I snuck out that night.
I knew the route to Leo's house by heart. I ran the whole way, keeping the tiny clover cupped in my hand and close to my heart. Getting inside Leo's house was easy. I was small enough to slip through the bars of the mansion's front gate and smart enough to know Mr. Maddox liked to leave windows open at night. Finding Leo in his giant house was the hard part. He wasn't in his room, his playroom, the game room, or the TV room—it took me forever to find him.
He was in the library. I should have looked there first since Leo loved to read. He'd spend hours and hours reading. And not the picture books I liked, the chapter book kind. I found him in the library, but he wasn't reading. He sat in a corner with his knees clutched to his chest and tears in his eyes. I'd never seen Leo cry before.
“I brought you something,” I whispered, kneeling down beside him.
It scared me to see Leo sad like that. I expected him to yell at me, tell me to go home, or tattle on me to his dad. He did none of those things. Instead, he used the palm of his hand to brush away his tears. I didn't have to remind him I was Clara and not Maggie either. Sometimes even Daddy mixed us up, but Leo could always tell us apart.
I held up the little shamrock by its stem. “It's the clover we found. You can have it now.”
“I don't want that,” he said, looking down. “We decided you were gonna keep it safe, remember?”
“I know, but my Mommy's already gone. If you have the clover, then you will be lucky. Then your Mommy will come back.”
“My Mom's not coming back.”
Wetness filled my eyes. “Don't say that.”
“Do you wish I would disappear too?”
“No. Why would I wish that?”
Leo looked up at me. His blue eyes glowed...the tears in them made them glow. “I think I do want to keep it,” he said. “I might need it one day. But we have to hide it because my dad would throw it away if he found it. Have you been keeping it in a book like I told you?”
I nodded.
“Pick a new one in here to hide it in.”
I wandered around the Maddox's great big library. The books covered the room from floor to ceiling, reminding me of the library from The Beauty and the Beast. But the books were all grown-up books. How could I even pick? I finally just chose one I could easily reach. “Is this one good?” I tried to read the front cover. “Great Exp—? Great Experiments?”
“Great Expectations,” Leo corrected.
“Have you read it?”
“No.”
“Do you think your dad will read it and find our clover?”
Leo opened the book and tucked the little clover safely between the pages. “No. My dad never reads these books,” he told me, putting Great Expectations back in its place on the shelf.
“Why does he have a giant library if he never reads?”
“The same reason he has eighteen cars.”
“Why does he have eighteen cars?”
“You ask too many questions.”
“Can I ask one more?”
“Okay.”
“What will you use the clover for?”
A strange look came over Leo's face. Usually I annoyed him, but this wasn’t his usual 'I-hate-your-guts' look. “Because,” he whispered. “I'm going to ask you to marry me one day, Clara. And I'm going to need all the luck in the world.”
“Why? Don't you want to marry Maggie?”
Leo didn't answer me because the library light flipped on and a cold voice reverberated throughout the room, “Leonardo. What are you doing in here?”
“Great Expectations,” I said aloud, still lost in thought.
“What does that mean?” Leo asked.
“Nothing.”
I can't say how long I'd been clinging onto Leo or how many stops we'd passed on the subway. All I know is that it felt kind of wonderful holding him—so wonderful, in fact, that I couldn't do it a second longer. Call me a ten-piece-chicken-shit-value-meal, but I had to get away. Right that second.
Leo's face fell because I think he knew what was coming. The fear ricocheting through my bones was reflected in his eyes.
“Don't, Clara,” he pleaded. “Stop overthinking this.”
“I have to go.”
For once in my life, timing was in my favor. Or not, depending on how you looked at it. The train stopped at some random destination along our route, the doors slid open, and as people started to move off the train, I let my arms drop, keeping my eyes on Leo for one last lingering moment.
“I'm going back to Steph's. Let me go.”
