Chapter Ten

Maggie

The final days of rehearsal are flying by. They’re long and exhausting and happening too fast. The pressure’s mounting and with each passing hour, I feel more like I’m drowning. Thank God for Jonah. Every time I see him, every time we find a moment to connect, it’s like he’s the only thing holding me together.

We’re trying to keep this thing between us under wraps until after the performance. Some people have started to notice, but so far, it hasn’t hit the press, and we’re hoping to keep it that way.

But it’s hard. It’s hard to keep everything hidden when I just want to be close to him.

Finally, after what feels like the longest rehearsal ever, I’m on my way to Jonah. He’s standing by the exit, waiting for me, looking effortlessly cool in a leather jacket and those jeans that make me lose my breath every time. I want to run to him, but I hold myself together as I walk toward him.

“Hey,” I say, offering him a tired smile. “We still on for later?”

He smiles back, but there’s something in his eyes that makes me hesitate. “Yeah,” he says, but it doesn’t sound as certain as usual. “I’ve just gotta meet with Vera real quick. You know, business stuff. I’ll come over as soon as I can.”

I nod, trying to ignore the disappointment that bubbles up. It’s not like he’s choosing work over me, but I can’t help the way my heart sinks. “Okay, I’ll just go home and you can come over when you’re done.”

Jonah reaches out, gently pulling me in for a quick kiss. It’s warm and soft, but there’s an edge to it today like he’s holding something back. “I’ll be there, Maggie. I promise.”

I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips as I pull away. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”

“I won’t,” he says, his voice thick with meaning.

I wave him off and head toward the door, but halfway down the hallway, something hits me. I left my phone in the rehearsal space. I groan to myself and turn back, muttering under my breath. I push open the door and hear Jonah’s voice.

At first, I think nothing of it. He’s probably just talking to his publicist about the performance, some final tweaks, and last-minute details. Then I start to hear what they’re saying.

“Jonah, you know what we need to do,” Vera says, her tone sharp and calculating. “We can’t let this opportunity slip through our fingers. This relationship with Maggie is a PR goldmine.”

My heart skips a beat as I stop dead in my tracks. I don’t want to hear this. I should walk away, turn around, and leave, but I’m frozen. My phone is forgotten in my hand, the screen glowing in the dim light of the hallway.

Jonah’s voice cuts through the air, hesitant, almost apologetic. “I didn’t want it to look like this. I wasn’t planning—”

Vera interrupts him, cutting him off like she’s not even listening to his words. “It doesn’t matter how it looks, Jonah. This is what we agreed on. The public needs this. It’ll boost your image, and Maggie will be the perfect angle. We’re talking about your future here.”

I can hear the unease in Jonah’s voice now. “But what if Maggie doesn’t know that’s what’s going on? What if she thinks it’s real?”

Vera’s response is cool, almost cold. “She’ll be fine. It’s part of the plan, Jonah. You’re not hurting her. You’re doing what’s best for both of you. This is the life you signed up for.”

I feel my stomach drop, the weight of everything crashing down on me. The words cut deep. It’s a betrayal. Jonah never really cared for me. This whole thing has been nothing but a show.

I don’t want to eavesdrop on this conversation anymore. I don’t want to hear any more of this. I tighten my grip on my phone, turn on my heel, and rush out of the room without making a sound.

The world feels like it’s spinning, and I can’t catch my breath. I barely make it out of the building before I start to shake, the weight of the last few minutes settling heavily on my shoulders.

I thought Jonah was different. I thought this thing between us was real. But maybe it’s just a game to him after all. Maybe I’ve been nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s plan.

I don’t know what to believe anymore.

I don’t know what’s real.

***

Jonah

“I never wanted it to feel like this,” I tell Vera, trying to keep my voice steady, though I feel anything but. “This wasn’t the plan. I didn’t think... I didn’t think I’d care about her like this.”

Vera leans back in her chair, a smug look on her face. “It doesn’t matter, Jonah. This is your career we’re talking about. It’s a PR move, a good one. You’ve done worse for less.”

“That’s not the point,” I snap, running a hand through my hair. “I’m not using her, Vera. I won’t let her think that’s what this is. I didn’t agree to any of that.”

She raises an eyebrow, cool and composed. “You think the press will care about your intentions? This thing is already out there, Jonah. If you don’t play along, it’ll look worse for both of you. She’s getting good publicity from this, too. It’s a win-win.”

I stand up abruptly, pacing the room. “It’s not a win if she thinks I’m lying to her. Maggie matters to me. This thing between us—” I stop, shaking my head. “It’s real. She’s not some pawn in your PR game.”

Vera crosses her arms, her tone sharp. “Then you’d better figure out how to explain it to her before the story breaks.”

I don’t even respond. I grab my jacket and storm out, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders. I need to talk to Maggie. Now.

When I get to her apartment, I knock, then knock again. Nothing. I press my ear to the door—silence. Where is she? My heart starts to pound.

I pull out my phone and call her. Straight to voicemail. I try again, the same result.

I start to panic. Maggie always answers. Always. I shoot her a quick text:

JONAH: Hey, Maggie. I really need to talk to you. Please call me when you can.

I wait a few minutes, staring at my phone like I can will it to ring. Nothing. I feel a pit forming in my stomach. Where could she be? Why isn’t she answering?

I start walking, pacing the block around her apartment, my thoughts racing. Maybe she’s still in the rehearsal space. No, she’d already left before me. Could she be with her sisters? If I had Rosie’s number, I’d call her, but I don’t. Would it be crazy to just show up at Rosie and Alex’s place? Maybe Rosie knows where she is. But then again, maybe I should wait. Maybe I’m overreacting.

I stop mid-step, shaking my head. Maggie’s an adult; she doesn’t need me freaking out because she’s not answering her phone. Still, this doesn’t feel right. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but the longer I go without hearing from her, the harder it is to stay calm.

Hours pass, and I’m still staring at my phone. Still no word. I’ve texted her three times and called her four. Nothing.

That’s it. I’m going to Rosie’s.

I grab my keys and head out, trying to keep myself from spiraling. Maybe she’s there. Maybe she just forgot her phone or I don’t know. But I have to find out. Because the idea of Maggie missing or being upset for some reason is more than I can take.

When I pull up to Rosie and Alex’s house, I sit in the car for a moment, gathering myself. The lights are on, and I can see shadows moving inside. They’re home. Good. Now I just have to hope they’ll hear me out and that Maggie’s here.

I take a deep breath, then get out of the car and head to the front door, praying I haven’t already messed this up beyond repair.