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Mild irritation nipped at me.
I felt guilty for being annoyed she was there. I wanted to get along with Stephanie, but as I’d said, she tended to give me a wide berth. It was hard to breach the awkwardness that always lingered between us. I didn’t want to be awkward with her, but I also didn’t know how to make things better. Maybe she just didn’t like me, and there was no fixing it.
Last week, Rhys had said he and Stephanie were happy to keep their separate routines on Sunday, so why the change? Maybe Dawn’s questioning had gotten to him, made him feel like he should make more of an effort to spend the day with her, include her in his family time.
“Shay,” Dad said. “Look who your cousin has brought. Isn’t it lovely to have Stephanie as our guest?”
I nodded, glancing at Rhys, then at Stephanie, and mustered a polite smile.
“Ross, Dawn and the kids have a birthday party this week, so they won’t be over. Well, at least that means there’s more food for us,” he chuckled jovially, unaware of my discomfort. I internally grimaced. So, it was just going to be me, Dad, Maggie, Rhys and Stephanie for dinner. Already, I was far less relaxed than normal.
“Is Maggie coming again?” Rhys asked.
Yes, I signed.
“And what about Nigel? I hope you had a word with him after his behaviour last week.” His dark eyebrows drew together in disapproval. Rhys’ father had been violent towards his mother when he was younger, so my cousin was particularly sensitive when it came to men throwing their weight around with women. I’d hated Nigel’s behaviour, too, especially given my feelings for Maggie, but to Rhys, those sorts of things were extremely personal.
I did. We’re not talking right now, so I doubt he’ll turn up today.
“Well, good. He acted like an unholy prick to the poor woman.”
“Who are Nigel and Maggie?” Stephanie enquired.
“Nigel is Shay’s best friend,” Dad explained, removing his oven gloves after checking on the roast lamb. “Shay had a new lady friend over last week, Maggie, and Nigel was rude to her, so the two of them are on the outs right now.”
“Oh,” Stephanie said, her blue eyes widening in surprise to hear I had a “lady friend.” Did she think I was incapable of attracting women simply because I was mute?
She’s Rhys’ fiancée, I reminded myself. Try to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“And do you know why he was rude to her?” she continued curiously.
“Not really,” Dad answered. “Though Nigel can be a temperamental sort. He’s very protective of Shay, always has been, ever since they were this high.” Dad lowered his hand to indicate a child’s height.
“Well,” Stephanie said, her gaze meeting mine. “If he’s protective of you, perhaps Nigel saw something in this Maggie he didn’t trust, and that’s why he was rude to her.”
I frowned and shook my head vehemently. Stephanie’s assumptions irritated me, mainly because I didn’t appreciate her casting aspersions on Maggie, someone she didn’t even know. Rhys glanced at me speculatively.
“Is there more to it?” he asked.
I don’t want to talk about it, I signed.
I hadn’t told anyone about what Nigel did outside Maggie’s flat, intimidating her and her neighbours. I knew he didn’t deserve me protecting him from my family’s judgement, but I wanted to give him a chance to redeem himself privately instead of tarnishing him in everyone’s eyes over one mistake.
To be honest, though, I felt a little stuck. I wanted Nigel to redeem himself, but the part of me that felt strangely possessive and protective over Maggie didn’t really feel like forgiving him any time soon.
Leaving the kitchen, I went to take off my coat and hang it up in the hallway when the doorbell rang. My spirits lifted seeing Maggie outlined through the stained-glass panels.
Opening the door, I found her standing there, her cheeks flushed against the cold and her scarf wrapped in layers around her neck.
“Hi Shay,” she greeted, and I motioned for her to come in. “Thanks for inviting me over again. The food was delicious last time.”
I motioned to her coat, and she began unbuttoning it before untangling her scarf from around her neck. I stepped close, my fingers sliding along hers as I took her coat and scarf and hung them up for her. I knew she was perfectly capable of hanging up her own things, but at that point, I was taking every chance I could to touch her, even casually. She wore jeans and a loose, pale green shirt, her long hair down around her shoulders. My eyes instinctively went to the bare skin at her neck before I forced my gaze away.
“Thank you,” she said quietly, and I led her into the kitchen.
“Maggie,” Dad exclaimed. “It’s so good to see you again!” He came and folded her into a hug, which seemed to take her off guard, but she accepted it anyway. There was no resisting my father’s warm, open nature at times. I was a little jealous, to be honest. I wished I could get away with hugging Maggie like that every time I saw her.
