Taking a Chance (2 page)

“What the hell is he doing here?” Molly asked.

Maddie managed a shrug. She had been less than two months away from her wedding when out of nowhere George had called off the engagement. To say the last month had been tough for Maddie was an understatement. Although the dramatic change in George had happened long before the end of the engagement, the final blow was even difficult for her to comprehend. She had not shared the details with her friends, but she knew they had been shocked by how abruptly it ended. She had not been able to bring herself to admit out loud, even to her closest friends, what a monster George had become.

How ironic, Maddie thought, that two men she thought about often were sitting within twenty feet of one another. The one she loved to daydream about would only ever be a dream, which Maddie accepted because then he could never hurt her. The other one she wanted to forget she had ever known.

Maddie was thankful when the waiter arrived to take their orders. It was not the time for her to talk about it and she needed the distraction to prevent herself from becoming an emotional wreck. If she counted the boxes of Kleenex she had been through in the last month, she was sure it would be a world record. Even though she knew the arrogant jerk did not deserve one more day of her tears, it was still a struggle, and she gratefully placed her order.

• • •

“So, who’s having dessert?” asked Rachel.

“I’m definitely having something chocolate. Now that we laid eyes on perfection, we may as well taste some, too!”

All four girls laughed at the thought. They placed their dessert order and as they waited, the host brought a drink to their table.

“For you, miss,” he said, as he placed the drink in front of Maddie.

All four girls looked at him.

“Who ordered this?” Maddie asked.

“The gentleman across the room sent it.” As the host walked away, Maddie felt her anger rise above simmering. She had managed to hold it together through the entire dinner, but that pushed her to the edge.

“I can’t believe that guy! He orders a drink for his ex while having dinner with his new girlfriend? Seriously, you’re watching a genuine asshole in action!”

Often times Maddie’s hard-shell exterior was only an act and she was putting on a great performance. She tried to hold in her emotions, but she was struggling with every passing second.

Shortly after their desserts arrived, Stacey made her way downstairs toward the restroom. Maddie was out of her chair before anyone could stop her. Although Maddie was scared to approach George, she briskly made her way across the restaurant.

“George, do you honestly think sending me a drink will make me feel even worse? Please leave me alone,” she said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t send a drink over to you. Do you think I’m stupid? I’m here with another woman. The last thing I would do is order you a drink. Be serious, Madison, and quit acting like a child.”

“Child! I’m not the child here. That girl you are with is the child, not to mention you. I mean, how immature to be sending something over to my table!”

It was unbelievable to Maddie that he was the same man she had fallen in love with. Maddie could not help but remember her immediate attraction to him. His blue eyes had drawn her in, but now they were cold as ice. He had always been in excellent shape, which unfortunately also meant he was strong and powerful. The thought made Maddie shudder. He used to treat her so right and was now so cruel.

At the same time Maddie saw George’s eyes widen, she felt a hand on her arm. Fearful it was Stacey, she did not immediately turn, but then heard a man say, “I sent the drink over to your table.”

As she looked at him, she faltered. Gazing into Austin’s eyes again, the hand on her arm suddenly felt electric. As she tried to focus on him, her mind raced. She didn’t know if he had actually sent the drink or if he had overheard the conversation. Either way Maddie was nearly speechless.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“You’re gorgeous and I didn’t know what else to do without interrupting dinner with your friends.”

The sound of his voice again made Maddie’s legs turn to jelly.

“I’m sorry, Austin.” She stopped and laughed at herself. “Seriously, I need to stop apologizing to you.”

His mouth slowly curved up into that smile. “I didn’t get your name earlier?”

His hand was still on her arm and she swore an actual current was flowing between them. Could she be imagining the connection? Focusing while he was touching her was nearly impossible. “Maddie,” she said barely loud enough for him to hear.

“Maddie, I don’t want to interrupt your dinner, but I would love to spend more time with you.”

The conversation needed to move away from George, but unfortunately before she had a chance to step away she realized it was too late.

