Her words land like a slap. How does she get to be the one who’s angry when she’s the one who cut me loose?

What the fuck is happening here?

This is not my Magnolia.

It’s like I’m talking to someone else.

Her eyes lock on mine, challenging me.

My gaze drops for half a second—just enough to confirm what I already suspected. She isn’t wearing the pendant I gave her. The one she said she’d never take off.

A sharp pang hits me right smack in the center of my heart. I’m not sure why I hoped she would still wear it.

“Can we go somewhere and talk?”

Magnolia’s lips press into a thin line, her chest rising and falling in fast breaths. Her hands tremble, but she squares her shoulders, meeting my gaze head-on with defiance burning in her eyes. “Sure. Might as well clear the air so you can move on guilt-free with your life.”

The guy steps between us, his posture rigid, blocking me from her like I’m a threat. “You okay?”

Magnolia’s expression softens for him. “I’m fine, Colton.”

Colton doesn’t seem to be convinced of that. And neither am I.

“Are you sure? Because you don’t seem fine.”

His gaze flickers to me, his posture stiffening like he’s ready to do something about it if necessary.

As if.

I size him up with a glance. Next to him, I look like I was built for war, and he looks like he got lost on the way to yoga class.

He’s pretty. And blond. Not her type.

But maybe her type has changed.

Her eyes flick to me, sharp as glass. “He won’t hurt me… physically, at least.”

His eyes sweep over me again, lingering a second too long on my frame. It’s clear he’s weighing his odds—and not liking them. Still, he gives a tight nod.

“You’ve got my number if you need me.”

She gives him a fucking smile. “Thanks, Colton.”

It pisses me off, watching them talk about me like I’m some threat she needs guarding against. Like I’m the villain skulking in the shadows, ready to hurt her. Once, I was the one she trusted to keep her safe. Once, she looked at me like I was her shelter from every storm.

Now I’m the threat she needs saving from?

Magnolia jerks her chin toward the parked cars. “Let’s get this over with.”

I brace myself for a drive thick with silence and tension, already steeling my nerves for it. But no. The second she shifts into gear, her phone connects to the speakers, and music fills the car almost instantly.

Of course there’s music. This is Magnolia. She’s never been one to sit in silence.