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“Sorry to hear that,” Gray said, eyeing Marc, then turning to her. “Are you sure you want to stay there while you’re in town?”
She appreciated his concern. “My father passed away three years ago. It’s just my mom and sister living there now. I haven’t seen them in a long time.”
Maggie took her hand. “And just like when we were kids, when family stuff gets to be too much, you can always come stay with me.”
Marc brushed his hand across Maggie’s shoulders. “So you’re not going to come over to the hotel and sneak into my room?”
Maggie looked confused. “You’re the one who wanted to wait until our wedding night.”
“I didn’t want to stay at your parents’ place because you know I can’t keep my hands off you. They barely know me. The last thing I want is them hearing us going at each other all night.”
Maggie blushed. “They’ll probably pretend they didn’t hear anything because they’re too excited about getting a grandbaby.”
Rose eyed Maggie. “Are you two...”
“No,” Maggie quickly answered. “We want kids, it’s just we’ve... Everything’s happened so quickly. We want to take some time before we...”
Marc kissed Maggie on the side of the head. “We want to enjoy being newlyweds for a little while. But soon. Because I can’t wait to be a dad. And Maggie will be such a wonderful wife and mother.”
Maggie blushed again and leaned into Marc.
They really did seem happy and on the same page about their future.
“You guys are going to be great together.” Rose meant it. In the moment, she even felt it.
Marc held her gaze. “I’m glad you think so. Your opinion matters a lot to Maggie. I want her to be happy. And starting with our wedding day, I’m going to spend every day making sure she is.”
The skeptical part of Rose wondered why he’d start on their wedding day, instead of making a point to make Maggie happy every day they were together.
The trepidation in Gray’s eyes said he’d caught it, too.
Maggie shifted back into her seat, picked up her margarita, and downed the last of it. A sense of unease settled over all of them.
Marc broke the tension. “Who wants another round?”
“I’ve already had two.” Maggie set down her empty glass.
Gray shook his head. “I’m good.”
“I’m driving.” Rose was always careful about how much she drank, especially when she was driving.
She remembered so many car rides as a kid wishing for the police to pull her father over and at least give him a ticket,if not arrest him, for driving while intoxicated. Some kind of consequence for putting himself, his family, other drivers, and pedestrians at risk. Even now she could feel the weight of the tension in that car, how she’d hold her breath hoping they got home okay.
Marc waved for the waitress. “You guys don’t know how to have a good time. It’s Friday night. No one has work tomorrow. We’re supposed to be celebrating.”
Maggie patted Marc’s thigh. “You’re right. I’ll have another. Rose can drive me home tonight and I can pick up my car here tomorrow.” Maggie straightened her back. “Oh. Let’s order appetizers. They make the best potato skins here. And those chicken flautas you love, Rose, with the mango chili sauce to dip them in.”
Rose wasn’t that hungry, but she went along. “Sounds good. And I’m driving you home, so I’ll have a soda.”
Marc placed the order with the waitress, adding another bourbon for Gray, who just shrugged and went along, too.
The karaoke got worse as the night went on because people were drinking, lost their inhibitions, and were having a good time. The mood at the table got a little boisterous when they debated the best baking show. She and Gray agreedThe Great British Bake Offwon hands down for elevating home bakers and showing camaraderie during competition. Plus the unbelievably artistic execution for breads and desserts that were too pretty to eat.
Marc didn’t watch many cooking shows, but adorably backedup Maggie’s pick for theKids Baking Championship. Rose and Gray couldn’t disagree that the kids were phenomenal and supercute. But they did argue that there was something charming and calming inThe Great British Bake Offthat made the whole experience of watching relaxing. The show allowed you to wallow in laziness and binge-eat breads and sweets while wishing you were tasting the treats shown on TV.
Of course, theKidsshow also made you crave cake.
When Marc and Maggie started arguing if they should get a cat or dog before they had a child, Rose and Gray bowed out after agreeing with Maggie that they should get a dog. Marc didn’t necessarily want a cat, but argued they could leave the cat at home alone for a few days so they could take off for the weekend without having to board a dog or get someone to puppy sit.
