So, now here she was, in love with a man incapable of being in a real relationship. He said so himself, he was a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. She thought she could handle a sexual relationship without letting emotions get involved. Well, she’d been wrong, and now she’d have to pay the price of mending a broken heart. Hopefully, she’d get over him as quickly as she’d fallen for him.
Lately, planning Adam and Jenny’s engagement party was taking up most of her downtime, which she appreciated. She’d spoken with them several times, but never about Mitch. Not wanting to dampen their happiness, she kept her trivial problems to herself.
She sensed Adam knew something but couldn’t bring herself to ask. Did she really want confirmation that Mitch wanted nothing to do with her? No, better to remain ignorant and hold out a little hope that maybe, someday, he would come to his senses.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Two weeks later, Maggie arrived at the beach house for Adam and Jenny’s engagement party. Doc was visiting from North Carolina and had come with her. It was Friday, and the party wasn’t until Saturday afternoon, but most of the family planned to stay for the weekend.
As the maid of honor, Maggie was in charge of setting up, handling the caterers, and keeping peace amongst the nieces and nephews. Luckily, everyone was pitching in to help, so her job was easy. By late Saturday morning, everything was set up and ready.
As the best man, Mitch only had to show up. Which, as of four o’clock, he had failed to do. The party had been in full swing for about an hour, but there wasn’t much formality to it, so no one noticed his absence—except Maggie.
She’d been both dreading and anticipating seeing him again. After a long mental debate, she decided she would act aloof and disinterested upon seeing him again. Like she didn’t have a care in the world and wasn’t bothered at all that he hadn’t called.
They’d gone years without meeting while still having relationships with Jenny and the boys. They could go back to that, only on purpose this time. After this party and thewedding, she’d never have to see him again. She just had to hide her pain and irritation for a few hours, and then she’d be free of him. That was, assuming he showed up at all.
***
Mitch was both dreading and anticipating seeing Maggie again. It took him a while, but he’d finally worked up the nerve to make his move. The entire drive out to Long Island, he thought about what he would say and how he would say it. He was going to woo the hell out of her.
Since he was pretty sure wooing didn’t involve throwing up on her, he took several deep breaths to calm his nerves just before entering the wide-open door at the beach house and making his way to the kitchen.
Drawn by an unseen force, he found her right away. She was wearing a light blue sundress that hit just above the knee. Her legs were toned and tanned and looked fabulous in a pair of high-heeled sandals. Backlit by the sun, her hair glistened, and she looked like a goddess sent from heaven. She was holding a baby, cooing at it and getting a sweet, wet smile in return. She tossed her head back to laugh, and his heart swelled a little. Of course, she would be great with kids.
Seeing her with a baby scared him for a second. Was this where things would lead if he pursued a relationship with her? Was he ready for that?Calm yourself, man. Just telling her how you feel isn’t going to make babies.He got a grip and began walking toward her.
“Mitch! Oh my God, I’m so glad you came.” Jenny came from out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around him. After a long, hard hug, she leaned back to look at him, blond hair blowing in the breeze, and a massive smile on her face.
“You look so happy, Jen.”
“I am, Mitch. I really am. I never thought I would fall for anyone again, but, well, Adam is so great!”
“He’s all right.” He laughed when Jenny playfully slapped him on the arm.
“You look pretty happy yourself.” She gave him a look that indicated Adam had spilled the beans about Maggie.
“We’ll see. I’ve been pretty stupid about it so far. I need to talk to her before I lose my nerve.”
A small, blond girl tugged on Jenny’s dress. “Aunt Jenny, the man that came with Aunt Maggie is looking for her. Do you know where she is?”
“Oh, honey, he’s not really…”
Mitch left to find Maggie before he heard the answer. She’d come with someone? Shit. What if he was too late? He had to find her before this other schmuck did. Scanning the crowd, he once again found her instantly. She was staring right at him. His breath caught at her beauty.
He made a beeline for her, waving off people trying to say hello. Once in front of her, his mind went blank.
“Hey,” was all he could muster.
Maggie looked over her left shoulder and then her right. “Oh, are you talking to me?” She was irritated. Of course she was, who wouldn’t be?
“I know I’m an idiot. I should have called.” There were people everywhere, many within earshot. “Can we take a walk? I really need to talk to you.”
“I’m a little busy running the party. You think you can just waltz in here, after three weeks of radio silence, and I’m supposed to drop everything to talk to you? You haven’t changed at all.” She turned to go, but he gently grabbed her arm.
“That’s just it, Mags. I have changed. It took me a couple of weeks to get my head on straight and process everything, but I…well, I…I really want to talk to you. But not here with all these people around. Can I please have a minute of your time?”
His earnestness must have convinced her. With a mildly surprised look, she nodded toward the walkway to the beach. “After you.”
