Page 79 of No Way Home
“Well, looky, looky,”Sophie said, as we pulled into Uncle Ford and Aunt Peyton’s circular drive.
“There’s a red Mini Cooper here with the license plate HOOHEAL.”
I grunted and put my Land Cruiser in park. “So?” I said like it was no biggie. But in my head, I was freaking out. Who invited Magnolia? And what would Granny say? But most importantly, what if Griff found out?
“So,” Sophie said, fluttering her lashes annoyingly. “Maggie’s hot body running around in a bikini?” She shook my shoulder. “Good luck, big brother. You’re gonna need it.” Then she jetted out of the vehicle.
I texted Fletch, stalling.
You’re coming to the baby shower, right?
Fletcher
I guess. What should I get Willow?
Youdidn’t buy anything yet? Forget it. Just hurry please. I need backup. Magnolia’s here.
Fletcher
Magnolia? Is Foot Cop there?
Fletch was high-key terrified of Abilene. They’d shown up to some of the same Dupree family functions back in the day, and Abilene roasted him every time.
Foot Cop’s not here.
I didn’t actually know that, but I couldn’t imagine why she would be. And I needed a wingman. Someone to keep me from doing something I’d regret.
Fletcher
Fine. Be there in a bit.
With a water bottle swinging from my hand, I took my time heading toward Lake A, the larger of Uncle Ford’s two lakes. And I triednotto think about the image Sophie had put in my head. I walked under the baby shower banner and followed the buzz of conversation.
Like I had Magnolia Wren Hollis radar, even in the crowd of Duprees, she was the first person I saw. Over by the quilting frame the ladies had set up to make a blanket for the baby, Magnolia’s face was full blush as she stood tucked against Gramps’s side. He was looking at her proudly, eyes sparkling, saying something I couldn’t hear. Whatever it was, there were a lot of darlin’s and shugga’s interspersed. That was a given.
She was in her signature outfit: a tank top and tiny running shorts, rolled up towel under her arm, long legstempting me. Today, her blond hair was perfectly straight and silky smooth. She looked like pure sunshine.
James sat with Sage and my aunts in the shade. He watched his wife with concern. My stomach twisted at the worry in his expression. I don’t think he’d let her out of his sight for more than a few minutes since the cardiologist gave them the diagnosis.
I caught James’s eye.You good?I mouthed.
He forced a smile.Yeah.
“What up, Bowen!” Ford reached out to fist-bump me.
I bumped him back. “Hey, Funcle Ford.”
When she heard my name, Magnolia’s eyes flashed to me. Along with half the family. Conversations lulled awkwardly, gazes bouncing between the two of us. Not sure what they were waiting for. Another kiss? For Griffin to appear out of nowhere and tackle me to the ground? If so, they were going to be sorely disappointed on both accounts.
I kept my eyes straight ahead, like I felt none of them watching.
Oh dang—Liam was here, chatting with Charlie, Cash, and Theo. Wearing board shorts and no shirt, he looked like a protein-shake commercial come to life—every defined muscle courtesy of the Carolina Fury, an NFL team based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. I strolled toward him, a grin overtaking my face.
When he saw me, he hooted, “Bocephus in the house!”
“What up, William!” I shot back. He hated when people called him that because Liam wasn’t a nickname; it was his full first name.
He huffed. “I swear, I’ve been here for twenty minutes and y’all are testing my patience already.”
