Page 26 of Fall Fake-Out

Maggie’s the one person I wish weren’t still in Autumn Ridge, but apparently, she works at the library with Emma, and judging by the judgmental remarks she keeps making toward everyone, she’s the same as she was back then.

She looks innocent enough—almost like Snow White. Pale, creamy skin that contrasts with her dark shoulder-length hair, but nothing about her is innocent, especially her thinly veiled comments.

“It’s so good you came to book club tonight.” Maggie sought me out of the crowd once the discussion was over. Not that it was hard; besides me, there are only six other women here. “But I guess you probably don’t have a lot of other things filling up your schedule right now with you being single and all.”

Classic example of one of Maggie’s backhanded comments.

“No, actually, there’s a lot to do for Landrie’s wedding,” I say as I move my chair back to the table it came from and push it under.

“Oh, you poor thing.” A pouty frown tugs Maggie’s lips down. “It must be so hard seeing your little sister get married before you.”

“Not really.” I paste on a perfect smile and lift my shoulders. “Why would you think that?”

“No reason. Your sister was always more decisive than you. But everyone’s timeline is different…some people just take a little longer to figure things out. I love that you’re still keeping your options open—kind of refreshing at our age. At least you don’t have to deal with wedding stress.” She purposely shows off the diamond ring on her finger by tucking her hair behind her ear. “Silver linings.”

I begrudgingly take the bait. “Oh, wow. It looks like you’re engaged.”

She glances at her ring as if she’s surprised I happened to see it. “Yes, but I’m waiting for springtime to get married. Landrie’s so brave to get married in the fall. The weather can be so volatile.”

That doesn’t even make sense. Vermont is known for its fall. But Maggie has to have a one-up on everyone.

“Is your fiancé anyone I know?” I can’t imagine someone actually falling in love with Maggie. But I suppose there’s someone for everyone.

“No.” Her scoff says she’d never lower her standards and marry a guy from Autumn Ridge. “His name is Timothy VanTussen. He’s an investment banker in Lake Placid.”

Of course he is.

I lift my brows, faking like I’m impressed. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. You know, if you’re lonely, my little brother is single too. He’s a couple of years younger, but I figure, at this point, you’d be willing to put age aside. Beggars can’t be choosers, you know? I could set you two up.”

Having Maggie Devens set me up on a blind date with her brother—or anyone else, for that matter—is the absolute last thing I would want.

Even if I were desperate, I’d never be that desperate.

“That’s nice of you, but I’m not interested.”

She smiles, letting awkward silence fill in the gaps in our conversation.

Normally, this is when Maggie should ask me something meaningful about myself. But polite rules of conversation aren’t her thing.

“Well, hopefully you won’t be too lonely. Maybe you can get a cat, just to have a little companionship.” Another comment with a knife hidden inside.

“Great idea. You know how much I love having kittens as support animals.”

Her jaw hardens as she thinks back to ninth grade when I snuck two kittens into school and let them out in the library during state testing. Everyone thought it was funny, except Maggie, who told the teacher on me because the constant meowing was distracting her—and, fine, because she was also allergic and sneezing. It took the staff one hour to dig the kittens out of the bookshelves. Well worth the week of detention I got.

I’ve had enough of Maggie, so I take a couple steps toward the door. “Emma,” I call over the chatter. “Thanks a lot, this was fun!”

The book part was fun.

Talking to Maggie was not.

I give a small wave, then I escape.

Now, if only I could escape every person in this town and their comments about my love life—or the absence thereof.

It’s getting really old and reminding me why I left this town in the first place.