Misfortune and Mr. Right (Only Magic in the Building)

by Savannah Scott

The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back. ~ Wendy Wunder

Gran was my safe place to land, my cheerleader, and the quirkiest little woman—a lot like Megan. They shared a love of whimsy and the ability to fully believe in anything absurd or delightful. Not a skeptical bone between them.

She’s feisty, stubborn, and driven. But also soft, deeply compassionate, and loyal. I’ve achieved everything I ever set my mind to. Everything but convincing Olivia Pennington that I’m not the devil incarnate.

He’s always got that Mona Lisa look about him—like he’s half smiling, half plotting your death, half constipated. Yes. That’s three halves. There’s more to Logan Alexander than meets the eye. He doesn’t math.

I can’t even believe mine. Is this a joke? And how on earth will I read this to her? The love of your life is right in front of your eyes. Olivia glances up, daring me to go first.

That wink. It’s so devastating. Or it would be on someone more susceptible to his charm. I’ll give Logan that. The man knows how to wink. His wink is nearly as delicious as this pastry.

Gil leans in. “I’m curious about what you told Spike.” “What’s that?” My eyes are still on Olivia. She’s laughing with Megan. They’ve been joined by two guys who played on our football team. “You haven’t found the one?” Gil asks. “I haven’t.” “I think you have.”

I extend my hand, and Olivia looks up at me, a note of challenge in her eyes. I smile down at her. I hope she never stops challenging me. I hope she’s always here, with me, extending a dare or holding her ground. I hope we race one another until we can’t run anymore, and then we’ll race with our walkers or wheelchairs. I need her. I’ve always needed her.

“Trust me,” she persists. “The way that man was looking at you—was not neutral.”

Sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect them, like falling in love with someone you never saw coming. ~ Brianna Wiest

She’s leaning on the doorframe for support, her flat palm on her belly, laughing uncontrollably. I smile at her. What else can I do? I’m so busted. “It’s his favorite song,” I say, as if that’s a reasonable explanation for why I was doing dad dance moves in my living room, alone with my dog.

I feel my face flush simply at the thought of him holding me so proficiently, swaying me, tugging me near, looking down into my eyes, twirling me away and drawing me back to himself. I let out a barely recognizable sigh. Am I really sighing over Logan Alexander?

I look up from Logan’s feet and meet his smirky smile and those eyes that have always had a direct shot to my heart. Whaaat? I mean, my … nothing. Logan Alexander doesn’t have a straight shot to my anything.

Logan returns with a handful of treats. He looks over at me and waggles his brows. “This is going to do you in, Pennington. You already loved my dog. Now he’s going to be irresistible.” He’s not the only one who is irresistible. I smile at Logan.

I finally woke up to something I’d been dancing around for a long time. You are the only one I want. I know you, Olivia. And you are it for me.”

Instead of saying anything else, he leans in and kisses me softly. This kiss is patient, tender, comfortable. It’s like coming home—coming home to Logan Alexander.

You just gotta do everything you can to get to the one woman who's gonna make all this worth it. At the end of the day, you gotta jump. ~ Jim Halpert

“After a decent amount of struggle, I’ll always give in to you. Your happiness is my ultimate goal in life.”

“Kiss me, Alexander,” she says. “Why don’t you kiss me?” I tease her. And she does.