Chapter Eleven

Maggie

I don’t even remember the ride to Rosie’s house. One second, I was grabbing my phone from the rehearsal studio, and the next, I was sitting on Rosie’s couch, staring at the glowing Christmas tree in the corner. My cheeks are stiff from dried tears, and my chest still feels hollow. I want to disappear.

Rosie and Phoebe are hovering, watching me like hawks. I know they mean well, but I really don’t want to talk about what I overheard. If I open my mouth, I’ll cry again, and I’ve cried enough today.

“Maggie,” Rosie says softly, sitting next to me. “You’ve got to tell us what’s going on. You look like you’ve been through a hurricane.”

Phoebe flops down on my other side, sandwiching me between them. “Yeah, spill it. We’re not letting you wallow in silence.”

I sigh, knowing they won’t let this go. My voice comes out shaky. “I overheard Jonah talking to his publicist. She said… she said that he’s only with me for PR. That it was some kind of plan to clean up his image.”

Phoebe gasps. “What? That doesn’t even make sense.”

Rosie frowns, skeptical. “Are you sure? That doesn’t sound like the guy who sat at this table and let Alex and Logan give him the third degree. He promised Alex he wouldn’t hurt you, Maggie. And he seemed sincere. You saw him.”

I laugh, but it’s bitter. “Well, he’s a better actor than I thought. Maybe he should’ve been the lead in the musical instead.”

Phoebe shakes her head. “No way. Jonah’s not like that. He was so sweet to you, Maggie. I mean, the way he looked at you... come on.”

I shrug, picking at a thread on my sweater. “Sweet or not, he still said it. And if it’s all just a game to him, then I don’t want to play.”

Before either of them can respond, Ruby and June walk into the room. Their faces are serious, and for once, they aren’t giggling or whispering.

“Maggie,” Ruby says cautiously, “are you okay?”

I swipe at my face and force a smile. “I will be. I promise.”

The twins exchange a glance and then June pipes up, “Uh, Jonah Saxon’s at the door.”

My heart lurches. “What?”

“We didn’t know if you’d want him to know you’re here,” Ruby adds quickly. “So we just said we didn’t know where you were. Then we came to get Rosie.”

June crosses her arms, her expression fierce. “We also didn’t smile at him or anything. Because he made you cry.”

A fresh wave of emotion wells up, and I barely hold it back. “Thank you,” I whisper.

Rosie stands, looking down at me. “Do you want to talk to him?”

I shake my head so hard I think I might strain something. “No. I can’t. I don’t even know what I’d say.”

Phoebe nudges me gently. “Mags, maybe you should hear him out. What if there’s an explanation? Like, maybe you misunderstood.”

“I didn’t misunderstand,” I snap, harsher than I intended. “I know what I heard.”

Rosie places a hand on my shoulder. “Okay, okay. You stay here. I’ll handle it. But for the record, I still think you should talk to him.”

I nod, even though I don’t agree. My heart is pounding as Rosie heads for the door. The thought of Jonah standing outside makes me want to run and hide, but part of me aches to see him anyway.

This is such a mess.

***

Jonah

I stand at Rosie’s front door. My breath fogs in the cold air and my stomach twists with nerves. I’m not used to this—feeling helpless, not knowing what to do.

The door swings open, and the two teenage girls —Ruby and June— stare up at me. Their eyes narrow like I’ve shown up to ruin Christmas.

“Uh, hey,” I start, trying to sound casual, but my voice comes out tense. “Is Maggie here?”

The twins exchange a glance before Ruby answers, her tone clipped. “We don’t know where she is.”

“Yeah,” June adds, crossing her arms. “Sorry.”

Before I can say anything else, they disappear, leaving me standing there like an idiot. I stare at the closed door, debating whether to knock again or just walk away when it swings open a second time.

Rosie steps out, her expression calm but guarded. “Jonah,” she says, folding her arms across her chest.

“Hi.” I clear my throat, trying to gather my thoughts. “I just. Maggie didn’t come home, and she wasn’t answering her phone. I wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

“She’s fine,” Rosie says, her tone polite but firm.

I can feel my chest tightening. “What happened? Did I do something wrong?”

Rosie hesitates, it’s enough to make my heart sink further. “I think you’ll have to talk to Maggie about that,” she says carefully.

“I would if she’d answer my calls,” I reply, frustration creeping into my voice. “Rosie, I don’t even know what’s going on. One minute everything’s fine and the next... she’s just gone.”

Rosie sighs, softening slightly. “She’s safe, Jonah. That’s what matters right now. But she’s upset. You need to give her some time.”

Upset. The word feels like a punch to the gut. My mind races, replaying every moment of the day. Could it be about Vera? Did Maggie hear something? But even if she did, she knows me. She has to know I’d never...

“Rosie, please,” I say, my voice dropping. “Just tell her I didn’t mean to hurt her. Whatever it is—whatever she thinks—I didn’t mean it.”

Rosie nods, her expression softening further. “I’ll let her know. But, Jonah, this is something she has to work through herself. Give her space. And time.”

I hate every word, but I know she’s right. The only thing that matters is Maggie being okay. “She is okay?” I ask one more time, needing to hear it again.

“She is,” Rosie says, her voice steady. “I promise.”

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thanks.”

Turning, I walk back to my car, the cold biting harder now. Everything feels off—like the ground I’ve been standing on just split in two. I can’t shake the feeling that what I’ve found with Maggie is slipping through my fingers and I don’t know how to stop it.

As I slide into the driver’s seat, my phone sits silent on the console. No texts. No calls. Just a quiet reminder of how alone I feel right now.