Page 25 of Deception & Daylight (Oak Ridge #3)

Mags

? Make You Mine - PUBLIC

O ak Ridge has never been more breathtaking.

The main thoroughfare is blocked off at both ends, with traffic being diverted through the outskirts of town as booths line the sidewalk on both sides.

Floral displays fill massive planter boxes along the path leading down to the wildflower field at the end of the street where the owners have set up a tent for flower picking, face painting, and custom arrangements.

At the park across from Ivy’s house, there’s a small stage set up for the bachelor auction that's scheduled to start in an hour, but first, I have my heart set on a sweet treat from Rosie’s booth.

Tucking my notepad into my messenger bag, I catch sight of Paige coming around the corner, camera in hand. I flag her down with a wave, her fully dimpled smile taking over her face when she spots me. “Heading to Rosie’s booth?” she asks.

“Fuck yeah, I am. I need to get my hands on something sweet before the vultures descend. Perks of being the hired help, I guess.” The festival isn’t fully underway yet, and from what little Patty has told me, I’m assum ing most of the crowd will gather when the more popular events like the bachelor auction and the karaoke contest that follows.

I won’t lie and say I’m not apprehensive about the prospect of Miles being sold off to some towny for a swoon worthy date at the late.

Custom tee notwithstanding, I don’t really have a claim over him.

We may have discussed limits, and a ‘faking it with benefits’ arrangement, but we left out the exclusivity clause.

In the aftermath of the incident on the porch, in which I narrowly escaped a full-blown panic attack with the use of my safe word, I’m left with a mess of confusing emotions.

I adjust the knot on my lightweight button down, making sure the custom tee is adequately hidden beneath the extra layer.

I can’t have my surprise revealed prematurely.

“What’s that look on your face?” Paige asks.

“What do you mean? This is just my face. Have you been gone so long, you’ve forgotten what I look like?”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, Mags. You look like someone who’s keeping a secret. Spill the beans, bestie.”

“I have no beans to spill. Let’s grab a snack before shit gets wild.” The lie tumbles from my lips, leaving behind the bitter taste of guilt, but I’m not ready to confess my feelings about what could very well be a reckless arrangement with a man I’d torn to shreds mere weeks ago.

We walk in companionable silence for a few minutes, but I’d be an idiot to think Paige is going to let anything slide. “So how’s everything going with Miles?” she asks, with a cheeky grin and a quirk in her brow. And there it is.

“As good as can be expected. He’s still insufferable and I’m ready to blow shit up in a very public way so I can figure out where to go from here.”

I feel his presence before I see him, and he doesn’t even have to speak for me to know he’s within arm’s reach. “Damn, Mags. Tell me how you really feel.” Ther e’s a tug on our tether, innate and undeniable, as his arms snake around my waist. “Hey Sunshine, where’s my favorite girl?”

“Look down, Barlow,” Paige teases. “I know she’s small but…”

His chuckle reverberates through my body, sending a shiver up my spine and a spark straight to my greedy pussy. Traitor.

“Ok, my other favorite girl,” he corrects, squeezing gently, as if he knows exactly where my thoughts have drifted.

“She’s around here somewhere being spoiled rotten by her daddy. I’m on duty today, but I said I’d catch up with them once I have everything I need for your girlfriend’s article.”

“I’m sure it’ll be amazing with you two running the show. I have to get ready for the auction. See you there?”

Silence stretches before I realize he’s speaking to me.

I glance over my shoulder, putting our lips barely an inch apart.

Miles doesn’t let the moment slide, though, leaning down to place a painfully sweet kiss on my mouth that makes my belly do a little flip while garnering the attention of the swiftly gathering crowd near Rosie’s booth.

“How’s that for something sweet,” Paige murmurs as I watch the retreating back side of my fake boyfriend. “You’re drooling, babe.”

“Can you blame me? He looks so much better from this angle.” I tilt my head dramatically to get a better look at his muscular ass. I’m doing a fine job of ogling him when he turns around and winks, laying waste to what remains of my panties.

“It’s going to be so much fun to watch you fall,” Paige says. I pin her with a glare and a not-so-subtle middle finger that has a nearby mom shielding her kids from the obscenity.

“You two gonna order or do I need to put you in time out?” Rosie says with that all-knowing expression on her face. That woman sees far too much for her own g ood. It’s no wonder she’s known as the peddler of all the best town gossip.

“Don’t test me Ro, I’ve got another one with your name on it.”

