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Madison
When I openthe door to the guest cottage, I take one step in before I stop dead in my tracks. The dining room table, kitchen counter, coffee table, and pie safe are all covered in flowers. Huge all-white bouquets, one with roses, another with lilies, another with mums and gladioli. The whole cottage smells like a greenhouse, and there’s a black envelope with silver writing set on the dining room table. My name is written on it in silver ink, so I pick it up. I pull the card out, and I don’t immediately recognize the writing, but it’s short.
“Condolences on the loss of the love of your life. Thought the flowers and ice cream might help get you through it. And who knows, maybe he’ll get divorced someday. Love, Quentin.”
I blink and read over the note again. I’m still processing it when there’s a knock at the door. When I answer, it’s a deliveryguy with Wren standing just behind him, her face twisted with an amused grin.
“Delivery for Madison Westfield?” the delivery guy asks.
“That’s me.”
He holds up a giant insulated cooler. “Would you like me to put it inside?”
“What is it?”
“Ice cream.”
“Um… I can take it. Do you need the cooler back?”
“No. You get it for free when you order a dozen.”
I blink again and Wren’s grin spreads even further, her hand going to her mouth to stifle a laugh while her eyes dance with amusement.
“Well, thank you. Can I tip you?”
“No. He covered it. Have a nice day!” he calls and then hurries off.
Wren’s stifled grin floods out until she’s full-on giggling at my side as she follows me in. I open the cooler and find twelve different pints of ice cream, plus what claims to be a limited-edition bowl and spoon.
“The driver came up to the house first. Just like the florist. This time I saw your car was here, so I couldn’t wait to see your reaction.”
“This is…”
“Sweet?” Wren raises a brow.
“Ridiculous. He’s taunting me you know?”
“Taunting you how? I wondered what it was for since it wasn’t your birthday or anything that I know of. It’s not, right? I know pregnancy brain is getting to me, but I was pretty sure of that.”
“No. You’re good.” I start slowly unloading the pints of ice cream from the cooler onto the counter and then into the freezer. It’s at least empty enough that these might fit. “It’s that he and I were talking. He asked about Tobias, and I mentionedthat he’s getting married and so is Xander. He knew that I had a crush on Xander. It’s how we ended up together all those years ago. He sent a condolence card along with all the flowers.”
“Oh… he’s obsessed with you then.”
“He’s not obsessed with me. His family and mine hate each other. Have since the dawn of time. Or at least since his uncle and my dad played. Our run-in didn’t help.”
“Your run-in?” She raises an eyebrow.
“I might have been engaged to him for a nanosecond.”
“Engaged?” Wren’s voice goes up half an octave with the question.
“Literally for half a second like ten years ago. I thought we were in love, and my dad lost his shit when he found us in bed together.”
“Kenneth found you in bed together?” Wren’s eyes go wide.
“Yep. Not long after I lost my virginity to Quentin.”
“Oh my god. That sounds like hell.”