He didn't have a chance to react because I jumped off the train just before the doors closed again. Feeling like the biggest bitch on the planet, I stood on the platform and watched Leo as the train pulled away. My heart shattered in my chest, but I had to do what I had to do. Being with Leo, dating Leo, falling in love with Leo—whatever the hell was happening between us—did not fit into my plans. Arizona was no place for a guy like Leo Maddox. And my dream of Arizona was something I couldn't give up.
CHAPTER 13
MAGGIE
The doorbell rang. Dad was out back grilling burgers with Anita, so it was up to me to answer. Expecting to find Robby and his daughter, I pulled open the door. “Hi, come on—” I started, but immediately snapped my mouth shut.
Andrew Wellington.
He stood there in his pressed plaid shorts and polo shirt, his brown boy-band hair perfectly gelled into place, a smug smile on his lips, and flowers in his hands. In all the time we'd dated, he'd never showed up on my doorstep with flowers. Clara sure had him wrapped around her finger. I glared at him, hatred oozing out of my pores. We'd broken up...didn’t that mean I wouldn’t have to see him anymore?
“Maggie?” he asked, his eyes flickering briefly to my chest, as if that was the only way of telling me and Clara apart. I didn't understand it. Leo could tell us apart blindfolded...why couldn't he? I’d only dated the fool for four years.
“What?” I huffed.
“I should have guessed it was you, M&M. Clara never gives me that sour face. Is she around?”
“I told you to never call me M&M again! And no, she isn't home.”
I started to shut the door, but he reached up and stopped me.
“Do you know when she'll be home?”
“Tomorrow. She's in New York City with...a friend.” I desperately wanted to rub it in his face that she was with Leo, but I wanted him to leave as soon as possible and that didn’t seem like the best way to make that happen. Also, I did it for Leo's sake—I knew he wouldn't want Andrew in his business.
“Cool,” he said. “I'll swing by tomorrow then.” He started down the porch steps, calling out, “Later, M&M.”
I groaned and slammed the door. Seconds later, the doorbell rang again. “What now, Andrew?” I demanded, yanking hard on the door. But it wasn't Andrew on the other side.
It was Robby and a very cute little girl, who was standing behind his legs. My heart did a little pitter-patter at the sight of him. He now wore khakis and a button-up shirt, and his thick, brown hair was still slightly damp from a recent shower. Had he dressed up just for me?
“Was he bothering you?” Robby asked, frowning and looking toward the street where Andrew's BMW screeched away from my house.
“His existence alone bothers me,” I said, holding the door open wide. “Come on in.”
Robby walked past me, pulling his daughter along behind him. With her chocolate-brown pigtails and honey-golden eyes, she was the spitting image of her daddy. Never before had I seen a more adorable kid. Just looking at her made my frustrations about guys fade into the background.
Valerie glanced up at me with eyes as wide as saucers. “Hi,” she whispered in a sweet little voice. “Are you Maggie?”
“Yes.” I bent over so I would be at her eye level. “Are you Valerie?”
She nodded.
“It's very nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her hand. “You're way too cute. How old are
you?”
“Five,” she replied shyly.
“You're tall for five.” I didn't have much experience around kids, but she seemed tall. I guessed that was another trait she got from her daddy. “Want to come see my room?” I glanced up at Robby for his approval and he nodded, an unreadable expression on his face. So I captured Valerie's hand in mine and led her toward the staircase.
“I'm gonna go say ‘hello’ to Maggie's Dad,” Robby told her. “You'll love Maggie's room, sweetie. It looks like a princess's room…at least it used to. I'll be up there in a minute, okay?”
“Okay.” She nodded. Even her freaking nod was adorable.
“It still looks like a princess room,” I said as we started up the steps. My eyes connected briefly with Robby's as we went. He smiled at me, and it wasn't the typical 'I'm-trying-to-get-in-your-pants' smile that I usually got from men. It was just a simple friendly smile so I returned the gesture and continued up the stairs.
