“Wow,” he says quietly, leaning in a little closer. Something soft and familiar flickers across his face. “Lilies.” His eyes lift to mine. “He knows you well.”
“Yeah,” I say, glancing down at the flowers again. “He knows his girlfriend very well.”
As I look at the flowers, I wonder what Mom would think if she could see this. Fake dating Ryan Drayton.
She’d probably give me a look and tell me not to do it. Something wise and reasonable about honesty and feelings and not creating unnecessary chaos. But then secretly she’d absolutely want every single detail.
She did always adore him. So she’d probably also tell me I at least picked the right one, because he’s a gentleman. Which to my surprise, he really is. I know this is all just the act. But I can’t help but wonder, would he do this on a real date too?
15
MADDY
What if, what if, what if, what if, what if, what if
It’shot. I’m barely a mile in and already losing my breath. I had actually planned to go surfing today, but when I looked out my window this afternoon, the waves were practically non-existent. So I decided to go on a run.
But the sun has apparently decided to make some kind of comeback, and I’m paying the price for it.
“Close To You” by Gracie Abrams plays through my headphones as I match my steps to the beat, focusing on my breathing while the heat creeps across my cheeks.
I turn the corner onto Baylin’s main street, where the town is slowly closing, getting ready for the evening. First comesLavender & Cookies—the one place in town where the chocolate chip cookies are so good the owner practically walks around like she knows it. Which, honestly, she should.
Next door is the little bookstore with the crooked wooden sign that creaks whenever the wind picks up, followed by the tiny supermarket that feels like that one supermarket you go to on vacation, which on itself is a whole adventure.
As I pass the flower shopForget Me Nots, the music in my ears cuts off as my phone suddenly vibrates against my arm in the running band strapped to my side.
I slide the phone free to see Dad’s calling. I answer it while I keep running.
“Hey Dad, what's up?” I say, out of breath.
“Mads.” That's all he says, but I recognize that tone everywhere. Something is wrong.
I immediately stop running. “Dad, what's wrong?”
I hear a lot of rumbling in the background, but I can't make out what it is. After a couple seconds, my dad lets out a big exhale. “There was a break-in at the café.”
My heart actually just sank into my stomach.
“Oh, my God, Dad, are you okay?” I ask, the words barely coming out.
“Yes, uhm—well… I uhm.” he stumbles on his words, and I hear his voice shaking. Like he doesn't know what to say and I feel the panic crawl up my entire body. “Dad, did you call the police?”
“Yes, they’re already here, I just didn't really know what to do, so I called you.”
“Dad, I will call Noah right now and we will come over right away okay?” I say it so fast, the words almost don't form a sentence.
I hear him mumble something to himself. “Yes—okay, thank you honey.”
I have only heard him like this one time before, which I can't even bear to think about right now. “Okay Dad, stay there, just do what the police say and we will be there as soon as we can.”
I hear a shaky sob. “Okay.”
My heart shatters, but I hang up, turn around and start running again. Faster than I just did. Fuck—I think faster than I’veeverrun.
I keep running, my mind racing, going faster than I am. Why would anyone break in? What did they steal? Is Dad okay? Is someone hurt? Was Dad there?
I don’t even know what to think. The only clear thought cutting through the noise in my head is that I need to call Noah.I pull my phone back up, trying to keep my eyes on the sidewalk while I scroll through my contacts. My hand is shaking so badly the names blur together on the screen. For a second I think I’m going to drop the phone entirely.
