nice today.” He straightened and puffed his chest out. “You didn’t have to get dressed up for me.”
I scoffed. “Why on earth would I get dressed up for you? I didn’t even know you were coming.”
He feigned a hurt expression. “Jackson didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head. “Tell me what?” I didn’t like where this conversation was going.
“He had something to do with Fiona. He asked me to drive you to your PT appointment.”
I swallowed. “What?”
“I” —he pointed to his chest— “will take you” —he pointed to me— “to your appointment.” He wiggled his fingers like they were two legs walking away.
I gave him an exasperated sigh. “I understand that part, but where did Jackson and Fiona go?”
Colten shrugged. “I’m not sure. But I think it might have something to do with Dave, Fiona’s ex.”
I studied him for a moment, wishing that I could just drive myself, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Not when my leg was in a cast.
He was my ride, and if I wanted to get better for Walker, I needed to go with him.
“Fine,” I said as I twisted the cap back onto the water bottle. “If there’s no one else, I guess you’ll have to do.” I wheeled my chair over to him.
He wrapped his hands around the handles and pushed me toward the door. “Well, geez. I’m honored.”
I moved to swat him. “Hey, you used to tell me that mud pies were just a strange type of chocolate. Forgive me if I’m a little skeptical of you.” I punctuated the sentence with a death stare in his direction.
Colten opened the door and pushed me out onto the porch. I had to squint while I fished out my sunglasses. “Hey, I was just a kid,” Colten retorted as he shut the front door and locked it.
“Yeah, well, I don’t forget.”
I suddenly felt a finger jab into my side. I yelped and turned to see Colten’s wide grin. “You should learn to forgive,” he said as he pulled his sunglasses down from the top of his head and slipped them onto his face.
I glowered at him. “Poking me is not the way to win me back.”
He parted his lips. “Oh, are you available?”
There was a heat to those words. As if they meant one thing on the surface but had a deeper meaning behind them.
As if he was genuinely interested in my relationship status.
