Page 56 of Make You Mine

Hannah:

God, no. I wouldn’t leave without telling you. I’m in the bathroom, and he went out to get his car. Are you okay?

Madelyn:

Yes. I’m with Band T-shirt Guy. He went out for a smoke.

I lie. It’s clear I’ve been stood up. As usual. But I don’t want to worry Hannah. She should still have fun, that’s what we’re here for.

Madelyn:

So you are leaving with him.

This time, my message is not a question but a statement.

Hannah:

Yup. Want me to stay?

Maddy:

Absolutely not. Go get that D, girl. Tell me all about it later.

Hannah:

I will hehehe *eggplant emoji* *tongue emoji* You too!

Maddy:

I will *smug smile emoji*

I sigh and sidle up to the bar to order another drink, because why the fuck not?

Sitting by the bartender, I drink my Espresso Martini in silence. The bitterness of the coffee imitates the current state of my dating life.

Why did I think it would be any different this time? What’s so hard about a girl wanting to have a little fun and pissing off her stalker on the way?

I grunt.

Once again, Madelyn A’gosto got stood up by a guy.

I don’t even know what I’m doing here anymore.

I finish up my drink, my head spinning, as I hold my phone in my hands.

There’s no way I’m walking home.

It’s either I take a cab or…call the one guy I shouldn’t.

18

KAYDEN

I’m startled awake by the loud ringtone.

Shit. I don’t usually fall asleep. Not without knowing Maddy’s home, safe, with me.

I must have dozed off.