Page 69 of False Confidence

Jazz had only gotten her job because she was Maggie’s friend, and no matter how much being around them stung, she loved her family too much to walk away.

“I’m not you Maggie. I don’t bounce back when shit goes sideways. I can’t just call it quits with my parents and ride off into the sunset with someone because he’s the first person to treat me well.” The words shot out of her mouth like bullets, each one heading straight for her best friend.

Maggie shrank back, hurt flashing in her eyes and horror filled Jazz. Why the fuck had she said that?

“Oh my God, Maggie, I didn’t mean that. I don’t even know where that came from, I don’t think any of that. Fuck. I’m so sorry.”

Maggie pursed her lips, nodding once. “It’s fine. I know you don’t mean it.”

“It’s not fine. There’s zero excuse for me to lash out like that. I know you’re just trying to help.”

Maggie reached out and rubbed her shoulder. “We’ve said worse to each other over the years. It’s fine. Seriously. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t be talking about this if I didn’t think this thing between the two of you was worth it. He’s a good guy, Jazz.”

Like that was the problem. Liam wasn’t just a good guy; he’d raised the bar so damn high she knew no one would ever be able to compete. Liam would never lash out at a friend like she had. Liam would never lie because he couldn’t handle talking about his feelings. Liam would never give up just because something was a little tricky. Which meant Liam wouldn’t give up on her, even when she gave up on herself, time and time again.

“I like him. More than like probably. And I want more with him. I want everything you said and more, but I’m scared. I don’t think I’m ready to deal with it all right now.”

“He’s not rushing you. He just doesn’t want to hide you away. And you deserve better than that, anyway.” Doubtful.

But Liam had already done so much for her. Even if it made his parents look at her differently, she could do this for him. “Fine. I don’t mind if his parents find out, but I really don’t want it to be a whole big thing.”

“We can tell them over dinner this weekend. We’ll casually mention that you’re seeing each other, and they’ll be fine with it. I promise.” Maggie gave her a reassuring smile that did nothing to soothe the anxiety coiling in her stomach.

For Liam. She could do this for Liam.

Liam jumped out of his car on cloud fucking nine, walking up the stone pathway to his dad and Maggie’s place. He had thirty minutes before he had to leave to pick Jasmine up from her yoga class, and got to tell her the news in person, which gave him just enough time to tell his dad and Maggie.

“Knock, knock,” he called as he stepped into their hallway.

“In the living room,” his dad shouted back.

Liam headed in, finding his dad and Maggie sitting side by side on the couch, Peach curled up with her head on Maggie’s lap and her tail on his dad’s. It didn’t look comfortable, but she was snoring softly.

“Hey,” Liam said, sinking into the seat opposite them, practically vibrating with excitement.

“You look happy,” his dad commented, while Maggie narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“I have exciting news.”

“Go on.”

Liam took a deep breath. “You’re going to be grandparents!”

He realized his mistake the second the words left his mouth, as the blood drained from both of their faces.

“Maggie’s too young to be a grandma, she’s not even thir?—”

“JAZZ IS PREGNANT?” Maggie jumped to her feet, Peach rolling onto the plush carpet and meowing begrudgingly. “My best friend is pregnant and you’re the one telling me? Are you kidding me?”

Liam rose slowly to his feet, holding up his hands. “Jazz isn’t pregnant.” This was, without a doubt, the worst way he could’ve phrased it.

Genuine rage filled Maggie’s face. “You got someone else pregnant? What the fuck, Liam? What happened to the best date of your life? What happened to a fun story to tell your fucking grandkids one day? I vouched for you. I told her you were a good?—”

“No one is pregnant,” he said, raising his voice enough to be heard over Maggie’s tirade. She stopped pacing in front of the couch and glared at him.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I’m not sleeping with anyone other than Jazz, and this is not the cute way to tell you I’m adopting a puppy like I thought it would be.”

---