Jackson -

It's a dreary Sunday evening and I've finally landed at Sky Harbor Airport.  I was due to arrive much later but I paid a fair amount more to switch to an earlier flight. I just couldn't stand another minute without hearing Maggie's voice.

I guess I mucked up worse than I had imagined because Maggie's ignored the countless calls and voicemails I've made to her.

I must be a proper fucking nutter, I've been wracking my brain for any real excuse that she hasn't called to make up or at the very least called to tell me it's over. I must be entirely delusional to miss something this big.

What if it's really over?

I believe Nick is capable of poisoning her mind against me, but would he actually have the balls to go through with it? I'm not ashamed to say I hated the tosser for loving Maggie, but I didn't actually think he would stoop so low. He's probably been waiting by the sidelines for me to fuck up so he can be the hero to pick up the pieces.

No, Maggie is strong. She wouldn't let a few jealous words about my past determine our future. Not my Maggie.

I notice myself in the rearview mirror of my Uber and quickly glance away, unwilling to acknowledge myself in this state.

I must have scared my driver into silence because unlike most of the drivers I've encountered on my trip, he hasn't even attempted small talk. Silence is preferred anyway rather than pointless fucking small talk. I loathe small talk.

Since I haven't bothered to shave, a five o'clock shadow rims my jawline. I subconsciously brush my fingers against it, such an unusual feeling as the rough hairs scrape against my fingertips.

My eyes are framed with shadows, I haven't slept a wink this entire weekend. My mind has been wracked with all possible scenarios, she could be done with me, and what then?  I've been working so hard to keep her, I've never given thought to a life without her.

I exit the Uber and stand in front of the tall glass building in Scottsdale, the building responsible for bringing Maggie and me together. The interior lights are dimmed but the Red Wolf Publishing sign is still lit brightly indicating at least someone is still here.

I enter the tall glass doors into the lobby lined with crown molding and vaulted ceilings with chandeliers reflecting what little light is still on.  Georgia is packing up her purse when she looks up and notices me in the doorway.

"Wow Jack, you look rough." Georgia states the obvious but I simply walk past her as if she said nothing at all. There's only one woman I want to see right now.

I make my way to the stairs taking two or three steps at a time and skipping the elevator to avoid running into anyone else. The next person I want to see is Maggie and I'll be damned if anyone gets in my way.

I spent the entire flight anxiously anticipating the moment I see her again. Words, so many bloody words I've combed through, anything to make her stay with me. I come up short each time.  With no real explanation as to why she's been so distant, I can't properly come up with a defense.

I'm just outside her office door and I can see her clearly through the glass window. She looks completely lost in a book with her brows crinkled the way she does when she's concentrating.

Beautiful.

I stop to admire her, quietly drinking in the moment before she says her final goodbye and leaves me lost. A strand of hair falls in her face and she attempts to blow it out of the way, too involved in reading to remove her hands from her book. I can't help but let out a small chuckle at the sight.

I'm not done drinking in the scene when her ocean eyes meet mine. She's startled but only for a moment. Standing from her desk, she knocks her book to the floor but doesn't bother trying to catch it.  Her eyes are mesmerized with mine which causes me to hesitate before I reach for the door.

I remember that black dress. The teasingly low neckline made it almost impossible to notice her ocean colored eyes and the swaying hemline just above her knees dared me to slip underneath it.  It's the dress I desperately wanted to rip the fuck off her at Christians party.

Fuck. 

Does she think it's bittersweet considering she'll be saying goodbye to me in it?

I take a deep breath while running a hand through my hair, tugging the ends and remind myself to remain calm. I carefully turn the knob and step inside, placing my hands in my pockets and nervously taking my lip ring between my teeth.

I'm about to speak when she hurdles over her desk and jumps into my arms. I've barely enough time to catch her before she starts apologizing. Her words ramble on with very few breaks to breathe and tears are streaming down her face.

I'm in shock. I came here to ask forgiveness, to beg her to stay with me, but she's the one apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, I threw my phone off the building and it shattered to pieces and we were locked in but I found your number and I kept calling from Nick's phone and even the office phone but-" Her breathing is labored and she panics more the more I stand here in shock.

"Baby, Shh." I place a kiss on her forehead, attempting to calm her. "Baby, it's okay. It was just a fight, we're okay."

I clutch her close to me, thankful to finally have her in my arms again. I don't know what the hell I did to get so lucky.

"I'm sorry." I whisper between kisses. "I never got your calls. I've been calling all weekend, I thought you were ignoring me. I came here to win you back."

Her tears begin to dry and her ocean eyes meet mine in quiet desperation. She analyzes my face for confirmation and I take her face in my hands to be sure she hears every word.

"We're okay, I love you."