Magnolia Parks: The Long Way Home (Magnolia Parks Universe, #3)

by Jessa Hastings

“You think I didn’t know he’d defend your honour when he saw me shagging some girl in a club?” He rolls his eyes. “It’s sweet—” He waves his hand dismissively. “How much he loves you.” I stare over at him, a bit incredulous. No. Could he really have? I squint at him. “Did you really do that for me or is this just a happy coincidence?” He gives me this long look, the question hangs there and I don’t know what the answer is. There’s so much he’s not saying in the silence, I can feel it all thick with things I don’t know. Whatever it is, it makes me feel a peculiar tenderness towards him that I didn’t want to feel while I was doing this. Julian clears his throat and gives me a tight smile. “You know what? I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve fallen into the ranks of men who find that there’s very little that they wouldn’t do for you, Magnolia Parks.” My face softens. “Oh my god.” I walk over to him, sit down on his bed. “Are you being serious?” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “He needed to feel good enough for you. Nothing ups a lad’s confidence like fighting for the girl he loves—”

OMG WHAT