Page 68 of Keep Vegas

“How are you the most optimistic person in the world?”

“It’s easier than being upset all the time.” She glances around the room and winces a little when her eyes pass over the dead animal den.

“How’s your life?”

Her face pinches up for a second, then her chipper voice returns, “Great. Kevin and I are painting pottery tomorrow, and this weekend we’re going to see the hot-air balloons at dawn.”

“Your life is a Hallmark movie.” I sip the tea she made for me. Tastes a bit like a candle, but she’s sweet so I’ll drink it.

Her voice is bubbling and sincere, “Thank you! I love that.”

“Thank you,” I say, because she’s the only steadfast nonjudgmental thing in my life. Always has been. I judge myself enough for the two of us, so I like that her role remains constant.

“For what?” Maggie asks. She honestly doesn’t know.

“For putting up with my miserable ass.”

“You make life interesting. Go start fixing this. And don’t count Tony out just yet, He’s incredibly busy with the launch, right?”

“I totally forgot. He’s worked so hard on it. I forgot it’s this week. See, I’m the most selfish person ever.” I moan and toss a pillow over my head.

Maggie says, “Yeah, because all people stop their lives to take care of their parents and then become doctors. You selfish hussy.”

I laugh. “You know what I mean.” I peek out from behind my pillow and Maggie has settled back into her couch opposite my own. I’ve decided I own this couch now. It’s that good.

“Did you know he took a month off from work? Not now but after the big mucky muck cooking launch thing? He’s apparently never taken a vacation for real.” I cross my legs under her and pause to think about that. Why would he do that?

I say, “I didn’t. Colt?”

“Yeah. He told me.” She shouldn’t still be chatting with him. It’s dangerous for her.

“Are you two friends?”

“I, uh.” Maggie bites the side of her lip and doesn’t fully answer me.

I kind of scold her. “Stop talking to him. He’s married with kids. And you know this, you’re not the cheating type. And emotional cheating is a thing.”

“It’s not like that. We don’t bitch about our marriages or confide secrets. It’s more casual. Other than you, he was the best friend I ever had. We honestly are just friends. But Kevin doesn’t like it, so I’ll probs stop talking to him.”

I stare at her. She never steps out of line, but this doesn’t feel right.

“I know what it looks like, but I’ve never hidden my friendship from my husband. But I’ll stop.”

I cock my head towards her.

She leaps up and shakes her arms out and says, “I get it. I do. I’m no cheater.”

“No, but you are a flirt. Don’t dance that line, sweetie.”

“I won’t and neither will he.” I stand up and hug her. She smiles weakly and says, “Do you want to study while I lesson plan? We can go to the craft room which has a giant table.”

“Ugh, I need a tutor. Biochem is killing me and after fucking up class today.” I pick up my book and then lean against the edge of her couch. I don’t want to think about anything except for peptides.

“Hey, sorry. I didn’t mean to bring you down with the talk of gathering around my perfect craft table.” She grins but then sees my face that I can no longer hide from anyone. My face has fallen, and it can’t get up. She scoots over to me and puts her arm around me. And it all flows out instantly. I sob in her arms.

“What if…” I blubber out.

She says brightly, “Exactly, what if!”