Growing up, I'd been the biggest girly-girl ever—I guess I still was—and my room showcased that side of my personality. The walls were painted in pink and purple stripes, and I had a canopy bed with flowing sheer curtains and a powder-pink bedspread. There were about two dozen butterfly paintings of various sizes and designs scattered throughout my room and bathroom. They were dramatic and unique—Dad had hired an artist to create them for me—and my favorite thing about the room.
As Valerie and I entered the space, she gasped. Her mouth dropped open and she stared up at the walls. “It's so pretty,” she said, spinning in a full circle.
“I kept all my old Barbies from when I was little,” I told her. “Do you want to see them?”
She nodded, so I went into my closet and lugged out the tote where they were still stored.
“My twin sister Clara always hated Barbies,” I told her, dragging the tote out into the middle of my room. “I used to make my friend Leo play with me sometimes, but he's a boy so I never really had anyone to play with. Want to play with me now?”
Those were the magic words. We emptied the tote and immediately started digging through my collection. I'd been pretty particular about keeping my dolls in perfect condition and most of them were close to brand new.
After about ten minutes, I glanced up to find Robby standing in my door frame, watching us play. A giant pile of clothes and dolls littered my floor. One of his signature smiles crossed his lips as he took in the scene. He seemed larger than life and transcended time, standing in my doorway like we were teenagers again. I smiled back at him, not really able to stop myself.
“She's never going to want to go home.”
“Maybe that's my plan,” I returned. “Maybe I'll just keep her.”
“She'd probably like that. Do you mind if I join you?”
I nodded and Robby moved further into my room, sitting on the ground next to Valerie.
“No, Daddy,” she said, shoving at his side. “Girls only. You're a boy.”
He laughed out loud. “I can't play too?”
“No.”
“But we need someone to play Ken,” I said. Finding one of my Ken-dolls, I handed it over to Robby. “You can only stay if you play with Ken.” He surprised me by taking the doll and playing along. I got the impression that Valerie and Robby played like this all the time. I bit my lip as I watched the interaction—they were both just way too cute.
“She's adorable,” I told him.
“She likes you.”
“I like her too.” Brushing at the hair of the Barbie in my hand, I avoided his eyes. “She's like your mini-me.”
“There's something you should know,” he told me, his already low voice going an octave lower. “I didn't tell your dad the full truth earlier. I'm back in Blue Creek because I want to stay here for good. I bought Mike's, but I don't have any intention of selling it. You know my mom moved us around too much growing up, and I don't want the same for Valerie. In the last five years, we’ve lived in three different cities. I want Blue Creek to be our permanent home. And I'd really like your family to be part of my life again. This sounds crazy, given our history, and I hardly have any right to say it, but I've missed you guys.”
Heat shot through me at his words. I don't think I knew it until just this moment, but maybe I'd missed him too.
“Do you think we could be friends?” he asked, cooling me off instantly.
“Friends?” I repeated, testing the word on my tongue. Robby and I hadn't really been friends the first time around. Not in the way Leo and I were friends, at least.
“I know you have plenty of them, but I don't. You don't have to answer now…just think it over. Get back to me.” He started to pick up my Barbies, putting them back in the tote. “C'mon, Valerie. It's time to clean up. I'm sure dinner is ready downstairs.”
Valerie didn't complain and hurried to do as he'd asked. Once all the dolls were safely put away, I couldn't stop myself from blurting out the truth.
“I barely have any real friends,” I admitted. Robby and Valerie both stared at me, listening to my words. “I have tons of casual friends, but not many true friends. It's like high school. I used to be pretty popular, but I haven't kept in touch with a single person from back then. I have the feeling that college will be the same. Leo's all I've got...” I sighed, watching as Valerie started to pull on Robby's arm. My big speech bored the little girl and Robby probably thought I was pathetic for admitting all of this. And I wasn't even sure why I was admitting this, since I never had before. I had Leo. I'd never needed anyone else. “Sorry, I'm rambling.”
