I lean into him, closing my eyes for a moment, memorizing the way this feels. Like being found. Like being home. And maybe… I am. Because this instinct to protect, to show up, to be each other’s safe place is what a real partnership looks like.

Not polished, not perfect. Messy. Inconvenient. Raw and real in the ways that matter.

But I’m not running from it now. I’m running toward it.

Toward him.

Chapter 37

Magnolia Steel

The wheels bump against the tarmac, and I exhale.

Charleston.

Home.

But is it really?

I pull out my phone, thumbs flying across the screen as I shoot a quick text to Violet.

Just landed.

She takes all of two seconds to respond.

We’re here! Can’t miss us. I’m the one waving like a crazy person.

She better not be wearing that ridiculous inflatable dinosaur suit again—or waving some embarrassing giant sign like last time.

Love the girl, I do, but if she pulls that stunt today—especially with Alex’s brother there—I might just pretend I don’t know her.

I tap Alex’s name, bringing the phone to my ear. It rings once before he picks up.

“You made it, babe?” His voice wraps around me like a second skin.

“Just touched down,” I say, looking out the window for Violet’s SUV.

“Always relieved to hear that.”

“It was a pleasant flight. Smooth. Quiet. I slept a little.”

“I’m glad. You need your rest.”

“Thank you again for the plane. For…everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” His voice deepens, drops into that soft, serious place that always makes my heart ache. “I’m happy to do it. Anytime. But only if you keep using it to come back to me in Dallas.”

My breath catches, a stupid, giddy smile tugging at my mouth. “Missing me already, huh?”

“Yeah, well, I’m kind of stuck on you,” he says, rough affection bleeding into his voice.

The words land somewhere soft and tender inside me, cracking something open in my chest.

“I’m kind of stuck on you too.”

The plane slows, the engines shifting to an idle hum, and the seat belt sign dings off overhead.

Time to move.

I adjust my grip on my carry-on and lean against the armrest for just a second longer.

“Vi and Elias are here to pick me up, but I’ll call you later, okay?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I love you.” Those three words have become more natural to me than breathing.

“Love you more.” I can imagine the grin tugging at his mouth.

I step down onto the tarmac, the thick Charleston heat washing over me like a wave.

I spot them, Violet waving like she’s trying to flag down a plane. Beside her stands a man I haven’t seen in months—not since Samoa.

Elias spots me, his face lighting up.