Page 36 of Blood that Burns
The sisters were always looking out for each other. Those girls were never what they seemed, both having to grow up faster than any child ever should. Despite their acts and circumstances, Maggie remained free-spirited and easygoing. Marina became stuffy and hard. They’re complete opposites in every way. Marina is perfectly suited for my uptight older brother.
He might’ve gotten his happy ending with Marina, but that’s not in the cards for Maggie and me, and I won’t have him or anyone else putting those delusions in her head.
We sort through my father’s journals and loose papers, organizing them by date, the best we can. Neither one of us says a word for a while as we attempt to find something that answers at least one question in the never-ending pileup.
“Now that Maggie’s back, you don’t intend to pursue her?” Julian doesn’t look at me when he asks. “I mean... for the legend’s sake.”
“No, I...” I shake my head. “No.”
His head lifts and that stupid look of confusion is back, but he’s smart enough not to pry.
I’m about to fill him in on every reason why I’m no good for Maggie when I feel her. She’s close by.
I tap into that connection, if only to determine that she’s okay. Or so I tell myself. I’m instantly filled with a confidence I’ve never felt Maggie exude. She’s full of self-assurance mixed with a little apprehension. But why?
I have my answer in less than a minute when she’s standing in the doorway. The wind is knocked out of me with one simple look. Holy. Shit.
The girl who wore frilly dresses and bows in her hair is gone. Before me stands a woman, one who doesn’t fidget or avert my gaze. No, her eyes bore into mine as if to say,Now do you see me?
I do. I always have.
But not in the ways she wants. I allowed a slip once before, and it nearly broke us. I won’t allow that to happen again. Her friendship means more to me than a simple fling, which is all I could ever offer.
Despite knowing better, my eyes scan her. She’s wearing a white sweater dress that’s just shy of scandalous. Dark brown knee-high boots mold to her legs, and I can’t seem to draw my stare away from that exposed skin.
Julian clears his throat and I shove down the growl that threatens to escape at his less-than-tactful reminder that I’m not supposed to see Maggie as anything other than a child. My head snaps to his, and I don’t miss the way he smothers a grin under his fist.
Dick.
When I turn back to Maggie, her smile damn near brings me to my knees. Her golden hair hangs in waves, and the urge to touch it has me balling my hands into fists at my sides.
My sunshine. My light.
Inhaling deeply, I pull my eyes away and attempt to appear aloof. I clear my throat, hoping the words will come out even, and say the first thing that comes to mind. “You might as well pull up a chair. We can all trade stories.”
I need to pull myself together.
This sort of reaction cannot happen.