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She opened the door and sighed heavily, leaning on the doorframe. “What do you want?”
“We brought beer,” Harper sang, holding up a paper bag.
“I hate beer.”
“We know. It’s cider.” Harper thrust the bag at Maggie and marched into the apartment.
“Come on in,” Maggie said, shutting the door behind them, resigning herself to whatever fate had in store for her. Holding Harper back was like holding back the tide.
“I’d love a cider. Thanks for asking,” Harper poked. “We got you a mixed pack.”
“What flavor do you want?” Maggie asked Harper as she handed an apple one to Penny.
“Surprise me.” Harper wandered around the apartment before joining them at the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. She slid onto the bar stool next to Penny and Maggie handed her a bottle of cider she would never buy herself. Harper took a long drink and grimaced when she set the bottle down. It was the happiest Maggie had been all day. “She’s watching a rescue show—might be 911 Lonestar—”
“The one with Rob Lowe?” Penny asked, and Harper nodded. “For an old guy, he’s still hot.” Harper nodded again as the women clinked their bottles.
“She’s not baking. It looks like she’s forgotten how to fold clothes or load the dishwasher.” Harper quickly leaned forward and gave Maggie a sniff before settling back on her stool. “But it smells like she is bathing. And from what you said, the last few times you went grocery shopping together, she filled her cart with frozen meals.”
“So.” Maggie shrugged. “I’m a busy person. I don’t have time to cook.”
“I told you,” Penny said to Harper, ignoring Maggie. “Alien abduction. Our poor, sweet Maggie has either been killed—maybe eaten alive, or maybe they just ate her brain. There are so many options to choose from. Or she’s being held captive by an alien race. Maybe they’re torturing her to learn about life on earth. Or maybe she’s their sex slave.”
“Or maybe you need to stop reading sci-fi romances,” Harper said. “It’s obviously a case of split personality. Maggie’s hidden her true slovenly self behind responsible, cheerful Maggie for all these years. But now, she’s run out of energy keeping her other half a secret, and pitiful Maggie is here.”
“I don’t like pitiful Maggie,” Penny whined. “I want the old Maggie back.” She gave Maggie her puppy-dog eyes.
“Guys, I’m fine. There’s nothing wrong.”
“Lies,” Harper shouted, like a preacher from the pulpit. “You’ve lied to yourself long enough now. It’s time to stop and tell us what’s going on,” she added more gently. “You haven’t been yourself since the baking contest, and we’re worried about you.”
“Really, I’m—”
“No, you’re not. The only television you watch is baking shows with a home decorating show tossed in for spice. You hate frozen meals. And from the number of pizza boxes by the overflowing garbage can, your tummy must be really upset because that’s a lot of cheese.”
“And of the three of us, you’ve always been the neatest,” Penny said, frowning at the mess in the apartment.
“I guess losing took the wind out of my sails. I was so sure I was going to win, but then Lucas joined the competition and ruined it for me again.”
“Technically, two teams from the Tetons joined at the last minute,” Harper said. “But what do you mean ruined it again? What else has he ruined?”
“My entire college career,” Maggie said, picking at her bottle’s label.
“All of it?”
“Mostly the parts when he was there, but then when he left, everything was tainted.”
“How?” Harper asked, leaning forward with a gleam in her eyes.
“Oh my God, Harper, I’m not a story for the front page.” Maggie didn’t have the patience for this. She was tired and the pizza she’d had for dinner sat like lead in her stomach. “But I’ll break it down for you. Who? Lucas. Where? Valley Community College and now here. When? College and ever since he started rooming with Five. What? Ruined anything that could bring me joy, including the baking contest. Why? Who the hell knows? Not me.” Maggie tossed her hands into the air and stomped over to the nearest laundry basket. She could fold and be interrogated at the same time.
“You know, I don’t buy it,” Penny said, and Maggie’s hand stilled as she looked at her sister. “If I was an outsider looking in, I’d say he was flirting with you.”
“What?” Maggie screeched. “If that’s the case, I’ll take my chances with the aliens.”
“No, hear me out. I watched the two of you when we went on that hike. He was trying so hard to talk with you, and when you’d finally respond, he looked like a starving man, and you’d just served him his favorite meal. He defended you when Five teased you, and he’s always stopping by Brewster’s to see you.”
“How do you know that?”