“Maddie! Get the hell away from my boyfriend. I swear. You just can’t get over him, can you? You are so pathetic!”

Before Maddie could even process what to do, Molly strode across the dining room and gripped her arm. “Let’s get out of here,” she said in a voice that came out a bit harshly. Maddie felt Molly pull on her arm as she started to make her way toward the stairs.

Maddie knew Molly was not mad at her, but she was making sure Maddie did not think twice about following her. Maddie tried to slow down to look back, but Molly gripped her arm tighter and sped up as Stacey started yelling again.

The girls made it down the stairs and out the front door in record time. The humid night air engulfed Maddie as she stepped outside. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Both girls stood for a moment catching their breath.

“I’m sorry that happened. That girl has no class.”

“I know,” whispered Maddie.

“Why did Austin join your conversation?”

“Because he sent the drink over, or at least that’s what he said.”

Molly turned to face Maddie so quickly she almost lost her balance. She gripped Maddie’s arm stopping her momentum. “Why didn’t you say something? We need to go back upstairs!” Molly said with so much excitement it startled Maddie.

“It’s too late. I can’t face him after he saw that.”

The other two girls walked out with their purses.

“Thanks, girls.” Maddie managed a weak smile.

“You guys are not going to believe what happened. Austin sent the drink to Maddie and now she won’t go back and talk to him!”

Rachel and Amanda looked at one another. Rachel spoke first, “I don’t know where he is. I’m sorry, Maddie. Stacey started to get louder and he probably wanted to get out of the commotion before it drew attention to him. I’m not sure where he went!”

Maddie was about to explode. “I can’t believe she not only ruined my night, but I feel awful that she ruined his night too. I can just see it in the gossip columns tomorrow, ‘Austin Hunter rushed from restaurant as pathetic Chicago girl brawls with her ex’s new girlfriend!’ Can things get any worse?”

“Let’s get out of here. We should go somewhere else and have a drink to forget about what just happened,” said Amanda.

“Guys, you know I would love to hang out, but I think I would rather just go home. I have to get up early anyhow to get ready for the baby shower.”

Molly helped her flag down a cab and Maddie wearily made her way home.

• • •

M
addie pulled her comforter up to her chin. She lay in bed replaying the brief conversation over in her head. She could not believe she had been so close to Austin. Even more, she could not believe the feeling she had when he touched her or even when he just looked at her. She swore she was not imagining the chemistry. Maddie drifted off to sleep dreaming about what could have happened if Stacey had not ruined the night.

M
addie rolled over to shut off her alarm.
Why does that sound like a fire alarm this morning?
She yawned and stretched as she threw her legs over the edge of the bed. She had to get ready for the afternoon shower. Maddie’s friends could not understand Maddie’s obsession with throwing the perfect baby shower; they all thought Maddie’s sister-in-law was quite possibly the devil in disguise.

Lola had come into their lives less than two years ago. Maddie had been quick to invite Lola shopping, out to eat, out with her friends or just down to her place. Lola had turned down almost every invitation, and even worse, kept Maddie’s brother, Scott, from her.

Growing up, Maddie had eagerly awaited the day her brother would meet his wife because selfishly she hoped she would be like a sister, not just a sister-in-law. Not only did Lola not fill that role, it would be a stretch to even say they were friends. Deep down, Maddie still hoped one day they would have a great relationship. Even more, she longed to have her brother back in her life the way he used to be.

Scott had always been a protective older brother making sure Maddie was safe and taken care of at all times. Their relationship had become even stronger after their father’s death. Her brother had been the rock for both Maddie and their mother. But the longer he had been involved with Lola, the more he had become withdrawn from his family.

Six months after they were married, Lola and Scott had announced they were expecting. Maddie had been thrilled at the news, but judging by Lola’s reaction, Maddie thought she was more excited than her sister-in-law. Scott and Lola had asked Maddie to be the godmother. Lola had said none of her close friends were ready for the responsibility and her own sister was much too young. Maddie had chosen to overlook Lola’s comments; she was thrilled and honored to be the godmother.

