“Okay, okay,” I whisper, wriggling out of the hug. “Don’t make things weird. I'm probably two sentences away from doing that already.”
“No sweat. Just act cool.”
I laugh. “You’re such a dork.”
She pinches my cheek. “Takes one to know one.”
“Come on,” I say, beckoning Aunt Maddy toward the counter. “Christie wants to try a milkshake. They told me to surprise them with the order, so I was thinking we could make four different ones and add four straws to each shake. That way Christie gets to try all four.”
“I’m prepared to make them everything on the menu,” Aunt Maddy says, walking to the prep station with me. “Imagine if they love the food and want to use us for catering.”
“I dunno if they know we do catering.”
“Never a better time to let them know.”
“Aunt Maddy, please don’t embarrass me,” I whine.
“Baby, there’s no harm in putting it out there. Imagine working an event for the Ashworths.” Maddy’s eyes light up. “We’d never have to do another spot of advertising. The word of mouth would be epic.”
“Let’s just concentrate on making epic milkshakes.”
Aunt Maddy opens the fridge by the prep station. “Sure. What flavors are we doing?”
“The Choc Peanut Butter Explosion is a must," I reply, readying the dry ingredients. “And who doesn’t love the Strawberry Shortcake?”
“They need to try my favorite, the Salted Caramel Kettle Corn,” Maddy adds. “Then it’s either the Banoffee Mess or the Toasty S’more.”
“Banoffee. We’ve already got a chocolate.”
“Great. Let’s get on it.”
Maddy and I each work at a milkshake machine. Our milkshakes are legendary because of all the layers and ingredients we chuck in. We’ve perfected them over time so each one looks like an artwork. There’s ice cream, fudge, sauces, sprinkles, candy, and so much good stuff to plop on top. Every mouthful bursts with happiness.
I walk ahead of Maddy and scoot into the booth, holding two shakes.
“Hi Milo,” Aunt Maddy chirps as she lands at the table. “How are you?”
Milo smiles, murmuring, “Good, thanks.”
“I’ll put the Strawberry Shortcake in front of you,” I say to Milo as I slide the glass toward him. “I know it’s your favorite.”
He tilts his head as he looks at me. “You remembered that?”
I shrug as my gut squeezes. “Sure, why wouldn’t I? I mean, we have a lot of regulars with favorites that I remember.”
Aunt Maddy smirks. “See, Milo. She is capable of memorizing facts.”
Milo laughs, sliding the shake closer and aiming his lips at a straw.
“They all look amazing,” Christie says, grinning.
“Hi, I’m Maddy West,” Aunt Maddy says, placing the milkshakes down on the opposite side of the table. “I’m Jamie’s aunt.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ash says as Christie slides a milkshake in front of him.
“You too,” Maddy says with pep. “I’ve been dying to meet you guys.”
Ash and Christie stare at her like she’s shining bright headlights.
