Chapter 25

MAGGIE

~FIVE YEARS AGO~

In the next few days, Logan keeps his distance from me. When I wake up in the morning, he’s already left for work, and when I send him texts asking him about his day, he doesn’t respond.

His behavior is making me nervous. It seems like he’s tired of me.

What if I’m nothing but the flavor of the month?

He doesn’t sit and talk to me, and doesn’t touch me when I go into his bedroom. I’m scared that this means he’s done with me.

I only have a few more days with Logan before my dad comes back from his business trip, and when that happens, I won’t be staying in this house.

After a lot of coaxing, he agrees to take me out to dinner, but doesn’t show up at home to pick me up.

It’s past 8 p.m., and I’m already dolled up waiting for Logan to pick me up in thirty minutes when my phone buzzes with a text message.

It’s from my friend, Amelia.

Amelia

Hey!

Amelia

Just wanted to invite you. Dawson and I are going to hang out. And guess what? Carter is coming with us.

Amelia

Do you want to join? ❤️

Maggie

That’s great, but I’m going out to dinner with Logan.

Amelia

Aw 🥺 Cart’s going to be so disappointed. He didn’t want to become a third wheel, so he was looking forward to your company.

Maggie

Maybe some other time.

Amelia

Cool.

I wonder if Logan forgot his promise to take me out. It’s 9 p.m., and he hasn’t called or texted. The texts that I left him are not on “seen” yet, which means he didn’t even read them.

I try to call him, but he doesn’t answer any of my calls. This is very unlike him, especially when Logan is the type of a person who is never late and always punctual.

He’s a man of his word and if he’s not answering my calls and ignoring them then it’s clearly a bad sign.

Don’t go there, Maggie. Logan might not have said it, but he still loves you.

I’m so furious right now. I’m going to kill him when he gets home. If nothing else, we could at least go out for a long drive later on.

Thankfully, he calls me ten minutes after nine.

“Maggie, I’m so so sorry…I was caught up with work and didn’t even look at the time.”

I bite back a scream. “So, where are you right now?”

“I’ll make up for it tomorrow. I can’t come home right now, baby. Can you order pizza or something?” There are some voices in the background.

“When will you be home? I’ll wait for you.”

“Maggie, I’ve got a shit ton of work here that needs my attention, and I don’t want you to wait.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m busy, Maggie. This is not the time to be stubborn.”

“I’m being stubborn? You’ve been ignoring me for the last few days!”

“I can’t argue with you right now.”

“Fine!” I hang up on him.

He doesn’t call me back again, and that infuriates me even more. I know I’m being immature, but I’m so frustrated that my ears are growing red and my eyes are stinging with unshed tears.

I want nothing more than to punch the wall.

This is not the first time he’s done it. This is probably the fourth or the sixth time that he’s given me the excuse that he’s busy at work. I might be young but I’m not stupid.

All this makeup is going to be a complete waste.

I call Amelia. She answers the phone on the first ring. “What’s up?”

“Change of plans. I’m not going to dinner with Logan. Are you guys close? Can you pick me up?”

“Sure thing, Mags. You want to join us?” She sounds thrilled.

“Yup. Is it okay?”

“Of course. Carter’s just picking up some food. I’ll send him your location.”

“It’s fine. I’ll do it. I have his number.”

“Awesome! I’m so, so happy you’re joining us, Mags!”

Maggie

Hey! Amelia told me you’re around here somewhere. Can you pick me up?

He replies in a nanosecond.

Carter

Of course ❤️ Send me your location x

Maggie

Here it is and thanks so much Sorry, I’m probably out of your way 🙂

Carter

No biggie. I can pick up friends if they live on Mars 😉

Maggie

Lol. Great 😬

Carter

Actually, you’re not that far from where I am. I’ll be there in ten minutes.

Carter is punctual, unlike someone else I know.

At least I’m not rubbing the cotton pads dipped in cleanser on my face and crying into the mirror while eating pizza alone, which is exactly the way my night was going to be, thanks to some busy company CEO.

It’s a good thing I changed from my sexy date-night dress into a pair of shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. When I look into the mirror, I realize how much I look like my age now that I’ve changed my outfit.

Earlier, I had chosen a dress that made me look mature, because I didn’t want to look too young when I was out on a date with Logan.

Carter drives a red Mustang. When I slide into the passenger seat, he leans in to give me a side hug. “You look adorable, Maggie.” He smiles.

“Thanks.”

He points to the stuff in the backseat, which is full of snacks.

“Amelia and Dawson made me their errand boy today.” He rolls his eyes.

I laugh. “And I made you my chauffeur. Sorry about that.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. For a beautiful girl like you, I’ll be a chauffeur any day. Sign me up.” He winks.

It would have been so much easier if I had fallen for someone like Carter.