Page 4 of All I Want

Callie’s grin widened. “I knew it. Why didn’t you say anything? Did he break your heart? How dare he.”

Maggie laughed, and then ducked her head, focusing on the exceptionally delicious toffee cookie she was picking apart.

“Not exactly. We dated in high school and for most of college. He got traded to the Strikers the semester before I graduated. He was coming here, and I was going to med school in Chicago. We were young, and long-distance relationships rarely work. It was easier to just end it.”

“Oh, Maggie.”

Maggie shrugged. “Yeah, he didn’t agree with my decision, but it was the right one. His career was about to take off.”

“You were clearly in love and could’ve gone to med school here.”

“Young love rarely lasts. I saved us the heartache. My path was already set for school in Chicago. What if he was traded again? I had to put school first, and I don’t regret it. Well,” she paused. “Most of the time I don’t regret it.”

“So, you haven’t seen him since?”

“I mean, I’ve spotted him around our hometown a few times, but I rarely visited my parents while I was in med school. We somehow managed to avoid running into each other. Last night was the first time I’d talked to him in almost five years.”

“Wow. How did that go?”

Maggie huffed out a laugh. “It was awkward as hell.”

“So, what happens now? You going to keep avoiding him?”

“I don’t know. No. I shouldn’t avoid him. It’s childish. Honestly, I have no clue what to do. I miss him, our friendship. We went through a lot and that connection is probably what I miss the most.”

“Yeah, I’m sure that’s the only thing you miss.”

Heat flared in her cheeks as she picked at her second cookie.

“That’s what I thought.”

“It doesn’t matter. I bet he’s dating someone now, and why would he want anything to do with the girl that broke up with him when we were kids?”

“First of all, you never know how accurate those dating rumors are, and second, you weren’t kids and you had your reasons. But more importantly, there’s clearly still something there on your end and you can’t blame geography anymore.”

“It’s still not a good idea. I have my residency to focus on. Even if for some crazy reason he wanted to, I don’t have time to date.” Yeah, that was a valid reason—excuse.

“You know what, we’re going out. You have Saturday night off, right?”

She eyed Callie. “Yes. But I planned to catch up on sleep.”

“Lame. Max is watching Aiden Saturday night and we are going out,” Callie stated.

Maggie hesitated.

“Come on. You had a rough day and I know you have zero social life.”

“Hey.”

“Don’t argue. We are going out. I’ll bring a few friends and it’ll be a girls’ night. You need to meet more people anyway. You’re going to be with us for at least another two years.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“That means yes.”

Maggie laughed but didn’t disagree. She could use a night out.

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