“You would never. Besides, you’ll need to save that one for your boyfriend,” she says with a wink. “Lucy already filled me in on the details, so don’t give me that look. I know all about your little secret, Maggie Watson, and it’s about damn time you two got your heads out of your asses.”

Paige tries and fails to stifle a laugh, pretending to be preoccupied with her camera settings.

With a dramatic eye roll, I turn my focus back to the booth, marveling at the incredibly beautiful desserts on display. The glass case is full of confectionery masterpieces, each one on theme with the event.

Delicately decorated sugar cookies are lined up in a row beside hand painted macarons, and there’s even fresh sourdough with floral patterns scored into the crust.

“Can I get one of those pretty cupcakes?” I ask, pointing to the delicately frosted confection that looks like a hydrangea in vibrant shades of pink and purple.

“Make that two,” Paige says, snapping photos of the display. “They’re beautiful. I almost don't want to eat it.”

“Livie made ‘em,” Rosie says, gesturing towards her granddaughter who’s working the other side of the booth. “I’d love to take credit for teaching her everything she knows, but this is far beyond even my talents. I keep tellin’ her she should open up a bakery.”

“And I told you I’m content to stock your display case and leave the business running in more capable hands,” she says. “Hi. I’m Olivia. My friends call me Livie.”

“Maggie. Nice to finally meet you. Rosie’s always singing your praises.

I’d love to get a few words for the paper if you have time?

” She glances around the crowd then back at Rosie, who shoos her away with a wave of her hand .

“I won’t keep her for too long. I have to get over the bachelor auction soon. ”

“Mmmhmm. I bet you do.” Rosie winks, inciting another eye roll from me. I quickly scarf down the delicious cupcake as Livie leads us down the sidewalk towards the park.

“What was all that about?” she asks as we each take a side of a nearby park bench, Paige standing nearby as she makes a sandwich out of her cupcake.

I rummage through my messenger bag, pulling out my notebook and fumbling for a pen amongst the crumpled receipts and loose change. “Oh nothing. Rosie loves to give me shit about my boyfriend.”

“Wait. You’re Miles’ Maggie?”

I snort through a laugh, flipping to a fresh page in my notebook. “Figures you’d know a thing or two being related to Rosie and all.”

“For what it’s worth, I heard it directly from the source. I’ve been spending my mornings at the diner and Miles hasn’t been able to shut up about his girlfriend. That man isn’t exactly known for being quiet,” she says, a familiar smile lining her features.

She looks so much like a younger version of Rosie it’s almost jarring. She’s beautiful, with long blonde waves cascading over her shoulders and striking blue eyes. While she has a few inches on my 5’1” stature, she's got curves I’d give my left tit for. Or both of my tits, as it were.

“It’s not every day Oak Ridge’s most eligible bachelor gets snatched up by an outta towner. Wait. Did you say he’s participating in the auction?”

“Yep. He offered to back out, but I refused to take that donation money away from Evie’s charity fund. It’s just one date. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Jen could happen,” Paige interjects, a scowl forming on her face as she glares across the open field towards the stage where the participants a re lining up.

Her gaze is fixed on the tall blonde with the smug smile on her face, but mine is trained on the sleazy douchebag standing beside Miles. Matty.

Fuck.

Miles

“Maggie’s lookin’ good,” Matty taunts. It’s a deliberate attempt to get under my skin, and unfortunately, it's working. The urge to punch him square in the jaw is almost overwhelming, but I rein it in for the sake of the audience and Evie’s charity fundraiser.

“What I wouldn’t give to see those perky tits she’s hiding — oh shit, I already have. ”

“If you think I won’t take my chances with the sheriff, you’re sorely mistaken. Keep my girlfriend’s name out of your fucking mouth.”

Adding yet another layer of fucked up to an already tense situation, Jen approaches the stage. “Hey Miles. Can’t wait to place a bid. For a good cause, I mean.”

My jaw ticks as I avert my gaze. This is the bitch who tried to get between Cade and Paige.

“Don’t waste your bid on me. I’m sure Matty here would be more than happy to take you out.” I plaster on my fake smile, keeping my tone impassive.

Her sly grin quickly turns to a scowl as she eyes my brother, lips curling in distaste. For a second, I wonder if they have history, but I don’t care enough to find out. They deserve each other.

After an intense stare down, Jen retreats to a seat in the front row, but my attention is drawn to the center aisle where a gorgeous brunette with fuck me eyes and painted pink lips is gliding towards the stage.