Dirty Summer 6

Maggie

Maggie hummed as she sorted through a pile of clean laundry, searching for her favorite khaki shorts. With the garment in hand, she moved over to her half-packed suitcase sitting on the bed. She hated the thought of leaving the island, even if it was just for a few days. It had been a week since she’d shown up at Reid’s bo

athouse in her raincoat, and the pair hadn’t spent a night apart since.

She sighed and headed to the bathroom to collect her makeup and shampoo. Tonight would be her first night away from him, and he had been as reluctant to let her go as she had been to leave this morning.

Maggie traced her swollen lips with her finger, remembering their good-bye a few hours ago. However, this weekend trip to Charlotte was part of the summer bargain she’d struck with her parents. The Zeals weren’t crazy about their only child’s plan to house-sit on a tiny island at the opposite end of the state. They gave in with the condition that she would come home this weekend to celebrate her dad’s sixtieth birthday.

Maggie heard her phone buzz on the nightstand and headed back into the bedroom to retrieve it. The screen showed a new text message from Reid.

Already miss you, tiger.

Miss you too, she quickly wrote back.

Travel safe flashed back in seconds.

Will let you know when I get there.

You’d better.

Maggie giggled and could feel a huge grin spread across her face. How was she going to survive these next four days? She headed to her dresser to retrieve a tank top.

“What is that look on your face, G?” Blair crossed the threshold to her friend’s room and plopped down on the bed beside the suitcase.

“Oh, I was texting with Reid.”

“Texting with Reid?” the blonde mocked, batting her eyelashes. She laughed. “Didn’t he just drop you off, what? Two hours ago?”

“Stop teasing.” Maggie tossed a green T-shirt at her friend. “I’m really going to miss him this weekend, and I think he’ll miss me too.”

“I don’t want to say I told you so, but I told you so. The walk through the rain was all you two needed.” Blair placed the shirt in the suitcase.

“It has been an amazing week,” Maggie agreed, zipping up the luggage and setting it on the floor. She lowered herself to the bed beside her friend.

“I’m happy for you,” Blair said. “But I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. This weekend really snuck up on me. I can’t believe it’s already time for you to head to Charlotte. When we got here in June, it seemed like the big birthday celebration was really far off—almost at the end of the summer.”

Maggie wasn’t sure, but she thought she might have detected a hint of sadness in her friend’s eyes.

“You’ll be ok on your own?” Maggie knew how Blair felt about spending too much time alone in the rambling old house. “Do you and Justyn have plans?”

“Yes, he’s taking me on a cruise tonight if the wind stays calm,” Blair answered. “Don’t worry. I don’t intend to be alone much while you’re gone.” The blonde winked. “Besides, I’m not entirely convinced we don’t have invisible roommates. Haven’t you heard all that random creaking at night?”

Maggie was glad to see the self-assured spark return to her friend’s demeanor. “Haven’t noticed the ghosts, if that’s what you mean, but I figured you’d be with Justyn. You have fun, girl. I’d better get this suitcase downstairs so I can be ready for my ride. My mother will kill me if I’m late to this shindig. She’s been planning it for a year.”

The pair headed to the stairs. “Who do you think will be there? I know my mom RSVPed right away. I’m sure she’s had her outfit ready for weeks.” Blair rolled her eyes.

“I’ll take detailed notes on everyone’s ensembles,” Maggie said. “I’m guessing it will be the usual Charlotte people—bankers, finance guys, a few NASCAR bigwigs. Nothing too exciting. But this is definitely going to be the right time to talk to Daddy about Reid and Justyn’s business. There should be plenty of people around with the capital to take on a new venture.”

Blair shot her friend a look. “I’m still not sure about getting involved in the guys’ business affairs,” she said. “They are pretty protective about the whole thing. Plus, do we want to mingle our parents’ work with our current life on the island?”

Maggie’s mind was set to help the guys, and she couldn’t be talked out of her plan now that it was so close to being set in motion.

“It’ll work out great,” she reassured Blair. “This really could boost our guys to the next level.”

They heard a horn honk from the gravel drive, and Blair held the front door open for her friend.

“Remember, don’t mention the investors meeting.” Maggie shoved her bag into the backseat of the car from the service she ordered from the mainland. The driver sat behind the wheel while the girls said their good-byes.