Page 88 of The Weekend Crashers
When Maggie sat in that diner with Piper less than a week ago, she’d been so certain that what she and Piper needed most was togetherness. Now she understands that what they need is the opposite: They need time apart to be the fullest versions of themselves. And in order to accomplish that in a genuine, lasting way, Maggie has to find a way to make her own life and work meaningful. But she doesn’t know how to do that. Everywhere she looks, she sees through the lens of herself and Piper. She doesn’t know how to experience the world differently.
Maybe that’s because she needs a new world.
The Dragon Lady passes by on her way out the door. Her rheumy blue eyes meet Maggie’s, and she holds her gaze. “For the record,” Maggie says. “Iampaying attention.”
Chapter Forty
Friday
It’s late morning on her day off when Maggie arrives in New Hope. A mist still hangs over the river. Last night, she left a message for Belinda that she would be coming to town, that she’d like to see her.
Maggie parks at the inn, the same spot she pulled into one week ago exactly.
Inside, the familiar scent of the lobby hits her hard: Notes of cedar and coffee and pine give her a sharp pang of longing. And it’s a specific longing... for Aidan. The intensity of the feeling is disturbing. She doesn’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with that right now.
Belinda is behind the front desk. She’s dressed in a red-and-black plaid cardigan with pearl buttons and bell sleeves. She looks up and offers a small smile.
“Oh, dear. Maggie, I owed you a return phone call.”
“No, I oweyouan apology.” Maggie feels better just seeing her. “I didn’t mean to leave without saying goodbye.”
“No apology necessary,” Belinda says. She doesn’t ask what she’s doing back in town.
“I was hoping we could get coffee. But since you’re busy, I can always walk around until—”
Belinda holds up one finger. She picks up the desk phoneand dials. “Max, I need you to relieve me at the front desk.” There’s a pause, and then she says to him, “Really? Well, I have things to take care of too!”
Maggie is taken aback by the sharpness in her tone. She hasn’t heard Belinda raise her voice—not to Max, not to anyone. Belinda hangs up, looks at her and says, “Where to?”
“We can just go to Bucks Tavern if that’s easiest.”
“I’ve a better idea. Let’s have a change of scenery.”
Maggie follows her outside, through the parking lot with a right turn onto Main Street. The last time Maggie followed that path she was on the walking tour with Piper. How had that only been a week ago?
Two blocks down they reach Ferry Market, an old freight station that’s been converted into a buzzing food court. Belinda leads Maggie from vendor to vendor, pointing out her options: Brazilian. Mediterranean. Pizza. A candy stall. Yet another charming spot in New Hope. Maggie feels a surge of excitement.
She can’t wait to tell Belinda her idea.
Piper clasps Ethan’s hand, hoping she’s doing the right thing. New York City Hall is a grand-looking building in lower Manhattan, but the corridor in the Office of the City Clerk is dull and colorless. Rows of gray cushioned benches line the walls for waiting couples. The only decorations are municipal plaques and civic posters.
It’s not the place Piper envisioned them getting married, but in the wake of her mother’s toxic overinvolvement, the priority is moving forward. She’s wearing a simple shirtdress she bought for their first date. Next to Ethan, who’s wearing a suit and tie, she feels underdressed. They seemed to have dressed for two entirely different events. She wonders if she’s depriving him ofa traditional wedding, something she never knew he might care about. And it strikes her that she still has things to learn about the man with whom she’ll be spending the rest of her life, and vice versa. It’s okay, it’s normal, and they’ll figure it out as they go. Together.
Two days earlier, when they got their marriage license, he’d seemed excited about their decision. But now that they’re waiting in a blockish vestibule that feels like they’ve been summoned to jury duty, he’s clearly having second thoughts. But she’s not having second thoughts, and so she doesn’t acknowledge the way he’s looking around as if trying to find an emergency exit.
“Inside the clerk’s office will probably be nicer,” she says. She reaches for his hand. “After today we can plan a party or ceremony to include your family. Maybe right after New Year’s?”
“Myfamily?” he says. “What aboutyourfamily?”
She shakes her head. “Ethan, we’re here. We’ve talked about this. It’s fine.”
He looks unconvinced, but squeezes her hand. Then he stands up, phone in hand. “I’ll be right back.”
The Ferry Market seems like it’s always been there. It’s not shiny or artificial. Everything in New Hope seems just right. And she imagines her future knit shop nestled on one of those intimate side streets, a building with black shutters and a plaque at the front door detailing its history as a blacksmith’s. Some of the original loading dock remains, converted into cozy nooks with benches and tables where Maggie and Belinda sit having coffee.
“This place opened eight years ago, but still feels new to me. At the time, some people weren’t happy about it.”
“Why not?”
