“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Derek kissed me softly on the forehead and joined Annie in the kitchen.
“Yeah, see ya.”
“OHHH—!” Mom yelled from the closet. “Where did all this green slime on my coat come from? There’s so much!”
My eyes shot to Katie, stopped in her tracks, grimacing before mouthing, “Sorry.”
Oh my God.
chapter 21
TROLLOP
Maggie
Annie prepareda plentiful breakfast of Belgian waffles shaped like reindeer and topped with maple syrup, sliced strawberries, and powdered sugar. The four of us—Mom, Annie, Hunter, and I, grabbed our coats and headed out the door so as to not miss the parade.
“Graham said we otta hang around the Five corners around noon,” Annie said, “says there’s fittin to be a good show. Gonna be police, firefighters, and EMTs in that order.” She counted them off on her fingers like they were all items on her shopping list.
I rolled my eyes at her. Of course she would get a schedule from Graham. She had a thing for men in uniform—maybe that’s where I got it. Back home she’d always make some comment aboutOfficer TightbunsorSergeant Bicep. Ah yes, good memories. Nothing like objectifying the opposite sex before lunch.
“Maggie.” Hunter’s hand found mine and I had to remind myself to let it stay there. “Don’t be cross with me, darling. I’m sorry about lastnight. I’m afraid I’ve been jealous—that Graham has had access to parts of you I have yet to unlock.”
Hunter sounded sincere. He always sounded sincere. My shoulder blades pulled back anyway, some animal part of me doing the math my mind refused to do.
“Oh, it’s alright.” My mouth said it. I wasn’t sure the rest of me agreed. “I could have been a little more sensitive of your feelings as well. It has to be hard, letting him into the most intimate parts of our life.”
He pulled me in, gripping at my coat. “I love you,mo chróí.”
I smiled, but I couldn’t say the words back.
He kissed me, then pulled back. His arms around my waist felt different than they used to. “I hate to bring more bad news, but I’ll have to skip the parade.”
Relief moved through me so fast I almost missed it. “What why?”
“Ernesto texted during breakfast. There is apparently talent lined up for most of the day.”
“Can’t you tell him no? Aren’t you the boss?”
Something moved across his face before the smile settled into place. “I could, aye. But you know how important it is to keep the talent fresh.”
My shoulders dropped. I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Fine.”
“Besides, you’ll have Katie and Derek once you get into town. You certainly don’t need me bringing the party down.”
“You wouldn’t bring the party down, Hunter.” I said, the words coming out like I was supposed to say them, but the truth was, he most likely would spend the day glowering at Graham as the float passed by, wondering if I was watching him with lust in my eyes.
“I would if I was busy looking for talent instead of at you.”
I blinked, a warm flush creeping up my neck. “Go. Just go. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be back around four,” he said, parting us and kissing my cheek before getting in his Bentley and backing down the driveway.
Annie, Mom, and I piled into the Gremlin. Mom in the front seat with me and Annie in the back.
“Now, Maggie, I have a serious question for you.” Mom buckled in. “You aren’t planning on dragging out your engagement too crazy long, are you, dear?”
My eyes shot to the ring. Hmm—I’d actually forgotten about that.
