Page 90 of Songs of Summer

“Of course not. She’s engaged. You know how I feel about cheating.”

He didn’t count their dramatic kiss at the bakery. That was for the children.

“Yeah, it’s just—I don’t see it with those two.”

“It’s not for us to see. Clearly, we are looking for different things than they are.”

It was all so complicated.

“Let’s get drunk,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

The bar was empty when they reached it. No takers and no servers. Dylan went to help herself, and that’s when they heard someone scream, “Oh my God!” in a high-pitched tone.

Dylan left the glass and grabbed the bottle.

They followed the sound of the ruckus to the back of the boat, where they found Chase handing a cell phone to Veronica. Maggie and Jason were standing with their backs pressed up against the rails. Maggie was looking over her shoulder, as if she were considering jumping. Even without knowing what had happened, you could feel the tension in the air.

“You left this at the bar,” Chase snarked at Veronica, handing her back her phone.

“Thank you,” she barely managed.

He looked like he had more to say, but turned, practically slamming into Matt and Dylan.

“Matt!” Veronica stepped up. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but Jason is not Maggie’s brother. At least I hope not.”

She looked back at Jason and Maggie, who both shook their heads in vigorous confirmation.

“I just saw them kissing,” V added, in a softer tone.

Dylan piped in, “I’m sure it was just brotherly love. Look!” she said, before planting a big smooch on Matt’s lips, trying her best to defuse the bomb.

“He’s not my son, is he?” Chase steadied himself while Jason and Maggie shook their heads even more vigorously.

“We’re the couple,” Maggie said, motioning to Jason, before adding, “Not me and Matt.”

“Why would you think he’s your son?” Veronica asked Chase.

“Well, she’s my daughter, and you said they were siblings.” Chase got right in Veronica’s face, primed to give her a piece of his mind. “You know what, Veronica, I may not be well educated and live at a fancy address, but I’m a good person. I take care of my mom, and I rescued a dog last year. An old dog that they were gonna put down ’cause no one wanted him. You and Bea could have told me my daughter was in town. I would have liked to let her decide about me for herself, regardless of whatever you two poisoned her with.”

“Wait, what?” Veronica was gobsmacked. She turned slowly and approached Maggie, taking her face into her hands, and staring into her eyes until her own threatened tears.

“Oh my God. I knew you felt familiar to me. I justcouldn’t…” And then she snapped, “Wait, what the hell is going on here? Is this some kind of fleece job?”

Maggie froze. Matt stepped forward.

“Not at all. Just tell her, Maggie.”

Again, Maggie looked over her shoulder like she was going to jump, before turning to face the music.

“It’s complicated, but I don’t want anything from anyone, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just wanted to meet my birth mother. And things got very out of hand.”

She smiled and reached out her hand to her aunt.

“It’s nice to meet you, Aunt Veronica.”

“Aunt Veronica,” V repeated in awe, before her tears escaped.

Chase handed V a cocktail napkin from his pocket and stepped between them, putting his hands on Maggie’s shoulders—just short of a hug.

---