Page 54 of Alistair

She leaned into him for a hug and he willingly gave it.

He felt something vibrate and she said, “Oop, my phone.” She gave him a quick peck and said, “That could have turned into something really romantic there, sorry.”

He groaned with a laugh.

“Hi, Penny,” she said as she answered the phone. “I thought you guys weren’t getting home until Saturday.”

Maggie put the phone on speaker and set it on the coffee table.

“I’m still in Florida. I just had to call you and apologize.”

“Okay, I’m listening,” Maggie said.

“I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you at the wedding. You and Alistair. I was so stressed about the whole day, and then Seth said that Alistair shoved him for no reason and really got in Brian’s face, demanding that we kick Alistair out of the reception. When Brian refused, Seth threatened to have a chat with Brian’s boss about his employment. So we’ve spent the last few days worrying about whether Brian even has a job.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s awful. I’m sorry,” Maggie said. She settled back in Alistair’s embrace. “I can’t imagine Brian’s boss firing him because Seth said so, though.”

“Well, he does have sway with the boss. One of Brian’s work friends reached out and said that Seth did try to get Brian fired. Can you believe it?”

“Wow. What an ass.”

“I know, right? But anyway, Seth ended up getting fired. It turns out that Brian’s boss was in the hallway during thewedding and saw everything that happened. Brian called and talked to him a little while ago and he said that he was willing to let things go, but then Seth tried to make trouble and so they decided to fire him. So Brian’s boss confirmed that everything you said happened is the truth, and I can’t tell you what a bitch I feel like for not trusting you.”

Maggie glanced at Alistair. “You were stressed and Seth was causing a scene. I wish you’d trusted me, but I’m not going to hold it against you.”

Penny sniffled loudly, then blew her nose. “You’re the best sister. I’m so sorry. To you and Alistair. When we get back from the honeymoon, I want to have dinner together so we can all get to know each other.”

“I’d love that. We’re busy this weekend, but how about next weekend?”

“Perfect. I’ll need a vacation from my vacation. It turns out that Brian’s the kind of guy who likes to get up and go to the gym at the butt crack of dawn every day, even on our honeymoon!”

“You didn’t know that before? You lived with him for a year.”

“He never gets up this early at home, but he keeps saying he doesn’t want to waste a minute of our vacation, so early to the gym and then he runs me ragged all day doing all the sightseeing stuff.”

Maggie laughed. “I’m glad you’re having fun, though.”

“I am. Okay, I just wanted to reach out because I didn’t want you to think for a minute longer that I was mad at you or that I don’t want you in my life, because I do very much. I want us to be closer than we are. You’re my only sister. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“All right, Brian’s waving at me like a loon and pointing at his watch. We’re doing a sunset dinner cruise. I hope I don’t get seasick.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”

They said goodbye and the call ended. Maggie blew out a breath. “Wow.”

“So do you think she was mad at you this whole time?”

“Sure seems like it! I didn’t even know she was still mad, I just figured she moved on. I’m glad that Brian’s boss backed up what we told them.”

“Yeah, but she should have sided with you from the beginning. You’re family.”

Maggie grimaced. “I know. I didn’t want to make her feel worse. She called to get that off her chest and make herself feel better by finding out if I was really mad at her or not.”

He pulled her close and tipped her face to his. “That was really kind of you. Which is why I know you’re going to make an amazing alpha female.”

She kissed him, then said, “I feel like I can finally put the whole business with my ex in the past and leave it there. I felt tethered to him in some weird way with Penny and Brian’s relationship with him, and the way Penny didn’t really support me. Now that he tried to hurt Brian, suddenly they’re on my side.” She smiled. “I kind of don’t care how they got on my side, I’m just glad they’re on it now.”

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