12 MADDY
MADDY
This is better than reality TV
“Alright,” Dawn says, clapping her hands. “Now that we’ve covered the boring updates about school and work… I want tea. So start spilling the romance updates.”
Tess groans immediately, while Daphne perks up. I just take a slow sip of my coffee, already knowing exactly where this is headed.
The café has been dead for the past half hour. The espresso machine sits quiet and the pastry case is fully stocked. Dawn and I are still technically working, perched on the stools behind the bar, but at this point we’re mostly just keeping an eye on the door.
Across from us, Tess and Daphne sit on the customer side of the counter, both of them sipping on coffee and enjoying our homemade brownie. They came into Baylin to catch up.
The four of us were inseparable in middle school, and whenever we meet up again, it feels like we’re exactly the same girls. Like we’re eight again and about to get in trouble for laughing too loud indoors.
“I’ll go first,” Tess says dramatically, pushing her curls back over her shoulder. Her glasses slide halfway down her nose for what has to be the fifth time since she got here. “My love life is still non-existent. Men are exhausting. That’s my update.”
Dawn nods once in agreement. “Well, same here.”
Daphne, meanwhile, is practically glowing with optimism. She leans forward, eyes bright. “Okay, but I refuse to believe we’re all doomed,” she says. “Statistically speaking, at least one of us should be meeting the love of our life soon.”
There she is. Our resident hopeless romantic.
I press my lips together slowly… already feeling Dawn’s attention sliding my way, because now it’s my turn to update the girls. They all turn toward me.
“Well…” I lower my voice and lean forward. “I’m kind of fake dating someone.”
Three jaws drop at the same time.
Dawn practically squeals. “I KNEW SOMETHING WAS GOING ON!”
“Sshhh! No one else can know.” I say, looking around to see if anyone heard us.
Daphne’s jaw is still on the floor. “Wait—what?!” She whisper-shouts.
“Wait, wait,” Tess whispers, putting her hands up. “Explain everything.”
So I do. I explain everything in a rush, how Ryan and I struck a deal, how Jacob is very much jealous, how the town is absolutely eating it up. I keep my voice low, leaning over the counter like I’m sharing classified information. They lean in with me, eyes wide.
Dawn blinks, her brown ponytail swinging as she shakes her head. “Wait. Ryan Ryan?”
Tess squints. “Like… Ryan Drayton? Noah’s best friend Ryan?”
“The one who basically lived at your house?” Daphne adds.
I sigh. “Yes. That Ryan.”
Dawn presses a hand to her chest. “Girl. I expected much from you, but this?” She exhales dramatically. “I’m shook.”
I just roll my eyes while Tess tilts her head. “Okay, but what if you, like… actually catch feelings?”
“What? No,” I say immediately. “Of course I won’t.”
They exchange a look, and I open my mouth to argue, but the bell over the café door rings and Ryan walks in. And just like that, the entire energy behind the counter shifts. The girls catch me staring at him, because I mean, hello, timing? Does he really have to walk in now?
My eyes track him as he steps inside with a bag slung over one shoulder, brown curls still a little wind-messed up and grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, which is basically every girl’s weakness.
“Speaking of the devil,” I mutter.
Daphne gasps. “Why didn't you tell us he got a glow up?”
I feel my face heat up. “Guys—”
“He got hot,” Dawn whispers with wide eyes.
“Like… unfairly hot,” Tess adds.
“Shh,” I hiss. “Stop. He can hear you.”
They do not stop and I am powerless against these three girls.
Ryan’s gaze finds me eventually, his mouth lifting into that easy, familiar smile as he heads over. By the time he reaches the bar, the giggling across from me has reached dangerous levels.
“Hey,” he says and before I can even brace for it, he leans down and presses a quick kiss on my cheek and I freeze. Three very audible gasps sound from across the counter.
“You don’t have to do that,” I whisper. “They know.”
He shrugs, completely unapologetic. “Okay, well, the rest of the café doesn’t.” Then his attention shifts past me, recognition flickering. “Hey. Long time.”
“Hey.” Tess perks up immediately. “We were actually just talking about—”
I kick her shin under the bar. She yelps, cutting herself off, while Daphne and Dawn are nudging each other, eyes full amusement.
I look back at Ryan quickly. “What are you even doing here?”
“Training,” he says easily. “Needed some caffeine for motivation.”
“Right.” I turn toward the machine before the girls can do anything stupid. “Yeah. I’ll make it.”
I focus very hard on the espresso machine, even though I can feel the giggling building behind me like pressure in a soda can.
A minute later, I slide the cup across the counter. “Black. No sugar.”
“Perfect,” Ryan says, taking it. He grabs his wallet and hands me a five dollar bill. “Here.”
I wave him off. “It’s on the house.”
He passes me a smile, tugging the dollar bill back into his pocket. “Thank you.”
I give a small smile back and he glances at the girls again. “Good seeing you.”
“Yeah, you too,” Daphne says, a hint of a smile tugging at her mouth. Tess lifts her fingers in a small wave. “Bye.”
Dawn nods. “See you around, Ryan.”
Ryan’s eyes flick back to me, amusement still sitting there. “See you tomorrow, babe.”
He says it just loud enough that a couple near the entrance turns to look. I narrow my eyes at him, but he only winks, then turns and heads for the door. The bell jingles behind him. Slowly—very slowly—I turn back around. All three of them are already staring at me.
“Oh my God,” Dawn says, pointing toward the door. “This is better than reality TV.”
Daphne fans herself dramatically. “Is it hot in here?”
I drop my face into my hands. “Oh my God, girls, stop.”
Tess just smirks, arms crossing. “You’re seriously going to sit there and tell us you don’t see it?”
Heat crawls up my neck as I throw my hands in the air. “Okay, fine. He looks good. I’m not blind. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“Uh-huh,” Tess drawls, not buying a single word.
Daphne nudges Dawn. “She’s totally blushing.”
“I am not,” I protest which, obviously, makes them laugh harder.
We end up staying another couple hours, losing track of time the way we always do together. Eventually, though, we have to close the cafe so they have to start heading back again. We linger by the door for one last round of hugs.
“You better keep us updated,” Tess says, one eyebrow raised.
“Especially if your boyfriend keeps pulling stunts like that cheek kiss,” Daphne adds with a grin.
I wave them off, fighting a smile. “Okay, okay, out before you blow my cover.”
After a few more hugs and promises to FaceTime soon, they head out and Dawn and I finish the last of the cleanup.
She flicks off the lights, then pauses mid-step. “Oh, wait.” She doubles back behind the counter and reappears holding a leather wallet. “Ryan left this earlier.”
I frown. “Seriously?”
“Yup,” she starts, handing me the wallet. “You better return it to your hotshot.”
I snort, slipping it into my coat pocket. “Very funny.”
She pulls me into a quick hug before we split off in opposite directions. I head toward my car, Ryan’s wallet now noticeable in my pocket.