Page 25 of Inevitable Love
“Yeah,” I interject. “We just did a zip line tour and are headed home now.”
Alice dives into the details of what her new deal means, and she and Maggie talk endlessly about the plans. And all the while, we’re sitting still in a convenience store parking lot.
“So you two spent the day together, huh?” Alice chirps, and I can’t tell what the underlying tone is.
“Yeah. It’s been on my bucket list for a while, and they had a cancellation. Maggie took pity on me and didn’t make me do it alone.”
“Huh,” my sister replies. “It’s so weird to see you two hanging out together.”
Maggie’s gaze flies to mine, her eyes wide and full of knowledge. Something about that look turns my happy mood sour.
Alice continues, “But since I have you both, guess what other good news I have?”
I’m terrified to even guess, still reeling over Maggie’s expression after Alice basically shut down any possibility ofthere being anything beyond friendship between us. Even if I’ve been there in the past and know it’s not a good idea.
I’m suddenly acutely aware of the way Maggie’s T-shirt clings to her breasts. The bag of candy is nestled in the crease of her thighs as she leans forward to talk to Alice, and it slips to the side. I slide my hand along the curve of her thigh to rescue it. At her wide-eyed shock, I shake the bag of candy innocently.
Am I jealous she’s giving my sister attention? No. But at the same time, Alice is part of the reason we can’t consider exploring anything beyond friendship. And I’m so torn between wanting Maggie and not wanting to jeopardize the truce we’ve come to, or damage all the work Alice and I have done to repair our relationship.
“Not only did I get the reunion gig. But I’m also moving back to town,” Alice exclaims, and icy-cold dread slices my stomach at the question rambling around in my head.
I don’t want to ask, but I need to know. “By yourself?”
“Yeah. Mom’s staying here.”
Cold, swift relief washes through me, quickly followed by a bitter afterburn. Mom hasn’t been back since the divorce. She says there’s no reason for her to come back when I can just as easily come to her. No reason. Like the fact her son is here doesn’t rate high on her priority list. Though she does see my sister and brother regularly. Guess I know where I get my itchiness from. She hit hard times and got the hell out of dodge.
“Jackson,” Alice starts, and I can’t tell if that’s remorse or warning in her tone. We’ve been through this a dozen times in the past.
“It’s no big deal. Just curious.”
“So where are you staying?” Maggie asks, breaking some of the tension that comes when talking about Mom.
“I’ve found a studio at the loft, but it’s not available until the end of the month. I’m hoping one of you will let me stay with you for a few weeks.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Of course.”
Maggie and I answer at the same time.
“Okay, I’ve got to say it. It’s weird, the two of you being together. Like, I knew you guys went hiking and stuff. I guess I didn’t realize you were actually spending time together. But I’m going to let it slide for now because I’m getting another call that I need to take. Maggie, I’ll take you up on your offer because you’re cleaner and we can plan the reunion, because of course, you’ll be doing all my baked treats!” Her voice trills up at the end of that sentence. “Okay, love you, bye.”
The line falls dead, and that weird awkwardness is back between me and Maggie. Any thought of a friends-with-benefits deal dies a slow, agonizing death.
At least she’s talking to me again. And I have my job interview to look forward to. This sexual tension between us is just going to have to be one of those things I get over.
If things go my way, I’ll be leaving town soon, anyway.
Maggie and I are back to friends, and I never want to lose that. Bonus, my sister is coming back to town, and I’ve missed her, even if she’s an unintentional cockblocker.
“Wanna take the top off?” I offer, trying to return to the playful mood we had before that phone call. Truthfully, I just want to see Maggie’s eyes light up again, get us out of the heavy stuff and back in the fun zone.
Damn my sister for ruining a perfectly good afternoon.
Chapter Nine
Maggie
