if it makes more work for you."
Maybe that’s what I was doing.
The weeks of quiet were just the soaking of the stone, the necessary time for the conditions to hone that hope again, until it was bright and visible and caught the light just right, so we could both see it.
Patience had always been one of my weaknesses.
So had being willing to sit in discomfort.
But this, she, was worth it.
The office was just as I'd left it when I returned that evening, and as I nodded to a couple of women who passed on the sidewalk, I wondered if Magnolia was waiting for me to leave so she could see what I was up to.
I left all but one bag from the craft store in my car while I set up a couple of things. A tall frame passed in front of the window, and I saw Tucker stop and do a double-take when he saw me.
My face was hot when he slowly opened the door, taking in the sight of me up on the ladder by the black metal shelves.
"Tucker," I said evenly, like I wasn't hanging a strand of hot-pink, plastic heart-shaped lights along our inventory shelves.
His eyes were wide and uncertain. I could practically hear his thoughts. That's it. Grady has lost his mind.
"What'cha up to, Grady?"
"Just sprucing up the place."
"Uh-huh." He scratched the side of his face. "Haven't seen much of you the past couple of weeks. Your aunt told me you might be here, and I thought I'd chance it."
I turned back to the lights and hooked the end on the edge of the shelf, anchoring it with a box of hiking boots. "Mind plugging that in for me?"
His eyebrows popped up. "Uhh, nope." He leaned over and snatched the end of the strand, plugging it into the wall outlet.
The lights were terrible. Tacky and cheesy. And perfect. She'd love them. And if I knew her like I thought I did, she'd take them for exactly what I meant them to be. A sign. And a challenge that I knew she wouldn't be able to resist. Not if she still cared, at least. She might think I was crazy, but hell, half the people I loved were crazy in some form.
"What do you think?" I asked him, climbing down the ladder and studying them carefully.
"Bit crooked."
I tilted my head. Shit. They were. "They're supposed to be. It's artsy."
"Uh-huh." He studied my face. "She talking to you yet?"
"Not yet," I said, keeping my voice light. "We emailed about some work stuff today, and she hasn't quit yet, so I'm taking that as a good sign."
Tucker nodded. "I wanted to give both of y'all some space, because I know this isn't a normal situation." He pointed at himself, and then me and the desk, as if that one stupid piece of furniture represented Magnolia. "The three of us. My past with her."
"It's not." I gestured to the chairs tucked into the table by the front window. "Have a seat."
He slid one out and flipped it to face the desk, and I took my normal spot.
"In truth, I wasn't sure if you even needed me to come talk to you about this," Tucker admitted. "You hardly need my permission, or blessing, whatever. You're both adults if she decides she's okay with everything."
"But she's still your ex-girlfriend," I said.
"That she is." Tucker blew out a hard breath. "She's a good person with a good heart, and we grew apart very naturally. Long before your sister showed up. It's almost like we were that married couple who stayed together simply because it was easier, which sounds horrible now, but it's true. I can truly look at her and wish her well. And if you're the man who will protect that heart of hers, then I'm happy." He held my gaze. "I'm happy it's you."
I extended my hand, which he took in a firm shake. "I hope she lets me."
"Yeah." He sighed. "Maybe hitting her with that so soon wasn't the best idea."
"Ya think?"
We both laughed, and something inside me settled because this was my friend. Someday, he'd be my brother through marriage.
He glanced at the lights again. "You sure you know what you're doing?"
"Nope." I smiled. "But I'll tell you right now, with no offense intended, I probably won't ever seek your advice when it comes to her."
"None taken," he answered easily. "Your Magnolia is different than the one I knew. I can say that with utmost sincerity."
My Magnolia, I