Maggie curled up beside Walker on her bed and buried her face into his soft fur.She let the tears she’d been holding back flow down her cheeks as she thought about Mason and Lauren, and their devastating betrayal.
It was bad enough that Mason had cheated on her, but it was worse that he cheated on her with her best friend.She simply could not understand how Lauren would do something so despicable.
She and Lauren had been best friends forever.Maggie had never even seen any signs that Lauren had any interest in Mason.There were even a few times Lauren had hinted that Mason wasn’t good enough for Maggie.Looking back, Maggie wondered if that was Lauren’s attempt at breaking them up so Lauren could be with Mason.
She buried her face in Walker’s fur.Walker wouldn’t judge her.Not like her parents would once they found out.Like usual, they would find a way to make Mason’s infidelity her fault.Her father would brush off Mason’s actions while her mother would tell her to think about protecting her family’s name.To her patents, reputation was everything.
Maggie’s stomach lurched at the thought of having dinner with them tonight, especially since they were having company.She racked her brain to come up with an excuse.
Her phone buzzed in her purse.She sat up, quickly fished her phone out and looked at the screen.
It was a text from Mason asking her to call him back.
She glared and tossed the phone on the bed.
No way was she calling that jerk back.Walker seemed to agree and let out a snort.
There was a quick knock on her bedroom door.“Maggie, can you run to the bakery and pick up the dessert I ordered for tonight?”Her mother called out from the other side of the closed door.
Maggie rolled her eyes and stood.She had no desire to go anywhere, but maybe the fresh air would do her some good.“On my way.”She looked down at Walker and smiled.“Want to go for a ride, Walker?”
The dog let out an affirmative bark, and she laughed.
Gathering her purse and Walker’s leash, she led him out of her room to the front door.
“Maggie, what are you doing?You can’t take Walker to the bakery.He’s adog.”Her mother gave her a look like her daughter had lost her mind.
Maggie decided not to argue.She didn’t have the energy.Instead, she shrugged and hurried out the front door.“I’m not taking him into the bakery.He’ll wait in the car.”
She didn’t bother waiting to hear her mother’s words, and quickly put her dog in the passenger’s seat.Hurrying around to the driver’s side, she slid in and started the engine.
Walker gave her a toothy grin when she rolled his window down.He stuck his head out and let the wind blow through his fur.
He looked like a younger version of himself.He looked happy.
Maggie quickly found a parking spot in front of the bakery and pulled in.She reached over and patted Walker on the head.“I’ll be right back, boy.”
Maggie climbed out of her car and walked to the bakery.She glanced over her shoulder as she opened the door to see Walker resting his head on the window and watching the people strolling along the sidewalk.
The sweet scent of buttercream frosting and cinnamon wafted over her.The comforting aroma pulled her back in time, reminding her of childhood birthday parties.
A time when things were simpler.A time when things were happier.
She bent to look at the display case of cinnamon rolls the size of a dinner plate while she waited her turn.
“Your mother would tell you no respectable lady would order something so big.She would say to choose the macaroon instead of the cinnamon roll.”
Maggie straightened at the familiar voice.
“Daniel.What a nice surprise running into you.”She smiled at her old friend and gave him a quick hug.“And I’m not here for cinnamon rolls.Mom ordered a dessert for dinner tonight.”Maggie took in his longer hair and shook her head.“It’s been a while.”
She had been best friends with Daniel Baylor all through middle school and junior high.His dad was the beloved vet of the town.Often his father would bring home an animal that had surgery earlier in the day to keep a close eye on them overnight.She could remember many times going over to his house to see a pet being nursed back to health.
Daniel studied her and nodded.“It has been a while.I hear college is going well.At least that’s what your mom told my dad when she brought Walker in.”His expression hardened.
Maggie frowned.“I’m out for summer break.Just got home today.”She cocked her head.“I didn’t realize it was time for Walker’s shots.”
He gave her an accusing look.‘It’s not.”He turned his attention back to Mrs.Wilson, the owner of the bakery, and grabbed his bag of goodies.“Thank you, Mrs.Wilson.”He gave Maggie a look before walking out the door.
