Page 28 of Just One Little Bargain

“Morning!” Nina beams at me. “Those muffins smell amazing.”

“Help yourself.” I gesture to the basket and pray they’re too wrapped up in each other to care about my drama.

They fold into chairs at the far end of the table, his stubbled jaw finding the curve of her neck before she’s even unfolded her napkin. Jade’s brown hair is rumpled, his shirt buttoned wrong, and neither of them seems capable of keeping their hands to themselves.

I’m starting to think I might get away with this when Mrs. Wilson speaks up again.

“We were just talking about last night,” she says to them. “Did you two notice anything?”

I’m going to kill her. She’s a lovely woman, and I’m going to kill her.

They look at each other and grin. “We didn’t hear anything,” Jade says, ears going red. “We were . . . busy.”

Nina elbows him and they both dissolve into giggles.

“Well, that’s good,” Mrs. Wilson says, but she’s looking at me again with those concerned green eyes.

“Like I said, uneventful.” I smile so hard my face hurts.

I retreat to the kitchen and find Marmalade sitting by his bowl, staring at me with judgment and hunger in equal measure.

“You already ate.”

He meows, long and accusing.

“It’s not my fault you’re a garbage disposal with legs.”

He screams louder.

I dump more food in his bowl, because fighting with him requires energy I don’t have. He stops complaining and settles in to eat, purring between bites.

The kitchen is quiet except for the dishwasher’s rhythmic swooshing. I pull out plastic containers and start packing cinnamon rolls for Maddie, who’ll have heard some version of this story by the time I see her and still want my side anyway.

That’s what best friends do. They listen to your unhinged explanations and don’t immediately suggest therapy.

My phone sits facedown on the counter where I left it because I’ve been pretending the outside world doesn’t exist. When I flip it over, the screen lights up with a cascade of texts that make me want to throw it in the blender.

Daisy: so are you going to tell me why there were police at your house last night?

Daisy: or am I supposed to just hear about it from Rebecca Hartley at the pharmacy like everyone else

Daisy: because that’s what happened btw

Daisy: Rebecca told Mom

Daisy: Mom called me at 7am

Daisy: SEVEN

Daisy: when I could’ve slept in

Daisy: she opened with “is your sister okay” and then pivoted to asking if I think you’re lonely

Daisy: which is a wild conversational journey to take before coffee

Daisy: Evie I’m serious call me back

Daisy: if you don’t answer in five minutes I’m driving over