“You aren't rambling.” He swung Valerie up in his strong arms effortlessly and then didn’t miss a beat as he continued talking. “I'm the same way. It's hard to stay close to people when you're constantly moving.”
“At least you have an excuse,” I muttered.
“Not really. Why do you think I move so much?” he asked. Before I could give that another thought, he quickly added, “So, was that a yes? We can be friends?”
“Yes.” I didn't hesitate as I said the word. He gave me a huge smile, and then the three of us headed downstairs for dinner.
“There you are,” Dad said, his eyes taking in Valerie. His face blanched for a fleeting moment before he bent down to her level and gushed over the little girl. When he stood back up, he gestured toward the spread of food in front of us. “Sit. Eat. I was just telling Anita about the charity tournament in Miami coming up next week and our vacation home down there.” He turned back to Anita—who looked like she was drowning in Dad's charm—and went on, “My house is right on Biscayne Bay, overlooking the Miami skyline. I only get down there about once a year, but it's something to see. Tell her about it Maggie.”
“It is very beautiful—” I started but then I felt my phone vibrate in the pocket of my shorts. Assuming it was Leo, I pulled it out for a quick peek. Clara? I stood up immediately. Clara and I never called each other—ever. So it didn't matter that I was in the middle of dinner, I had to answer.
I excused myself and, pressing the phone to my ear, I rushed back inside the house. If Clara was calling me, then something must be terribly wrong. My twin spidey-senses were ringing as I headed for the nearest hall closet, hiding myself inside the dark space and preparing for the worst. “Clara?” I answered, my voice unusually panicky. “Is everything okay? Is Leo okay?”
“My phone's gonna die,” she said, sounding like her normal unaffected, emotionally-void self, “so listen up.” No ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ or ‘how's it going.’ She jumped right into conversation and expected me to keep up. “I need a couple favors. First, can you please call Leo for me? Tell him I'm sorry and I just need some space and time to think things over. Tell him I won't be flying home with him on his jet in the morning.”
“Why can't you call him and tell him all of that yourself?”
“Because my phone is gonna die so I couldn't call both of you. Second favor...can you come pick me up at the Roanoke airport tomorrow?”
Did someone
give her glue chips as a child? “That's over two hours away!”
“So? When have I ever asked you for anything? My flight gets in at 8:39 a.m. I'm not checking a giant bag or anything so you can drive your Porsche. C'mon! You know you’ll love the drive through the mountains as the sun comes up. I'll even meet you outside. Can you do that for me?”
“Why are you flying commercial and not with Leo?”
She huffed. “I don't want to talk about it.”
“Well, I'm not coming to pick you up unless you do.”
I'm not sure if Clara's phone died or if she hung up on me, but our connection was suddenly cut off. The nerve of her, just expecting me to drop everything and come rushing to her aid. I guess that's what sisters were for…but still.
My phone buzzed again. A different, unknown number lit up the screen. “What?” I answered, my patience gone.
“It's Clara again.”
“Yeah, I figured. I'll come get you tomorrow.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“Yeah, okay. Bye.”
We both hung up at the same time. I took a couple deep breaths, reeling. Why did it have to always be this way between us? Our whole lives had been like this. I'm not even sure where we went wrong or why we couldn’t get along, but I wasn't about to analyze it now. I had to call Leo and break Clara's oh-so-wonderful news.
I dialed the familiar number, but his cell rang and rang. Just when I thought he was going to ignore my call, he answered.
“Maggie!” he shouted cheerfully. “What's up, baby doll?”
At the words ‘baby doll,’ my heart jumped inside my chest. My breathing became sporadic and I swear I could feel all of the blood pumping through my body. I knew he was drunk—he sounded like he’d taken a bath in a martini glass or eight and came out of it whistling Dixie out of his butt. Normally that would have bothered me but not tonight. Tonight, I was just happy hearing his voice. Maybe it was only a comfort thing or maybe…could it be more?
“Hey, Leo,” I said, a little high-pitched. “Where are you?”
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