Noah shrugs. “You could always ask Ryan—”
SPLASH!
Water explodes out of my mouth. Everywhere. Including Noah’s notebook. He jerks back like he’s been shot and I slap a hand over my mouth so fast I nearly break my own nose.
Noah tilts his head slowly. “Maddy… seriously. What is going on with you today?”
“I—nothing!” I squeak. “I’m just… drinking water wrong.”
They just stare at me and panic climbs my spine like a fire alarm. Before they can question me again, I blurt the first escape route my brain finds: “Do they need help at the café today?”
Dad blinks. “Uh… well, not really. Most things are handled. But there are always a few small—”
“GREAT. AMAZING. I WILL HELP.”
I am already speed-walking toward the stairs.
“Maddy?” Dad calls. “I didn’t even tell you what the tasks are—”
“WHATEVER THEY ARE, I’M SO EXCITED,” I yell from halfway up.
Anything—literally anything—is better than sitting calmly in that kitchen trying not to think about last night.
I’ve been working for three hours straight. And by “working,” I mean spiralling in a productive way. Because Dad was right. There were only a couple small things to do and I finished those in half an hour.
The café is fully staffed. Dawn’s behind the bar, and two weekend girls are taking orders.
I’ve cleaned every window. Sorted every storage box. Sharpened the kids’ colouring pencils. Reorganized the napkin display. Cleaned the glass case. Then cleaned it again. And now…I’m cleaning itagainagain.
Dawn suddenly appears beside me, leaning her hip against the counter. “Mads,” she says slowly, “You're acting weird again.”
I keep wiping. “I’m not.”
She laughs softly. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Dawn follows, smirking. “Something happened with Ryan right?”
I choke on air. “No.”
“You know your cheeks get red when you lie, right?”
“My cheeks don’t—nothing happened, okay? Everything is normal. Everything is totally—”
The bell above the door rings. I glance up and Ryan walks in.
Universe, are you serious?!
My soul leaves my body. And without thinking, I drop straight down behind the bar and smack my head lightly on the counter.
“Maddy?!” Dawn whisper-screams.
“Shhh!” I hiss, crouched on the floor.
“What are you doing—”
“Just stand there! Be normal!”
