Page 45 of Forever To Me

“Thanks for the ride,” she says, voice quieter.

“Anytime,” I murmur, surprised to find that I actually mean it.

She hesitates for a second, then smiles—not her usual playful smirk, but something smaller, something real.

“Thanks for being my friend, Walker.”

And that? That hits.

Friend.

The word sticks in my chest like a splinter I didn’t see coming. Friend zoned for real.

Because I know she means it. And maybe I should be relieved, or maybe I should be grateful that she’s willing tosee me as anything other than the guy who pushed her away.

But instead, it feels like a punch to the gut.

Because if she’s calling me a friend, then it means I’m doing exactly what I set out to do. Keeping my distance. Keeping it casual. Keeping my walls up.

And yet, why does it feel like I’m losing something?

She gives me one last look before stepping out, pulling her hoodie tighter around her as she heads up the steps.

I watch her go, my grip tightening around the steering wheel, the word still ringing in my ears.

Friend.

I should be okay with that.

I should.

So why the hell am I not?

I should’ve known better than to step foot in The Dogwood Inn without my guard up. Maggie gives me hell on a good day. But today I feel like she's got an even bigger plan to drive me crazy.

Maggie has that look. The one that means she's about to meddle in my love life like it's her God-given duty.

I’ve barely walked through the front door when she pops up behind the counter, eyes twinkling like she's about to ruin my day in the most affectionate way possible.

"Well, if it isn’t Walker, the man who’s been circling my niece like a lovesick hound dog,” she says, crossing her arms.

I sigh. Loudly. “Hello to you too, Maggie.”

She grinned. “Saw you two having a lovely stroll through town the other day.”

Shit.Can no one leave me alone in this town?

I force a casual shrug. “We were just havingcoffee.”

Maggie narrows her eyes. “Uh-huh. And you just so happened to be glued to Violet’s side the whole time?”

“Glued?” I scoff. “That’s dramatic, even for you.”

She waves me off. “Please. You were looking at her like she hung the damn moon. And the way you puffed up when Ollie teased you? Whew. I could feel the testosterone all the way over here at the Dogwood.”

I scrub a hand down my face. “You’re seeing things and need to get your vision checked before you move into the nursing home. Also, what, do you have a gossip phone tree going? How do you even know all of that?”

Maggie lets out a sharp bark of laughter. “Honey, I’ve been watching stubborn men deny their feelings since before you were born. You’re not slick.”

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