Maggieâs grip tightened.
âI get it, but Iâm ready to stand up for what I want, even if itâs tough.
I wonât back down anymore.
â
She had chickened out before, but not this time.
She was standing her ground.
She knew she had to give it her all to avoid any regrets.
Even if she got roughed up, itâd be a tale to tell in her old age.
Karlâs eyes darkened as he clocked Maggieâs determined look.
He knew he was a long shot from the get-go, but he held onto a glimmer of hope.
He wished sheâd finally see him one day.
But now, sheâd crushed that hope.
But hey, she wasnât hitched yet.
The future and its endless possibilities were still up in the air, right?
With that in mind, Karl squared his shoulders.
âMaggie, from the moment I laid eyes on you, Iâve had a thing for you.
Iâm not asking for
anything in return.
Go chase after your real love.
But if you ever hit a dead end or youâre just too tired to keep going, remember to glance back.
Iâll be right here,â Karl said, pouring his heart out.
His eyes were soft, full of warmth and sincerity.
Maggie felt a tug at her heartstrings and didnât know what to say.
She fidgeted with her fingers.
âKarl, Iâm not all that great.
Iâm not worth your time.
â
Karl grinned.
âI know youâre worth it.
Your happiness is all that matters to me.
â
âKarlâ¦â
Maggie nibbled her lip, lost for words.
Her feelings were all over the place.
She even wondered if she hadnât met Sanford, maybe sheâd have picked Karl.
After all, all she wanted was a decent guy who felt the same way and would stick by her side.
And Karl? He fit the bill perfectly.
He wasnât born with a silver spoon, but he was happy with the simple things.
If they ended up together, they could build a life from scratch-a home, a family, everything life had to offer.
Their life would be calm and satisfying.
But then there was Sanford, who gave her a rush and thrill like no other.
That thrill!