Page 75 of Mine To Hunt

Her flat smells like fresh grounds and cinnamon. A minute later we’re sitting in the cozy living room, curled into the familiar couch cushions while she hands me a steaming mug.

Maddie studies my face carefully. “So?” She says casually, though the concern in her eyes is obvious. “What’s the plan for today?”

She tucks one leg under herself. “We just chilling here?” A small grin forms. “Or do you want to do something a little more exciting?”

She wiggles her eyebrows. “Because I have ideas.”

I take a sip of the coffee, letting the warmth spread slowly through my chest. It helps settle the restless buzzing in my mind.

“I was honestly just thinking we could hang out.” I say. “Talk.” I shrug. “But if you’ve got ideas…”

Maddie’s grin grows wider. It’s the exact expression she gets whenever she’s plotting something.

“Oh, I definitely have ideas.” She stands suddenly and points toward the hallway. “First things first. Go change.”

I blink at her.

“Into something comfy.” She continues. “But fun.” Her grin turns slightly dramatic. “Something you can move around in.”

“Move around?” I repeat.

She nods. “Al’s coming over soon.”

My eyebrows lift.

“And we,” she announces proudly, “are going out to have some real fun.” She gestures toward me. “Because you, my dear, deserve it more than anyone after the hell you’ve been dealing with.”

The exhaustion from the past few days tugs at me immediately.

“Mads…” I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m kind of tired.”

The coffee mug warms my hands. “All the stress lately… it’s just been a lot.” I glance at the couch. “Maybe we could just stay in.”

I shrug weakly. “Watch a movie or something?”

Maddie shakes her head immediately. “Nope.” She crosses her arms stubbornly. “Absolutely not.”

“Ree.” She says firmly. “You’ve been drowning in stress.” She starts counting on her fingers. “The stalker. Everything with Ryan.”

She drops her hands. “You need a break. We’re getting you out of this flat for a few hours. You’ll breathe. You’ll laugh.”

A playful wink follows. “And maybe do something slightly reckless. Trust me. It’ll help you recharge.”

I sigh again. But I can’t stop the smile that creeps across my face. Maddie has always been impossible to resist when she decides something.

“Fine.” I say. I raise my hands in surrender. “You win. As usual.”

Al arrives not long after, knocking on the door with his usual upbeat rhythm that somehow manages to lift the mood of any room he walks into.

“Hey, ladies.”

Maddie swings the door open.

“Al, get in here.” She says immediately, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. “Iris is all set and geared up.”

She glances at me with a playful smirk. “Let’s go before she changes her mind.”

Al laughs softly and walks straight over to me, wrapping me in a tight hug that carries the quiet reassurance only he seems to manage.