Dirty Summer 7

“I just had the strangest experience at the boathouse I was assessing for a portfolio pitch. Who exactly are the boat builders Maggie wanted me check out? Did she mention it to you?”

Maggie heard her friend almost choke on the tea. Shit. She didn’t want Blair to have to get involved in this.

“Daddy.” Maggie smiled as she approached the kitchen island.

“There she is.” Denny stood and wrapped Maggie in a big bear hug. “Sweetheart, you ok?”

Maggie buried her face in her father’s chest. “No, I’m not.”

“I’ll give you two some time to catch up,” Blair said. “It was good seeing you again, Mr. Zeal.” Blair reached for her glass and trotted up the stairs.

“Maggie, why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Denny removed his daughter from his chest. She knew he hated seeing her cry because it made the usually strong businessman feel powerless to help.

“Oh, Daddy, I screwed up.” She wiped the tears from her face. “And look at your shirt. I got mascara on your logo.”

“Don’t worry about that. Tell me what I can do to help. What happened?”

Maggie slumped onto the bar stool. She felt relieved to have her father listen as she recounted the events of the summer that had led up to the worst morning of her life.

“G, are you sure about this?” Blair strolled into the room where Maggie was furiously throwing shorts and tank tops in a suitcase. Books and magazines were scattered across the floor. “We can talk to him. I can even get Justyn to intervene. Don’t leave yet. Don’t let him run you off before our summer is supposed to be over.”

Maggie headed to the bathroom, where she pushed all of her cosmetics into another bag. “I have to. You heard him. He was cold. He thinks I’m some kind of manipulative business spy.” She could feel the tears forming again. She would not cry. At least not right now. She had to get off the island. She had to get away from him. Then—what was she going to do then?

Maggie shook her head and twisted a lock of hair around her index finger. “I’m sorry to abandon you this last week,” she apologized to her best friend. “This isn’t how I wanted our last summer together to end.” Her voice broke.

“Me either. But stay and we can figure out a way to make it work,” Blair tried again. “You’re going to miss the wedding and you worked so hard on those centerpieces. Missy will want to see you.”

“There’s no way I could face Reid at the wedding now. He doesn’t want to be anywhere near me.” Maggie sighed. “I can’t be on the same island with him.” She tried unsuccessfully to stop the floodgates. Through tears, she continued. “Plus, I don’t want to ruin your last week with Justyn. You two deserve to enjoy the rest of the summer. If I stay, it will just cause drama. It’s best this way.”

“But where will you go?” Blair asked.

Maggie gathered her collection of sundresses from the closet.

“Home, for now, I guess. My dad is downstairs booking us a flight out of New Bern. I’ll be in Charlotte by dinner.”

As if on cue, Denny appeared at the bedroom door. “Sweetheart, what can I help you with? We’ve got to hit the road in the next twenty minutes if we want to catch our flight. You know how busy these beach roads are on the weekends.”

“I’m almost ready. Can you give me a second?”

“Of course.” He smiled. “I’ll just take this first suitcase downstairs while you girls say your good-byes.” He picked up a tightly packed piece of luggage and left Maggie and Blair alone.

“We are not doing this.” Blair put her hands on her hips. “I’m not ready to say good-bye yet.”

“I’m already a crying mess, so I can take it.” Maggie walked over and hugged Blair.

The dreaded moment of the summer had arrived in the most unexpected way. It was time to say good-bye, time to end four years of living together, time to face the lives that were ahead of them.

Blair squeezed Maggie. “I don’t want you to go. This is so shitty. I’m going to kick Reid in the Strait family jewels.”

Maggie laughed for the first time all day. Leave it to Blair to turn their emotional moment into a giggle.

“Maggie! Time to go!” Denny hollered from the base of the stairs.

Maggie looked at Blair. “Have fun at the wedding. Tell Missy I said congratulations. I’ll call you later.”

“You better.”

Maggie hated leaving her best friend alone standing on the other side of the screen door.