“What time do you need to be there?” he asked.
“Around five,” she said innocently. “So I was thinking I better start walking around four to give myself plenty of time.”
“I’ll pick you up at four thirty,” he said dryly.
“Really? Oh that would be so sweet!” she gushed. “It’s not too much trouble?”
He chuckled and she could just imagine him shaking his head at her antics.
“Well, I can’t have you walking. You’ll probably drum up another storm with your luck,” he teased.
“It is a possibility,” she laughed with him. “Alright, if you’re sure you don’t mind. Guess I’ll see you around four.” She tried to get off the phone before he could change his mind.
“Maggie?” he caught her before she hung up.
“Yes?”
“I’m not staying at the barbeque.” His tone became serious. His moods could shift so quickly.
“Oh sure, no problem. I’m sure I’ll be able to find a ride home,” she assured him. “See you soon.” She hung up and immediately began forming the next part of her plan.
~∞~
“Just how much potato salad did you make?” Aaron laughed as he helped Maggie carry the four large bowls to the truck.
“Do you think it’s too much?” she asked innocently. “I wanted to make sure I made enough.” To warrant needing your help to get it to town, she added silently.
“I think there will definitely be enough.” He smiled as they climbed in the truck. She loved to see him smiling. He once again seemed like the carefree Aaron that she’d first met.
“I hope everyone likes it.”
“I’m sure they will. But don’t worry, if there are any leftovers I’d be happy to help with those.” He looked over at her and winked playfully. She loved this side of him, even though it confused her. He was definitely flirting now, but in the blink of an eye she knew he’d push her away again.
“Or you could just stick around and make sure I don’t have any leftovers,” she suggested casually, trying her luck. She looked over at him from the corner of her eye. His smile had faded.
“They don’t want me there, Maggie.” His tone was quiet and his smile gone. The sad man was back.
“I want you there.” She’d never felt so vulnerable. Once again she was putting her feelings on the line. Would he reject her again?
“You shouldn’t,” he remarked sadly.
“Why?” her tone was pleading. She just wanted to understand.
He pulled the truck to a stop just outside the town square. Maggie could see the crowd in the distance. She made no move to exit the truck. She turned to face Aaron he continued to stare out the windshield.
“I like you, Maggie.” Her heart thrilled at the confirmation “I like you enough to tell you that you’re better off without me. You should just go and enjoy the barbeque.”
“I don’t want to. I’d much rather sit here with you,” she answered honestly. At the moment there was nowhere else she’d rather be. But would he push her away again? She could feel her heart racing with anxiety. She waited patiently as she saw him struggling with his own emotions.
“You don’t make it easy to stay away from you,” he said quietly as he shook his head.
“Then stop trying,” she suggested softly. He fell silent for a few minutes. She had the feeling that this moment would be the turning point for them, he would either push her away for the final time or he’d finally let her in.
“What about your potato salad?” he finally said, and she could hear a note of playfulness in his voice. He turned toward her for the first time and she saw the smile in his eyes. She took the first deep breath she’d been able to take since this conversation had started.
“It will take us quite a while to eat it all, but I think if we really put our minds to it we can manage it,” she said with mock seriousness. He cracked a small smile and she answered it with a huge smile of her own. He shook his head, laughing softly.
“You don’t give up easily, do you?” he asked. Maggie turned away from him, hiding the guilt that was suddenly weighing down on her. His words reminded her of just how easily she actually had given up.
“Come on. Let’s get this spectacle over with,” he said, stepping out of the truck. She smiled as he came around and opened her door for her. But something was still a little off about her smile, something haunted her, and this was the first time since arriving in Georgia that she’d acknowledged it. She knew she couldn’t hide from her past forever.