Page 12 of Yours To Keep
“I’m enjoying a rare moment away from Evelyn today. I love my sweet girl, but mama needs a break,” Kelsea huffs, leaning against the counter. Ember browses through our new selection of bookish hoodies, already pulling out three in her size. Looking down at the skirt of my blue sundress, I wish I could dress however the hell I want to. I have piles of t-shirts and hoodies I’ve saved for myself stacked in the back of my closet, but I know if I were to dress that way in public, my mother would hear about it before I could even smile. I don’t want to care about her opinion, but it’s not worth the argument to me. It’s not worth the devastation she causes to my self-esteem every single time.
My phone buzzes, and I check it without hesitation. A picture of Iris making a kissy face and flipping off the camera fills the screen, and I laugh loudly.
“Who ya smiling like that about? A boy?” Ember asks, shooting me a side eye.
“No, it’s just Iris,” I tell them and they both stare back at me, slack jawed.
“FYI, Magnolia. He is a boy. Actually, that’s amanright there,” Kelsea says, and I snort.
“We’re just friends,” I tell them, neither of them looking convinced. I don’t dare tell them about the kiss that’s hauntedmy dreams every single night since the moment I felt his lips against mine.
“Iris doesn’t have friends with boobs, Maggie. Except us,” Ember says.
“Yeah, us,” I say, gesturing to the three of us standing here.
“No. You’re unattached. Therefore, fair game if you want to be,” Kelsea suggests, smirking back at me.
“It’s not like that. He’s not in to me, he’s just helping me with some family bullshit,” I say, sliding my phone back in my pocket. Ember’s eyes soften, understanding the kind of bullshit that goes on when it comes to my family.
“See, I think that’s where you’re wrong. And I noticed how you said he’s not into you, but are you interested in him?” Kelsea asks, and I feel my cheeks heat under their scrutiny. Damn my fair skin.
“Ok. So, obviously, you like him,” Ember says, smiling widely.
“I mean, have you seen him?” I joke, but they just stare back at me. Finally, I crack. “Ok, yes. I like him. Physically, the man is swoon worthy. But he’s also so funny and kind. He reads romance novels, for Christ’s sake! What man does that?! He’s such a gentleman, but not afraid to stand up for himself and other people. I know he’s always been kind of a player, but I just don’t think that’s who he really is.”
Ember and Kelsea exchange a knowing look, and I realize I’ve revealed way too much.
“It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this, babe,” Kelsea says.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s not interested in me like that and his friendship is important to me. I won’t ruin it over a silly crush,” I tell them, picking at the skin around my fingernails.
“But what if he is?” Ember suggests.
“Are you kidding me? Have you looked at him? Guys like that don’t end up with girls like me, Ember. It just doesn’t happen,” I tell her, and she furrows her brows.
“That’s bullshit and you know it. You’re beautiful, Magnolia, whether you believe it or not. And you’re caring and funny. You’re so fucking smart, you could run this business by yourself! He would be the luckiest man alive to be with you!” Kelsea replies, her raised voice drawing attention from Malcolm where he stands behind the front counter.
“If he asked me…” I say, barely above a whisper. As if putting the words out into the universe will set something into motion I don’t know if I’m ready for. “I’d be his, if he asked.”
My admission makes Ember and Kelsea both smile widely, their eyes already plotting how they’re going to make this happen.
“Magnolia, do you know the definition of work?” Malcolm asks, and I scoff. All I ever do here is work. Hell, I do his job and mine most days.
“Fuck off, maggot,” Kelsea says, flipping him off. I’m jealous of her newfound freedom since quitting.
“Kelsea. You’re looking thicker than usual. Have you put on weight?” He says, and my jaw hits the floor. How fucking dare this man make any comment on a woman’s body! She just had a baby!
“I don’t know. Let’s ask my husband, shall we?” she replies, and his face pales.
He tries and fails to cover the fear in his eyes when Kelsea mentions calling Everett. We all know Malcolm is a chickenshit, but it’s so nice to prove it every once in a while. Without another word, he walks back in to the stockroom. Kelsea gives him a little wave, giggling as he walks away.
“I swear, I hate that man. When are you gonna tell Becca you already run this place so she can fire him?” Kelsea asks, and I grimace.
“It’s fine, really. I can ignore him most days. Besides, Becca doesn’t take me seriously, Kels. She would never let me run this place the way I want to,” I tell them, daydreaming about all the things I could do here.
“But you don’t even know that, Mags. You’ve never asked her,” Ember says, and I sigh. I know she’s right, but I still don’t want to hear it.
The biggest obstacle to achieving my dreams has always been me. I was taught to be seen, but not heard. Most of the time, I’m scared to go after the things I really want. I don’t know if it’s the fear or rejection or failure that scares me the most. But I do know that I’ll never be anything more than I am right now if I don’t find a way to get over it.