To show her excitement for the opportunity to be the best godmother, Maddie had offered to throw the baby shower for Lola. At the time it had seemed like a fun idea, but now that the day was here Maddie started to dread the arrival because she didn’t know what Lola’s mood would be that day.

• • •

S
cott and Lola lived about an hour and a half north of Chicago in Wisconsin, just outside Milwaukee. Most of Lola’s friends lived in the Chicago area, so Maddie was hosting the shower at her apartment. Maddie’s mother, Nina, also lived near Milwaukee and was driving down that morning to help Maddie prepare.

Maddie needed one friend in her corner, and she could not imagine anyone other than Molly weathering the day. Molly was the best friend a girl could ask for. They had been friends since grade school. Even though they had attended different colleges, they had kept in touch throughout the four years. Maddie had met George right after college and moved to Chicago shortly thereafter. Maddie and Molly had lived together downtown for the first two years. Even though Maddie had been dating George all through those two years, the girls had enjoyed every part of the city they could together.

Maddie was pulling fruit out of the fridge when her doorbell rang. Molly was coming over early to help decorate before she ran a couple errands for Maddie. Maddie set the containers on the counter and walked to the door.

“Hey, Mol.”

“Hey.”

Molly was not quite as spunky in the morning and needed three cups of coffee before she reached full speed. Maddie laughed because she knew the routine and could always tell what number she was on. She sensed number three was in hand but not yet consumed.

“How are you doing this morning?” asked Maddie.

“Okay. Not too excited to be decorating for the pregnant ice princess, but I’m here to support you.”

“That’s why you’re the best!” Maddie walked to the dining room table where she had left the decorations to show Molly what needed to be done.

“How are you doing?” asked Molly. “You’re our number one concern. Last night was awful, so I just want to make sure you’re hanging in there.”

Maddie could feel the tears forming in her eyes. Again. She was so sick of feeling that way.
People should be able to ask me how I’m doing without my breaking down every time
. Maddie typically kept her emotions close and she hated not being able to hide them.

“I’m fine. I just hate seeing him.” She swiped her hand at the lone tear that fell.

“I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I know. Thanks.”

Molly got to work as fast as her almost-fy-caffeinated body would allow. Not much time had passed when the doorbell rang again. Maddie was shocked to see Scott when she opened the door.

“What are you doing here so early?”

“Calm down. Lola is still coming. She wasn’t feeling well this morning, so I dropped her off at Barb’s house to rest for a while.” Maddie saw the emotion wash over his face. “Your place looks perfect!”

“Thanks,” said Maddie, pride laced in her tone. “But I do owe some of this to Molly. She’s been doing an excellent job, even if she’s only had two and a half cups of coffee this morning.”

“Whatever, Maddie,” Molly laughed. “This is all you. I’m just the workhorse helping you get it done!”

“Well, thank you to both of you, but I still have a lot to do before everyone starts showing up. At least make yourself useful while you’re here and help me in the kitchen.”

Before they walked back to the kitchen the doorbell rang again. Maddie opened the door and their mom burst in. They rarely had time together anymore with just the three of them. Molly mumbled something about running out for another cup of coffee, but Maddie knew she just wanted to give the three of them some time together.

Anyone who saw the three would instantly recognize the relationship. Maddie’s mom had the same large almond-shaped eyes in vivid green. Although her mom’s hair was darker, it had tones of red and copper. Scott had hazel eyes and dirty blond hair, but the resemblance to Maddie was unmistakable. Like their mom, they both had high cheekbones and an oval-shaped face.

“Sorry, I’m a little late,” Nina said.

Maddie furrowed her brow. “You’re not late, Mom.”

Nina waved her hand in the hair. “Oh, you know what I mean. I was hoping to be up here already. I ran into Sid on my way through the lobby and got caught up talking about his grandkids.”

Maddie smiled as she started walking back toward the kitchen. “That’s nice. I didn’t realize you even knew Sid,” she said as she turned back to Nina.