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“Morning,” Maddie’s voice murmured from the doorway as she entered the kitchen.
I set my phone on the bar and picked up my black mug. “Morning.” I stared at her, much like I did last night, as she trudged sleepily to the cabinet.
“I feel like I barely slept.” She took a cup from the cupboard and poured coffee. Glancing back over her shoulder, she offered a half-smile as she took the Italian Sweet Cream from the refrigerator. “What’s wrong?” She finished prepping her beverage and sauntered over to the opposite side of the island with a worried expression.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
She ambled around the counter, perching on the barstool next to me. Placing the cup down, she exhaled. “Did Lucas see… anything?”
“No.” I sighed.
“Did you get any sleep?” Picking the mug up with both of her hands, she placed the rim to her perfectly plump lips.
I nodded, once. “A little.” Standing, I strode to the sink, dumping out the last bit of mine that had gotten cold.
“Is everything okay?”
I yanked the dishwasher open, set my dish in, and closed it. “It’s fine.”
“J—”
“You might wantto put some normal clothes on.” I strode toward the back door.
“Why?”
I twisted back to her. “Vinny, Eliza, and some of Lucas’s friends will be here soon.”
Her eyes widened.
“I called Eliza this morning and invited everyone over for grilling and swimming. Told them I invited you too when we ran into each other, so there’s no suspicion when they arrive.” I opened the door. “I’m going to start prepping.” I marched outside to the outdoor kitchen.
As I stepped behind the bar, the back door opened. She walked out, coffee in hand. “Did I do something to upset you?”
I bent over behind the countertop, checking the stash of alcohol in the small refrigerator.
“Is this about last night? I’m sorry! I won’t let it happen again.”
I stood straight, glaring at her. “Come here.”
She moved over to the bar in a hurry. Setting her coffee down, she rested her palms on the counter. “What’s going on?”
I reached across, taking her hands in mine. “Why don’t you tell me the truth?”
Her head lurched back, and bewilderment smeared her face. “What are you talking about?”
“What happened in the back of Abruzzo’s last night?”
“Um, what do you mean?”
“You know damn well what I mean!” I whisper-yelled, unsure if I was angrier that she lied to me, or that another guy had his hands on her. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. I was losing my damn mind.
She yanked away from my hold and then sped around to where I was. Instinctively, I held her hips firmly. She glared into my gaze. “What the actual hell are you talking about and why are you acting weird to me today?!”
“Gian touching you and you begging him to fu—”
“Do not even finish that sentence.”
Laying a palm on the bar, I scowled at her. “Madison.”
