Her eyes light up. “Oh, I love a man with options. Let’s start with business and work our way up.”

Magnolia groans. “Oh my God.”

I smirk, leaning forward. “Fine. Business version? Magnolia is the smartest investment I could make—for my future, my happiness, and everything that comes next.”

Violet lets out a hum of approval, nodding. “Not bad. And the emotionally vulnerable version?”

My smirk fades into something more honest, more real. “I love her. Completely.”

The words come easy because they’re the truest thing I’ve ever said.

Violet’s teasing fades. A flicker of something unreadable crosses her face, something softer. “Good answer.”

Magnolia shifts beside me, her fingers tightening around mine under the table.

“Do I have your stamp of approval?”

She chews on the stir stick, like a cat playing with her food. “For now.”

She eases off the interrogation—a little.

We settle into something that resembles normal conversation, but there’s an undercurrent to it. A constant evaluation. She’s still watching me, still testing me, even if it’s not obvious.

Magnolia nudges her knee against mine under the table. “You holding up okay?”

She has no idea the things I’ve endured. “I’ve survived worse.”

“You’re a tough one. I’ll give you that. And speaking of being tough––” Violet twirls her finger, gesturing to my face. “How’s the other guy look?”

Magnolia tenses beside me.

No hesitation. “He looks like someone who shouldn’t have fucked with Magnolia.”

“You protected my girl. I like that.” Violet hums, nodding. “Much respect.”

I expected pushback—a lecture about how violence solves nothing or how I’m a walking red flag for swinging first and thinking second.

No reprimand. No judgment.

Only respect.

Violet waves a hand, casual but deliberate. “For the record, I like you. You’re good for her.”

Winning Violet over feels bigger than any game or championship I’ve ever won.

“Don’t fuck this up, Sebring.”

“I won’t. Because Magnolia’s the biggest win of my life. No offense to my rugby career.”

Violet lifts her glass, holding it upwards, and I tap my drink against hers. “Cheers.”

And just like that, I’m in with her.

Violet made me work for it, but I passed. And for the first time tonight, my shoulders relax, and I breathe a little easier.

Chapter 31

Magnolia Steel

The hum of the jet engine fades into a whisper as we taxi toward the private hangar in Dallas. Alex’s hand is resting on my thigh, his thumb tracing circles over my leg. He doesn’t appear nervous on the outside, but I know him. I see the way his jaw flexes, like he’s bracing for something.

We’ve made this trip like a team, the two of us showing up together.