I get up and move out of my bedroom and toward the kitchen. Maddy stands in front of the microwave with her back to me.
“Aunt Maddy,” her name comes out in a wounded tone.
She turns around with concern etched on her face.
Before she can ask what’s wrong, I blurt, “You should go to Hawaii.”
“What?” she gasps, stepping forward to clutch my hands. “Baby, I’m gonna think this through. It was just a silly idea of David’s. It doesn’t mean I have to go.”
“No, you don’t understand,” I say with more strength behind my words. “I think you should go. No, Iwantyou to go.”
Aunt Maddy’s eyes fill with bewilderment as a smile creeps across her lips. “Where’s this coming from?”
I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly. “You deserve to go, Aunty. You’ve looked after me since you were a kid. Someone should take care of you for a change.”
She rubs my back and her voice breaks. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. Truly.”
“Oh my gosh,” she whispers. “Thank you.”
“I want you to be happy, Aunt Maddy.”
“But what will I do about the cafe? And you? I can’t leave you.”
I pull out of the hug to look her in the eyes. “I’ll stay with Kai, and I’ll still work my shifts at the cafe. Jake and Laura can run things while I’m at school. Plus, we have Kylie on the weekends.”
“But you can’t work every afternoon,” Maddy replies, sadness drooping her expression. “You need to focus on school.”
“We’ll handle it, Aunty. Maybe they can shut earlier in the afternoon. Just talk with Jake and Laura about what hours they can cover.”
Maddy blows out a long breath. She nods. “Okay. We’ll talk it out. Oh, crap.” Her eyes grow wide. “I’m going to Hawaii.”
“Eep!” I squeak, squeezing her upper arms. “This is your fairytale.”
“What on earth will I pack?”
“Is this part in the rom-com where we montage a shopping spree?”
Maddy giggles as the microwave dings. She pulls out the popcorn and gestures toward my bedroom. “No. This is the part where the two girls curl up on the bed and watch a fictional girl’s fairytale.”
We walk back to my bedroom, and I hit play on a classic romantic comedy we both know by heart. After the opening credits roll and the main character starts her inner monologue, I ask Maddy, “Is David the one?”
Maddy sucks in a breath, massaging the pieces of popcorn that lay in her palm. “I have no idea.”
“But he’s good to you?”
“He’s the best.” She nudges me. “You’ve seen him.”
“I don’t buy him. I was just wondering if I’m missing something.”
“Just because I’m into him doesn’t mean you have to be. We are different people, you know.”
“I guess. I’m just worried you’ll travel so far away and see a different side of him. You know, like a bad side.”
Maddy winces. “Nice. Thanks for casting a dark shadow over the trip.”
“Sorry.” I huff. “I just don’t want him to break your heart.”
