Chapter Nine

Maggie

Rosie’s house feels like a warm, chaotic hug the second I walk in the door. The smell of amazing cooking fills the air, and Cara’s giggles echo from the living room as she shows off a new trick to her new audience.

Rosie and Phoebe rush over to greet me, pulling me into a tight group hug. I can’t help but laugh at how much I’ve missed this —my sisters, their energy, their love. No matter how crazy life gets, being with them always feels like home.

“Finally, the band is back together,” Rosie says, squeezing my shoulder.

“With a few additions,” Phoebe adds, her arms full with one of her one-year-old twins.

I take the baby from her, kissing his chubby cheek and inhaling that sweet baby scent. “Hello, my handsome nephew,” I coo. “Aunt Maggie missed you so much.”

While I’m busy doting on one twin, Logan appears with the other. “You’re gonna spoil them,” he teases, handing me a bottle to feed the little one I’m holding.

“That’s the point,” I say with a grin.

After a few minutes of baby cuddles, Cara comes bounding into the room. “Aunt Maggie!” she squeals, throwing herself at my legs.

I scoop her up, twirling her around. “Cara-bear! What have you been up to?”

“Ruby and June are here!” she announces proudly. “We’re going to play in my room!”

I look over to see Logan’s younger twin sisters, now fifteen and so grown up it makes my heart ache a little. They give me quick hugs before heading upstairs with Cara.

Meanwhile, Alex and Logan take the babies to the playroom, leaving me with Rosie and Phoebe. As soon as the guys are out of earshot, my sisters turn to me with matching expectant looks.

“Okay, spill,” Rosie says, crossing her arms. “You already texted us that Jonah’s coming to dinner, so don’t act like we’re not dying for details.”

I laugh nervously, tugging at the hem of my sweater. “I know, I know. And sorry for springing him on you last minute, Rosie.”

She waves it off. “Please, like I care. I just want to know what to expect.”

Phoebe leans in closer, her eyes sparkling. “And how you feel about him,” she adds. “Don’t leave anything out.”

My cheeks heat as I glance between them. “Fine, but no interrupting,” I warn, which makes them both laugh because they always interrupt.

Taking a deep breath, I admit, “I think I’m falling for him.”

The squeals that follow could probably be heard two streets over.

“Oh my God!” Phoebe practically bounces. “Maggie Stone, are you seriously falling for a bad boy rockstar?”

Rosie grabs my hands, her smile wide. “You really like him, don’t you?”

“I do,” I say, my voice softer now. “He’s not what I expected. He’s sweet and thoughtful. I don’t know, he just makes me feel alive.”

Phoebe gasps dramatically. “Have you two… you know?”

I gape at her, horrified, just as Alex strolls back into the room.

“Have they what?” he asks, pausing mid-step.

“Nothing!” I blurt, my face flaming.

Phoebe, however, is unbothered. “I asked if they’ve had sex,” she says matter-of-factly.

Alex groans, throwing his hands up. “I don’t want to hear about Maggie having sex. She’s my little sister!”

I walk over and kiss his cheek, grinning. “I don’t want you to hear about it either, Alex.”

Phoebe smirks, undeterred. “Excuse me, but you asked me about my sex life in front of everyone at Rosie’s wedding rehearsal dinner.”

Rosie bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, she’s right. You did!”

As we’re all laughing, the doorbell rings, cutting through the chaos. My stomach does a nervous flip.

“That’s him,” I say softly.

Rosie squeezes my hand. “Go let him in. We’ll be good, I promise.”

I shoot her a look that says you better be before heading to the door, my heart pounding with every step. When I open it, Jonah stands there, holding a bottle of wine in one hand and a bouquet of white lilies in the other, looking more handsome than I remember.

“Hi,” he says, his voice soft but warm.

“Hi,” I manage, unable to keep the smile off my face.

I step aside to let him in, and as he walks past, I catch a hint of his cologne, woodsy and clean. I love my family, but I’m kind of wishing we were alone right now.

