More Than Just Us by Allie Otoski

Author:Allie Otoski [Otoski, Allie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

31

“Stella?”

I spin on my heel, accidentally yanking Bridger to a stop. He lets out an oomph sound. I wince. “Sorry.” I’m about to tell him I thought I heard my name when I hear it again.

“Stella! It is you.” I look over to see someone waving at me by the drinks table. It takes a split second, but then recognition dawns on me.

“Maggie?” I smile at her, confused.

“What are you doing here?” she asks.

I laugh. Gesturing to the house, I say, “I live here.”

Her eyebrows lift in surprise. “Oh! Well, shoot,” she says, surveying the area around her. “You really know how to throw a party.”

I shrug. “Trust me. It’s all my mom,” I say, because it’s the truth. “What about you?”

“I guess my mom is a frequent client at The Abode, so she got a family invite. My brother, sister, and I all tagged along with her.”

I nod. Maggie’s eyes flick to my right, and I’m reminded that Bridger is still standing beside me, undoubtedly confused.

“Oh! Maggie, this is my—this is Bridger,” I say, clearing my throat and stumbling over my words. “Bridger, this is Maggie. She’s in one of my summer classes this semester.”

He reaches out with the hand not currently holding mine to shake hers. “It’s nice to meet you,” he says.

She smiles, letting go of his hand. “You too.”

I stand there trying to think of something else to say when Bridger’s eyes catch briefly on mine, and I’m thankful at this moment that only one of us is socially inept in this pairing as he speaks again.

“We were just about to head over to Ladder Golf if you want to come over there with us?”

Her eyes light up. “Sure! I love that game.”

I squeeze Bridger’s hand once, trying to tell him thanks, and he squeezes back twice. The previous game is just ending as we walk up, right as Daniel and Dahlia approach from the other side of the yard.

“Just who we were looking for,” Bridger jokes as Daniel walks up and claps him on the back. Dahlia walks up and greets him with a hug as well. “Your husband had better be ready to lose,” Bridger tells her, eyebrows raised.

“Trust me, he’s used to it.” She grins and pats him on the shoulder.

Bridger laughs, turning to face me. “You ready?”

I nod, and Maggie says, “Good luck!” before sitting in the grass a few feet away.

Daniel groans. “C’mon, that’s not fair. I lost my partner,” he says, gesturing to Dahlia.

“Sorry. I’m out of commission this year.” She sighs dramatically, placing both hands on her belly.

“You can still play, babe. Your arms work just fine,” Daniel argues, and Dahlia gives him a knowing look.

“I could,” she nods, glancing over my way. “But Stella’s throws can get a little wild sometimes. I’m not risking anything.”

“Hey!” I say, looking over to Bridger to defend me, but his lips are pursed as he tries not to laugh. I gape at him, offended.

“Sorry, but . . . she’s not wrong.”

I roll my eyes, laughing along with everyone else.

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