Page 26 of Next in Line
“Yes.”
He harrumphs.
“What?” I ask.
“I’m trying to figure out why he had no problem ruiningyourholiday.” His eyes are hooded as he looks at me expectantly, clearly waiting for an answer.
I chew my lip before defending Sterling’s actions. “I think I might have freaked him out at my parents’ house.”
“Oh?” Sam asks, angling his body to give me his undivided attention.
“Well, he was staying with me at my parents’ house before his flight left on Christmas morning to go to his parents’ house. We were lying in bed the night before, and jeez, I don’t know…I guess you could say I was drunk on Christmas spirit because I may have started naming our kids and talking about what we could give them for presents from Santa.”
Sam says nothing, so I continue.
“I could tell I maybe went a little too far because he didn’t touch me all night, and normally, he’s all about sex. But I hoped he’d get over it, so I got up at three a.m. to make him cinnamon rolls from scratch before his flight.”
“Jesus, Maggie,” Sam groans, running his hand through his hair with clear frustration.
“What?”
“Fucking cinnamon rolls?”
“Yes. What?” I exclaim and tighten my grip around the wheel. “They are his favorite, and I was just trying to be sweet. He was about to spend Christmas morning at the airport, and I wanted him to feel my love.”
“And then he dumped you over cinnamon rolls and coffee,” Sam concludes, knowing how the story ended.
“French pressed coffee,” I add with a pitiful pout. “And he did it before anyone else was awake. I was obviously a mess when I took him to the airport. I couldn’t believe we were ending things like that. But then he kissed me when we were standing on the curb outside the airport. Like seriously kissed me. It didn’t feel like a goodbye kiss. It tasted like regret. There was a look in his eye when he waved goodbye that made me feel like we weren’t necessarily over for good.”
I peek over and see Sam watching me with wary eyes full of drunken judgment and zero understanding. Which makes sense because he’s a guy. He doesn’t know how to read between the lines. Thankfully, I do.
“When I got back from the airport, I pretended nothing happened.” I shrug and drum my fingers along the wheel. “It was really hard because Kate has a really sharp bullshit meter, but if she knew anything was up, she never said a word.”
“So what is your grand plan exactly?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…this lie,” he states with a frustrated huff. “How long are you going to keep it up?”
“As long as it takes to show him that I’ve changed.” I shrug as if it’s the most obvious answer in the world.
Sam clearly does not agree because I can see his hands tensing with agitation on his lap. “And you’re planning to do that how exactly?”
“My plan is to just hang out in Boulder and test out some adventurous activities in the hopes of winning him back. I think if I send pictures of all the fun stuff I’m doing, he’ll be impressed.”
“So you guys are still in touch?” he asks, eyeing me seriously.
“Yes, we text. Just friendly texting, but it’s something.”
“Don’t you think it’s a little naïve to go to such lengths for a guy who broke up with you just because you’re certain he wants you back?”
“No,” I reply instantly, pursing my lips in determination. “Because I believe that love is worth fighting for.”
He exhales heavily at that response, his fingers moving up to pinch the bridge of his nose. After a moment of silence, he slaps his hand on his leg, and asks, “Okay then. Exactly what kind of adventures are you considering?”
I smile broadly. “Tomorrow I’m going ice climbing on a silo.”
“You’re what?” he snaps, and I swear the alcoholic buzz he had from earlier disappears and is replaced by rage.
