“Uh,” he mocks me, “to show them how much of a badass you are now. How you’ve risen above and come out on top with a successful business?”
I back out of the case to shoot him a glare and catch him watching my ass. He has the grace to look a bit chagrined as he throws his hands up in surrender.
“Sorry. I’m a guy, and it was in my face.” He’s otherwise unaffected by the fact I’ve literally been bent over in front of him.
Cool. Not like my self-esteem needed any validation today.
I ignore that tiny voice that tells me I’m not good enough.
Gah, what is it with me today?
It must’ve been his stupid early-morning adventure invite. The one he’s not mentioned, so I’m guessing his research confirmed that zip-lining is not something for me.
It’s funny. I wasn’t even all that interested, but now knowing it’s not an option stings.
“What’s wrong, Maggie?” The concern in his voice drags me out of my unusually morose thoughts. “You aren’t your vivacious self today. What’s up?”
The truth sits on the tip of my tongue. He’s my friend. I’m reasonably certain I could tell him nearly anything. But also, insecurities are scary to share. With anyone. I never even shared my hard feelings with his little sister back when we were inseparable and Jackson was just Alice’s super-hot older brother.
Instead, I tend to let all my tumultuous internal thoughts batter around until I can either make sense of them or lock them in a box to deal with later.
“Nothing’s wrong.” I offer a semblance of a smile and change the subject. “Are you going to the reunion?”
“I was thinking about it, but only because of one specific reason.” When I arch a brow for him to continue, the corner of his mouth quirks up. “They mentioned it being a carnival theme, and there will be a pie-throwing contest.”
“No they did not.” I give up my reorganizing and spin so my back is against the display case. “That’s about the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I mean, how cheesy can you get?”
That grin spreads across his face, and his eyes twinkle. “I’m kidding, but come on, you know you wanna go with me and people watch.”
“No. No, I really don’t.”
His grin falls as something shudders through his eyes. “You haven’t talked to Alice lately, have you?”
“Not really. Nothing in depth.” The older we get, the more distance seems to grow between me and the friend I swore would be my best friend until the end of time. “Why?”
“You know she’s going to bid on doing the event planning for the reunion, right?”
“No, I didn’t know.” That must’ve been what she meant when she called earlier. She sent a message about the reunion. Dread pools in the pit of my belly. He’s just triggered mydo-somethinginstinct, and I know that, even though I don’t want to go to this reunion—would rather pluck my eyebrows or do literally anything else than see those people who harassed me so much in high school—this is Alice. She needs this to be a success for her new business. And I’d do nearly anything for her. Even if the reminder of whowon’tbe there is hard to face.
“Wait. How do we have invites and emails if they are only now bidding out the planning part?”
“Alice said the normal person had an emergency, and they were taking bids for a replacement company. This is her one chance to make a splash, and it has the opportunity to get her into more local events.”
Behind me, the bell at the door jingles, signaling that the short reprieve from customers is over.
“Yeah, so…” Jackson pushes out of the chair and gathers his box of sweets, letting the rest of the conversation stall, just like he always does when there’s more to discuss. He doesn’t do details well. “I’m gonna get out of your hair until you get in a better mood. We still on for Sunday Funday?” Atmy nod, he mock salutes me and walks to the back door. “See you in the morning.”
I do not watch his ass, nor do I pause to admire the way his shoulders nearly fill the doorframe as he leaves out the back. But I also don’t look away from the reflection in the glass case.
Chapter Three
Jackson
Normal people usually sleep in on a Sunday morning. Or here in the Bible Belt, they’re enjoying their coffee and getting ready for church. But because Maggie and I work such weird schedules, the Sundays when I’m off are spent adventuring. Always. It’s become such a routine for us that she’s waiting when I pull in her drive at five a.m. dressed in her regular Funday uniform of well-worn hiking boots and leggings.
She climbs into the Jeep with a smile. “Hi sunshine.”
Thank god she’s back to normal this morning. I can’t handle it when she gets all emotional on me. Gives me the hives.
