Page 42 of Deception & Daylight
“Can I get one of those pretty cupcakes?” I ask, pointing to the delicately frosted confection that looks like a hydrangea in vibrant shades of pink and purple.
“Make that two,” Paige says, snapping photos of the display. “They’re beautiful. I almost don't want to eat it.”
“Livie made ‘em,” Rosie says, gesturing towards her granddaughter who’s working the other side of the booth. “I’d love to take credit for teaching her everything she knows, but this is far beyond even my talents. I keep tellin’ her she should open up a bakery.”
“And I toldyouI’m content to stock your display case and leave the business running in more capable hands,” she says. “Hi. I’m Olivia. My friends call me Livie.”
“Maggie. Nice to finally meet you. Rosie’s always singing your praises. I’d love to get a few words for the paper if you have time?” She glances around the crowd then back at Rosie, who shoos her away with a wave of her hand. “I won’t keep her for too long. I have to get over the bachelor auction soon.”
“Mmmhmm. I bet you do.” Rosie winks, inciting another eye roll from me. I quickly scarf down the delicious cupcake as Livie leads us down the sidewalk towards the park.
“What was all that about?” she asks as we each take a side of a nearby park bench, Paige standing nearby as she makes a sandwich out of her cupcake.
I rummage through my messenger bag, pulling out my notebook and fumbling for a pen amongst the crumpled receipts and loose change. “Oh nothing. Rosie loves to give me shit about my boyfriend.”
“Wait. You’re Miles’ Maggie?”
I snort through a laugh, flipping to a fresh page in my notebook. “Figures you’d know a thing or two being related to Rosie and all.”
“For what it’s worth, I heard it directly from the source. I’ve been spending my mornings at the diner and Miles hasn’t been able to shut up about his girlfriend. That man isn’t exactly known for being quiet,” she says, a familiar smile lining her features.
She looks so much like a younger version of Rosie it’s almost jarring. She’s beautiful, with long blonde waves cascading over her shoulders and striking blue eyes. While she has a few inches on my 5’1” stature, she's got curves I’d give my left tit for. Or both of my tits, as it were.
“It’s not every day Oak Ridge’s most eligible bachelor gets snatched up by an outta towner. Wait. Did you say he’s participating in the auction?”
“Yep. He offered to back out, but I refused to take that donation money away from Evie’s charity fund. It’s just one date. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Jen could happen,” Paige interjects, a scowl forming on her face as she glares across the open field towards the stage where the participants are lining up. Her gaze is fixed on the tall blonde with the smug smile on her face, but mine is trained on the sleazy douchebag standing beside Miles. Matty.
Fuck.
Miles
“Maggie’s lookin’ good,” Matty taunts. It’s a deliberate attempt to get under my skin, and unfortunately, it's working. The urge to punch him square in the jaw is almost overwhelming, but I rein it in for the sake of the audience and Evie’s charity fundraiser. “What I wouldn’t give to see those perky tits she’s hiding — oh shit, I already have.”
“If you think I won’t take my chances with the sheriff, you’re sorely mistaken. Keep my girlfriend’s name out of your fucking mouth.”
Adding yet another layer of fucked up to an already tense situation, Jen approaches the stage. “Hey Miles. Can’t wait to place a bid. For a good cause, I mean.”
My jaw ticks as I avert my gaze. This is the bitch who tried to get between Cade and Paige.
“Don’t waste your bid on me. I’m sure Matty here would be more than happy to take you out.” I plaster on my fake smile, keeping my tone impassive.
Her sly grin quickly turns to a scowl as she eyes my brother, lips curling in distaste. For a second, I wonder if they have history, but I don’t care enough to find out. They deserve each other.
After an intense stare down, Jen retreats to a seat in the front row, but my attention is drawn to the center aisle where a gorgeous brunette with fuck me eyes and painted pink lips is gliding towards the stage.
Finding a seat on the edge of the middle row, I watch as she places her bag over the back of the chair, then strips off her button down to reveal…fuck me sideways. She’s wearing a white tee with “Miles Barlow’s girlfriend” written in a bold font with hearts dotting the ‘i’s. She catches me staring and smirks, her hands joining to form a heart. Her melodic laughter reaches the stage, and it takes everything in me to stay rooted to the spot.
The hint of amusement in her eyes betrays her devious intentions, but I don’t think she understands the gravity of her claim. My entire hometown just witnessed her downfall, and she has no idea. Maggie Watson fucking owns me, body and soul, whether she likes it or not. It just became my sole purpose in life to change the word girlfriend to wife.
I catch Paige’s bemused expression as she and Cade approach, Sofia’s tiny hand gripping Cade’s shirt from the baby carrier strapped to his chest. As Maggie coos over our adorable niece, Paige’s attention is drawn to the front row, a scowl settling upon her normally pleasant features.
Two years ago, Cade went on a blind date with Jen that imploded spectacularly. A short while later, after Cade and Paige stopped dancing around each other, Jen approached them at The Ridge and said some truly vile shit to his girl. She left with her tail tucked between her legs and a vendetta against Paige that’s only festered over time.
These days they keep their distance, but Paige’s protective stance tells me she’s ready to jump in to defend her bestie should Jen get any bright ideas. Truthfully, I think Paige is underestimating Maggie — most people do — but my girl can hold her own. I’ve been on the receiving end of more than one of her well-placed jabs.
Before long, Russell Hayes steps up to the podium, announcing the beneficiaries of the bachelor auction along with the rules. “Proceeds from your bids will go to Ruby’s Cause in conjunction with the local elementary school, providing mental health services for children in need. In a few moments, I’ll introduce our eligible bachelors one by one. Prior to the event, each participant filled out a questionnaire, and their answers are available to you in the brochure. I’ll call out bids as they come in. The highest bid will win a date with the bachelor you’ve chosen. The terms of the date have been laid out in the brochure along with their stats. Happy bidding!”
