All Chapters of Collide: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Dani spent the next few days hopelessly trying to triage her emotions and figure out what she should do with the story Levi had told her. She spent hours rocking on the porch swing sipping wine, throwing pebbles into the water down at Avalon, and watching the ripples for some kind of sign. She also studiously avoided talking directly to Maggie. What could she say? She couldn’t share what Levi had told her. She was almost positive Maggie would keep the secret, but it wasn’t her secret to share. She was expecting her to show up in her driveway any time now, however, since she hadn’t replied to her calls with anything other than cryptic texts about not feeling well and not wanting Maggie to catch anything from her. If it was only as simple as an illness, she would be over in a few days. She was rather surprised she hadn’t heard a peep from Levi in the last few days either, but it was just as well. She still had no idea what she would say to him. At first, it had been truly shocking to le

Levi blinked, his eyes straining to make out his surroundings in the bright morning light streaming in through the windows. As shapes solidified, he saw lots of white and a small lump of red curls lying on the bed next to his arm. Dani. His hand went up to stroke her head and she jumped like she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning. He chuckled but then groaned as the pain in his side bit into him. “Levi! Oh thank God, you’re awake!” Dani grabbed his hand tightly in hers. “I was so scared. You lost so much blood!”“I’m apparently hard to kill,” he quipped, bringing her hand to his lips as he held on tightly, but then he turned sober. “What about Debbie?”Dani’s face grew hard. “She lived, damn her. You tore up her shoulder but she made it through surgery. The sheriff has her handcuffed to the bed and a deputy stationed outside her door. I hope she’s in pain.”Levi blew out a relieved breath. As horrible as the woman was and as much trouble as she had caused him and his mother, he didn’t

“I look like a giant vanilla cupcake with sprinkles!” Dani yelled from the dressing room. “I’m not wearing it!” Maggie rolled her eyes heavenward in the private, oversized waiting area at Patsy’s Bridal Boutique. She had chosen a dozen dresses for Dani to try on and this was number 11. Her best friend had vetoed every one. “Just come out and let us see!” With her slim figure, alabaster skin and riot of red curls, her bestie looked good in everything. Maggie knew, however, finding the perfect wedding dress was going to be a challenge given Dani’s preference for scrubs and casual clothes. She heard what could only be described as a growl from Dani as the door to the dressing room was held open by the saleswoman, who slinked out like a beaten down dog. Dani marched past her to the little stage in front of the large three–way mirrors like a soldier going off to war. She stood there glaring at her entourage.Maggie held her hand up to her mouth, discreetly covering the smile trying to brea

Two Months ago“Dani!” Maggie cried, seeing her oldest friend sitting in her café, Common Grounds. She ran across the room with her arms outstretched dodging tables and patrons alike.Maggie held Dani at arms’ length and looked her up and down. “You haven’t changed a bit! I can’t believe you’re finally here in my place! It’s been killing me to know you were in town and not seeing you, but I know how busy you’ve been with Miss Lu. Did Eustace get the King Ranch casserole we sent?”“He did and I’m lucky I got a bite! And I’m sorry about not getting in here sooner, Maggie, truly. I’ve wanted to get by but once I get done helping to take care of Aunt Lu at the hospital all day, I’ve only had enough energy to go fall into bed.” Dani hugged her friend again. “Now that she’s getting close to being released, I hope we can get together for a girls’ night soon.”“Anytime, Dani, anytime.” Maggie turned her beaming smile toward the man sitting with her friend at the table. He had sandy blonde hai

Maggie made her way quickly to the door of the café when she heard a noise like someone was trying to kick it in. The café wasn’t open yet and she had been in the back prepping silverware and menus for the tables. When she looked through the glass, she saw a huge bouquet of pink roses in a large crystal vase standing on a pair of skinny legs in holey jeans and black Chuck Taylors. “Well, what in the world?” she mumbled as she opened the door. With the tinkling of the bell, the flowers suddenly grew a head.“Hi there, Maggie!”“Junior? Junior Garcia, is that really you?” Maggie asked, her eyes wide. “Last time I saw you, I was babysitting you and now you’re all grown up!”Junior’s tawny skin bloomed pink. “Uh, yeah. A little. I think I was 10 when you and Cheri graduated. I’m delivering flowers for Mr. Anderson while I’m home on break. His regular delivery guy broke his leg on a skateboard, so no driving.”“Well come on in! Here, you can just put those down on the counter. They look h