Chapter 9. Chasing the Magic

Sienna

I hadn’t gotten ready like he’d ordered me to over the phone—and why would I? I wasn’t about to let that asshole win, no matter what had happened between us.

So here I was, trying to bury myself in a book. Mom always used books to distract herself, so I figured I could too. Except it wasn’t working for me the way it did for her. My eyes glazed over the words, but my brain refused to quiet.

By the time I was halfway down the fifth page, Mom’s voice echoed from downstairs.

“Evelyn, come here!”

“Why?” I shouted back.

“Just come here. You’ll see.”

With a sigh, I dropped the book and dragged myself down the stairs—only to freeze at the bottom.

Alex stood at the doorway. Roses in his hand. A smile on his face. Not his usual cocky smirk, but a real, genuine smile.

“Ma’am, you’re even prettier than Jacob described,” he said warmly, handing her the bouquet. “Pretty flowers for a pretty lady.”

Mom laughed, actually laug