Page 63 of Offsides Attraction

“Twenty-one more to go.” She leaned her head from side to side, stretching her neck. Bash washed his hands and told Maggie he’d like to help as he pulled the bowl of sprinkles closer to him.

“I don’t think I can mess it up.”

“Of course you won’t, my sparkly friend,” she teased, as she playfully bumped her hip against him. “I love my chandelier. Thank you. It’s exactly what the space needed, and it makes me happy every time I look at it.”

“It was my pleasure.” He asked if Lucas was done with the summer honey extraction and if Cal and Three had fixed the irrigation system. Bash knew the answers from his nightly talks with Penny, but he hoped Maggie would fill him in on the other Buchanans, which she did, but she didn’t touch on the one he was most eager to hear about. The one who cut him off every time he brought up them. He licked his lips and swallowed. “How’s Penny?”

“Better. You broke her heart, you big dummy, but she’s adjusting. It’s been hard working with you, but she’s enjoying it.” Bash had been called many names, but no one had ever called him a big dummy.

“Good. That’s good to hear. And I know I can be difficult,” he said, appreciating her honesty.

“Penny doesn’t say difficult. She says you’re challenging. And a challenge is much better than a difficulty, don’t you think?” He nodded. Maggie Buchanan had missed her calling. She would have made an excellent counselor. Her verbal refrain was on par with the therapist he’d worked with since leaving Cascade City.

She touched his hand, and he startled, scattering glitter on the table. “She broke your heart, too, didn’t she?” Maggie’s light brown eyes filled with compassion and comfort, but he forced himself to look away. He’d been very clear with his therapist that he wanted to be more emotionally aware, but he didn’t want to wear his heart on his sleeve, saying, “Vander Vetters don’t do emotional displays like that.”

Bash chuckled, but it sounded more like a pained squawk. “I’m mending.”

“What happened?”

“Penny didn’t tell you?”

“She gave me some end-of-the-season, wasn’t-meant-to-be bull-crap story, but I’ve never seen her so hurt. What happened?” He leaned on the countertop and Maggie set down her frosting bag, laying her hand over his.

“I proposed, and she said no.”

Maggie’s eyes widened. “You told my sister you loved her, and she said no?”

“Not in those exact words, but yes, that’s what happened.”

Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “What words did you use?”

“That we had similar interests and goals and enjoyed each other’s company. Marriage made sense.”

“That’s not saying I love you. It’s not even close.” Maggie’s hand gripped his and her eyes flashed.

“Hey, I’d never said it before, so give me a break.” But he’d said it this morning. Five times. His therapist had started him with once a day and now they’d worked up to saying it five times. Bash had painfully learned that thinking he was awesome didn’t equate to loving himself. He’d felt ridiculous the first time he’d done it. Staring at himself in the mirror and looking into his eyes and saying, I love you. He’d cursed his therapist for wasting his time and money, but when it had taken him ten minutes to find the courage to say the words out loud, he’d felt gutted.

“I did the best I could, and it wasn’t good enough for her. Penny deserves more.”

“But she still loves you. I know she does.”

“What do you want me to do, Maggie? She said no.” Bash tried to pull his hand away, but she held tight.

“Ask again, but use the words in your heart, not your head.”

“What if I’ve changed my mind?” he asked, needing to buy time. If Penny still loved him, he had a second chance, but he knew she wouldn’t give him a third one. He had to get this right. He needed to study all the angles and possibilities. Make sure he devised the perfect play, so when he asked again, she’d easily say yes.

Maggie’s grip relaxed before giving him a reassuring squeeze. “But you haven’t,” she said, picking up the frosting bag and smiling. “You still love my sister,” she sang.

“I didn’t say that.” Bash swept the scattered glitter into a neat pile, feeling embarrassed and vulnerable. At least I’m not paying for this therapy session, he thought grumpily as he brushed the glitter into his hands and tossed it into the garbage. He should have asked Maggie before disposing of it, but she hadn’t stopped him.

“You didn’t have to. It’s written on your heart.”

Bash leaned against the counter and grabbed one of the overcooked cookies as his stomach grumbled. “You magicked me,” he said, sounding more relieved than accusatory. Maggie smirked and held two fingers close together, confirming she had magicked him a little. “I thought you couldn’t use magic that way. That you couldn’t poke into family members’ heads or the people who love them.” Not a full declaration, but I’m getting closer.

“Couldn’t and shouldn’t are two different things. But you’re right. I shouldn’t have done it, but I did. It was for the common good and I don’t regret it. Not if it gives you the courage to say the words.”

“Enough already. Just go out there and talk to the boy,” Nanna said, coming up to Penny as she stood at the window. “You’ve been staring at him for the last ten minutes. If you need an excuse, go show him the puppies. Those things are such a wiggly mess, you’ll have plenty to talk about.” Nanna gave her a gentle shove between the shoulder blades and the door smacked behind Penny before she had a chance to think.

---