Page 85 of Songs of Summer

“Do too.”

“Do not,” she said, her lips turning downward, indicating he should keep it to himself.

They sounded like brother and sister too.

“You two are doing the toast?” Jason asked, kindly changing the subject.

“Yes, together. We practiced last night.”

“Luckily, it is happening soon, very soon,” Matt said.

“Yeah, I can never relax until after something like that is done,” Maggie agreed.

Dylan saw a tray of champagne flutes pass by and followed it as Beatrix approached. Maggie’s chest burned with heat. Her plan was to steer clear of Bea for one more day until the big reveal. Not one for scenes, she knew that leaving a letterfor her would be the best approach, giving her space to reflect, and hopefully, forgive their subterfuge. Also, she was a wimp when it came to confrontation. She once dated an annoying guy in college for a year because he lived across the hall from her and she couldn’t bear the thought of the awkward interactions she would face if she broke it off.

“Hi, Maggie, you look beautiful,” Bea said, before leaning in for a hug.

“You look beautiful too,” Maggie said. She loved the way Bea dressed, smart and classic but not buttoned up. She still wasn’t used to seeing so much of herself in someone else. This was an everyday phenomenon she’d completely missed out on growing up, and she was surprised at what a punch it packed now.

“You know, ever since Maggie showed up, I get no love from you,” Matt joked.

Bea hugged Matt before looking up at him and sweetly declaring, “You look beautiful too, Matty.”

Maggie noted again that the older generation called him Matty. It was endearing to her. Matty was not a name for a grown man in the way that Maggie was for a grown woman. And it wasn’t even a nickname, since her parents had named her Maggie, not Margaret. She was happy about that. She was not a Margaret.

Again, thinking of her parents made her feel guilty about the situation that was about to unfold. She uncharacteristically linked her arm through Jason’s. He smiled at her gratefully. Maggie knew that she was a little too big on autonomy for Jason’s taste; he had a real need to be needed.

“Let’s get our table cards,” she suggested, yearning for an escape. As they walked away, she let out a huge sigh.

“You’ll be fine. Just go with the flow,” Jason whispered in her ear.

The flow felt more like a landslide.

“They would want you to have family, Maggie.”

Of course he read her mind.

“You’re my family,” she replied, and meant it.

Track 42

Family Affair

The Dinner Hour According to Matt

“Is that ChaseLogan tending bar?” Bea whispered to Matt discreetly.

“The one and only.” He looked at Bea knowingly as Paul walked over and slipped his arm around her waist.

“Perfect timing, honey. Can you get us cocktails?”

“Of course. Want anything, Matt?” Paul asked on his way.

“No thanks. I’m holding off till after Dylan and I make our toast.”

“You’re doing it together? That’s sweet. Is it funny or serious?” Bea asked.

“Serious enough. We tried to write a funny one, but couldn’t stop laughing, so we went in a more traditional direction.”

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