“So, I should retire the nickname?” I tease.
Aunt Maddy’s eyes widen. “Immediately.”
I giggle and nod.
Milo asks Maddy how he can help, and she teams him up with Jake. My heart balloons, seeing him help in the kitchen. Mom did a good job of scaring us out of romanticizing bad boys. She wanted us to both find gentlemen, and oh my gosh, did we ever.
I didn’t give David credit when he started helping out at the cafe, even though Milo pointed it out. Now I see it’s undeniable how much he loves and cares for Maddy. I’m coming around on his personality and I’m trying to stopmy eyes from rolling when he’s near. My aunt is completely swooning over him, and that’s all that really matters.
With Aunt Maddy rallying the boys in the kitchen, I move to the counter to check on Laura and Kylie.
“Everything okay?” I ask, sidling up to Kylie.
She jolts, a guilty look crossing her face. “Huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
She looks back at the tables. “Nothing.”
I spy where she’s looking, and it’s at the section that includes Parker and Lewis.
“Are they giving you a problem?” I ask. “Did they say something?”
Kylie cups a hand over her face, shying away. “What? No. Why would they? I mean, what would he even say to me?”
“He? Which he?” I look at the boys and then back to bashful Kylie. “Oh my gosh! You like one of them. Which one?”
Kylie squeals in embarrassment. She hides her face, leaving the counter. “What? Nothing. I gotta clear the tables.”
My mouth hangs ajar, and I shake my head with a giggle. She’s crushing so hard on one of my friends. This will be fun to watch.
After helping clear tables and taking payments, we’re ready to leave for the event. When we arrive, we unload the food into our serving station. Trestles of flowers frame the round tables, which are covered with pale pink cloths, and surrounded by white, cushioned chairs.
Mrs. Fisher stands with the best posture I’ve ever seen, liaising with Aunt Maddy. I link arms with Milo as we ogle the crowd. I spy Christie and Ash and can’t help remembering when Christie propositioned Milo to be her friend’s date.
“Do you regret not agreeing to be out there and mingling?” I ask.
Milo scoffs. “And give up the chance to be a kitchen hand? Never.”
I giggle, leaning into him. “You goof.”
“Oh lord. Look at Kai,” Milo says, pointing out his brother, who escorts his gorgeous girlfriend. “Who knew he could play a doting boyfriend so well?”
“Oh my gosh,” I murmur. “He totally looks like rom-com material.”
Milo smirks. “I’ve now watched enough of them to know exactly what you mean.”
I elbow him playfully. “Admit it. You love them.”
He kisses my cheek. “Sure, sure.”
Before the teasing can continue, Aunt Maddy breaks us up to start serving. Jake pulls the tray of mini milkshakes out of the van. I pick up a serving tray and fill it with as many as I can carry. As Aunt Maddy and I begin with serving drinks, Milo and David ready the food trays to follow.
It doesn’t take long for the serving to run its course. Once we’ve made our rounds with the food, it’s time to hang back and wait until it’s time to clear. Aunt Maddy stays wandering around tables, soaking up the compliments on the food and handing out business cards where appropriate.
I can’t help watching people from school. Christie and Ash are so loved up, they’ve barely noticed my existence. Kai and Tabitha continue to be cute, but take any chance they get to wave at me and ask me to join their table. Instead, I introduce them to Christie and Ash. It simultaneously makes both of their days.
Then there’s Yvette. She sits at the table with the new Mrs. Garcia and their families. Yvette looks beyond bored. My mind flicks back to all the times she encouraged Camila to harass me or anyone else in their line of sight. She fed off a tarnished memory of my mother. I want the news about my dad to come out, but I want some control over it. I’m not ashamed or scared of everyone knowing. If someone like Yvette knows, surely it’ll run like wildfire.