***

Jonah

As I walk up to Rosie’s house, my palms are a little sweaty. Meeting Maggie’s family is a big deal, and I’m not sure what I’m walking into. I’ve never been nervous about meeting anyone before. Hell, I’m used to being the center of attention. But this? This feels different. Maggie’s family is important to her, and I’m nervous I won’t live up to whatever expectations they have. I don’t even know if she has any expectations, but the weight of them is there.

Maggie opens the door and I exhale like I’ve been holding my breath this whole time. She’s standing there, looking beautiful, and I can’t help but smile.

“Hi,” I say, holding out the flowers and the wine. “I, uh, brought these.”

Maggie’s eyes soften as she takes them from me. “You didn’t have to, but thank you. Come on in,” she says with a smile, stepping aside.

I follow her into the house, and the warmth and buzz of conversation hit me. As I enter the living room, I’m immediately greeted by Rosie and her husband, Alex. They both smile at me.

“Thanks for coming, Jonah,” Rosie says, pulling me into a hug. “Maggie told us you’d be joining us. How’s the rehearsal going?”

I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s, uh, definitely different. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Phoebe, who’s holding one of her twins, grins at me. “And how’s it going being the only rock star in a Broadway musical?”

I shrug, feeling a little self-conscious. “It’s weird, honestly. Not what I expected, but Maggie’s been a huge help. She’s... she’s amazing.”

The conversation turns to my life on the road, and I answer their questions with a mix of humor and honesty. They’re easy to talk to, making me feel at ease like I’m part of the group already.

When Logan’s younger sisters, Ruby and June, walk in, they’re practically starstruck when they spot me. Ruby’s the first one to lose it.

“Oh my God, it’s Jonah Saxon !” she squeals, her voice higher than I expect.

June pulls out her phone before she even says anything. “Can we take a selfie with you?”

I chuckle, trying to keep it cool. “Sure, but I have to warn you, I’m terrible at selfies.”

They both laugh and snap a few pictures before Cara, Maggie’s adorable three-year-old niece, walks in. She looks at me, head tilted like she’s trying to figure me out. She steps up to me, staring at me seriously.

“Who are you?” she asks, her voice full of curiosity.

I squat down to her level, trying to keep it light. “I’m Jonah. I’m Maggie’s friend.”

She thinks about this for a second, then nods. “Can you dance?”

I laugh, caught off guard. “I can a little. Not as good as you, though.”

Cara beams up at me, clearly pleased with my answer. “I can teach you,” she says, her voice full of confidence.

“I’ll take you up on that,” I tell her, straightening up. Maggie’s niece is a little firecracker, and I can already tell she’s going to steal my heart.

Maggie’s family feels so easy to be around, and as the evening goes on, I start to relax. The teasing between the sisters is gentle, all love, no malice. They’re close, and it’s clear they have each other’s backs. I can tell Maggie feels at home here, and it makes me want to fit in more.

After dinner, I end up in the kitchen with Alex and Logan, drying dishes. They both exchange a look before turning to me. Logan’s the first one to speak.

“So, Jonah... how serious are you about Maggie?” he asks, his tone low but not unfriendly.

I glance up from the plate I’m drying, meeting his eyes. “I’m serious,” I say, my voice steady. “I don’t want to mess this up.”

Alex raises an eyebrow. “Good. Because if you hurt her, we’ll have a problem.”

I nod without hesitation. “I get it. I really do. I’d never hurt her. She’s too... she’s too important.”

Logan’s eyes narrow slightly, assessing me. “Maggie’s a good woman. You’ve gotta treat her right. So far, you’ve done okay, but don’t take that for granted.”

I feel my chest tighten. I should have expected this. Maggie doesn’t just have her sisters looking out for her. She also has these two men who have become her big brothers. I’d do the same for my sister if I had one.

“I promise,” I say, looking both of them in the eye. “I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not gonna hurt her.”

They both nod and I feel a strange sense of relief. I think they were testing me and hopefully, I passed.

As the night continues, I can’t help but steal glances at Maggie. She’s in her element here, laughing and teasing with her sisters, her voice light and happy. It’s so easy to see why she’s such a bright light.