Page 60 of Forever To Me

Twenty minutes later, we are deep in the trenches. And I mean deep. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and the most fun I’ve ever had. I’ve never laughed so hard at all the ensembles we’re putting together.

Mack and I are trying on the most ridiculous outfits we can find, and Maggie is cry-laughing when Mack steps out in a floral blazer straight out of the ‘80s with puffed sleeves.

I spin in a hideous sequined prom dress, arms wide. “Maggie, be honest. Could you see me wearing this?”

Mack shakes her head. “If I ever see you in that in public, I’m pretending I don’t know you.”

Maggie wipes away tears of laughter. “Oh, honey, you look like a Vegas lounge singer on her last night before retirement.”

Mack collapses against the dressing room door, howling.

Well, I’m glad I can provide the entertainment. And it feels so good to see them smile, despite how shitty the past twenty-four hours have been.

By the time we leave the thrift store, our arms are full of clothes, accessories, and a few things Maggie insisted we needed, like a hideous owl-shaped cookie jar. Where she plans to put that, I don’t know.

Mack groans as we load up the truck. “I cannot believe we spent over two hours in there. I’m so hungry. We need food.”

Maggie beams. “And we had so much fun.”

I settle into the passenger seat, exhaling slowly.

This morning, I woke up feeling uncertain about everything.

But right now, I feel full.

And not just because of the ridiculous amount of stuff Maggie made us buy.

Maggie loves Mack and Walker fiercely, I can see it in every tiny action—the way she fusses over Mack’s hair, the way she playfully slaps Walker’s arm when he gets too broody, the way she looks at them like they’re the best thing she ever helped build.

And somehow, she’s dragged me into this circle, too.

Like she’s decided I belong.

I don’t know what to do with that.

I don’t know if I should trust it.

But as Maggie drives us to more errands, the sun dipping low over the town that has somehow wrapped itself around my heart, I think…

Maybe I want to.

Maybe I’m ready to.

For the first time in a long time.

If Maggie can let them in, maybe I can stop being a big baby and let them in, too. But the problem isn’t with me. Walker doesn’t seem to want to let me in. Although, he is letting me stay at his home. That’s something.

By the time we pull into the Bridger Falls General store, my stomach is growling, and Mack is already plotting a snack heist like we’re about to go on a twelve-hour road trip instead of buying comfort food snacks and planning an epic sleepover.

“We need all the essentials,” Mack declares as we step inside. The automatic doors barely have time to shut before she beelines for the chip aisle.

I glance at Maggie. She gives Mack a look like they havean inside joke between the two of them. “I swear, if this turns into another ‘let’s see who can eat the most sour gummies without puking’ contest again, I’m leaving you both at the store.”

Mack waves her off, already shoving a family-sized bag of Hot Cheetos into our basket. “Maggie, please. This is a sophisticated operation. I’m grown up now. I don’t barf when I eat junk like I did when I was nine.”

Maggie snorts. “You say that like you won’t be double-fisting those hot Cheetos and soda in an hour.”

Mack pauses. “Fair.” Then she grabs two more bags for good measure.

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