Once his eyes finally met mine, he shot me a nervous grin. “And there’s one more thing.” His voice wavered.
I held my breath as he leaned down and tentatively pressed his soft lips to mine. I willed myself to indulge in him, but he was too stiff. There was no passion behind the kiss. We had no chemistry, and I didn’t see a reason to force it.
He took a step back. I turned my back on him and shoved the key into the lock before I twisted it. I opened the door and turned back to him. He had a satisfied smirk on his lips as he looked past me into my apartment.
A shiver of disgust ran through me, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I loved sex as much as the next person, but there had to be some sort of attraction for it to interest me. He may be attractive, but I wasn’t attracted to him—no matter how much I’d tried to be.
“I had a great time, Declan. Thank you for dinner.” I kept myself firmly planted in my doorframe.
His smirk dropped, and a flush crept up his neck. “Of course. I always enjoy the time I get to spend with you, flower.”
I winced at the nickname. I loathed it. Yeah, I got it. My name was Magnolia, but I was the furthest thing from a delicate flower. Anyone who knew me, knew that. My name was a source of bullying in high school. I’d always been sex-positive, even back then. I’d lost my virginity to some popular boy sophomore year in the back of his pick-up at a lake party. He bragged to everyone, and I earned the nickname Deflowered Magnolia.
Flower didn’t exactly sit well with me.
“Thank you for dropping me off,” I bit out.
“It’s been a wonderful third date. I wish it didn’t have to end.”
“Well, maybe next time it won’t end here.” I gave a tight-lipped smile.
“I see.” He blew out a steady air of breath before he plastered on a smile that showed off his straight, white teeth. “Next time, then.”
I nodded, stepped into my sanctuary and shut the door. I was thankful for the barrier between us. The awkward kiss still lingered on my lips, and I wiped it off with the back of my hand.
I inhaled the lavender essential oil that was still being diffused as I took comfort in being home. My numerous plants were on the oak table in front of my balcony’s sliding door. The street lights from outside shone a streak of light into my living room. A mauve-colored couch sat against the wall adjacent to the balcony that was worn down but comfortable. An oval oak coffee table sat in front of it with more plants scattered on top of it. The life plants brought by simply being around was refreshing.
I snagged my phone out of my bag before I tossed it on the couch. I undressed on the way to the bathroom, a trail of my clothing lingering behind me. I turned the hot water on and poured in my bubble bath solution that smelled like strawberries. As the tub filled, I grabbed my makeup wipes and took off the date night makeup.
I turned off the water once it hit right below the height of the tub and stepped in. I sunk into the scalding water and inhaled the strawberry scent. It was a rough night. A bunch of cumbersome smiles and terrible jokes. Declan was a great guy, just not for me. The only reason we’d made it to date number three was because I’d tried to force myself to like him. He was stable, owned a few laundromats in the biggest city closest to Violet Ridge. He was nice and held doors open for me. He’d brought flowers when he picked me up. He was a gentleman down to his core and everything women were supposed to want in a man.
My phone rang and vibrated on the side of the tub. I clicked the green answer button followed by the speaker with dripping wet fingers. Water droplets lingered on the screen. “Yeah?”
“Hey, Mags!” Faith’s cheery voice bounced off the walls of the closet-sized bathroom. “You ready for the wedding festivities?”
I chuckled. “Oh, I’m ecstatic. Glad you and Asher are finally tying the knot. Though, I have to ask. Why is it a whole-week event? That’s so unlike you.”
She giggled. “My dad. He’s been really excited about the wedding and wants to ensure that it’s perfect. If he wants to plan this whole thing, then I’ll let him. It feels nice to have him involved.”
“That’s awesome, Faith.”
She and her dad had a rocky relationship up until about a year ago when she found out that her troll of an ex-fiancé had been cheating on her since the start of their relationship. Her dad had been her protector alongside Asher, probably because of the guilt. He was the one who had introduced Faith to the scumbag at one of his work events. It was good to see him step up to the plate for her, but did he have to make a whole-ass week of wedding festivities?
“Yeah!” I could hear the giddiness in her voice. “Are you packed and ready to go?”
“Babe, the events don’t start until Monday.”
“Yeah, next week!”
“It’s Wednesday of this week. My vacation at the bank doesn’t start until Sunday anyway.”
What started out as my first big-girl job at the only bank in Violet Ridge turned into my career. I’d shown those high school bitches I could do what they said I couldn’t. They awarded me with “Most Likely to get Knocked up” on senior night. They slut-shamed me relentlessly, but I moved past their immature words and actions thanks to my best friends, Faith and Eve. They encouraged me to embrace my sexual nature, and I did. Accepting
