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Prologue
Skyla Madigan was about to carry two large pitchers of the unique color changing butterfly pea flower cocktail out to her friends, when her cell phone buzzed in her back pocket. She groaned inwardly, not even needing to check it to know who was messaging her. Everyone she knew who would ever send her a text was here at Hallie and Caden’s housewarming party.
“Skyla, bring them this way.” Hallie called, waving her down to where she stood in the shade with her mom, and their friend, Orly.
“Perfect timing.” Orly smiled, taking one of the pitchers and pouring some for herself. “I love how pretty this drink is.”
“I know. I love the blues and purples. Thank you so much for making this special drink for our party,” Hallie said. “Today has just been absolutely incredible.”
“We’re so happy for you.” Skyla put her arm around Hallie, giving her a little squeeze. “You and Caden deserve the best.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Hallie’s mom said. “You ladies should come over to our house for a long weekend this summer. We could go shopping, hang around the pool, and of course, drink plenty of beautiful and delicious beverages.”
“Sounds heavenly.” Orly said.
Hallie laughed. “Oh my gosh, that would be amazing. My parents’ pool is out of this world and it has a water slide and jacuzzi to die for. Then we can stay up late watching movies while gorging on Mom’s cupcakes and cookies. She makes the best baked desserts.”
“I’m always happy to bake for my daughter and her friends. Do you remember when you’d have all those slumber parties with your little friends in elementary school?” Hallie’s mom asked.
Hallie’s cheeks turned pink and Skyla smiled. She was so happy for Hallie and Caden, but hearing about other people’s idyllic childhoods always made her wonder how different her life would’ve been if her mom hadn’t died when she was fourteen.
Her phone buzzed again and Skyla shifted, trying to ignore it. The vibrating stopped and Skyla inwardly sighed in relief, but then it started again.
Caden’s mom approached and was quickly brought into the fold. “My husband and I were over there talking to Tanner and Garrett about that fancy grill my son bought, but I overheard something about a color changing drink and I just had to come over here to see what that was all about.”
“I’ll pour some for you Mrs. Dobbs,” Hallie said. “I’m not sure if you know this, but Skyla runs the famous Madigan’s Bar and Grill and she makes the best mixed drinks. I’m hoping maybe one day she’ll teach me a few of the recipes.”
“I’d love to,” Skyla said, giving Hallie a quick side hug. “I’ll be right back.” She reached into her pocket and stepped away from the group. Looking at her phone, Skyla couldn’t help but wince at all the messages she’d missed from Arlo J.
AJ: We need to meet.
AJ: You still owe me.
AJ: It’s urgent. Answer or I revoke my protection of your old man.
AJ: Last chance.
Skyla’s eyes burned as she pressed his name on the screen and brought the phone up to her ear. The last thing she wanted to do right now was talk to the man who was literally making her life a living hell. But what choice did she have?
“You’re a hard one to track down today. Madigan’s. Twenty minutes.” His blatant demand sent a shiver up her spine, but the line went dead before Skyla could respond. It didn’t matter though. It wasn’t like she could argue or postpone. She’d made a deal with the devil and it was time to pay up. Again.
She glanced over her shoulder at her friends. Hallie and Orly were laughing, while the moms were trading recipes on their phones. The guys seemed to be in their element, manning the grill or in the case of Caden and Blake, talking about something serious. But that didn’t surprise her. Blake hadn’t been the same since his incident. The only one missing was Martin, but he was working today so he was going to swing by later.
“Hey Skyla, is everything okay?” Orly asked.
Skyla smiled, grateful to have friends who cared and noticed when she seemed off. “I’m good, but there’s a situation at Madigan’s I need to take care of.”
“Oh no, you’re leaving?” Hallie asked.
“Will you come back?” Hallie’s mom asked. “This drink is absolutely incredible.”
“Thank you, and no, I don’t think I’ll be able to come back. But it was really nice meeting you both,” she said to the moms. “I hope you stop by Madigan’s one day. Drinks are on me.”
“We’ll definitely take you up on that,” Mrs. Dobbs said.
“I live a little ways away, but I’m hoping to visit Hallie more often. Maybe we can do a girl’s night.”
“I’d love that,” Skyla said. She may not have had a happy childhood, but with Orly and Hallie, she had a chance to be happy now. “I gotta run. I’ll see you ladies later.”
