“Okay.” She leaned back. It sounded like a bad idea, but telling him no wasn’t an option if she wanted to convince them this was real.

When her second drink arrived, she ordered a round for all of them. It was time to relax and to party. At least this time, Phil and Liam thought there was a reason to celebrate for a change.

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Madison wiped her clammy hands on her pant legs. Over at the coffee bar, Danielle was waiting for her.

She straightened her shoulders and yanked the door open. Long-forgotten scents pierced her nostrils. Someone seemed to have ordered burritos, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted over. An irresistible combination.

Some tables had been moved since her last visit, and even though the interior had clearly gotten an upgrade, it still looked as inviting as it had back then.

“Mad!”

Madison turned. On wobbly legs, she stumbled toward a beaming Danielle, who sat at their favorite corner booth from so long ago.

Danielle’s long, red mane was still wild, and her freckles were prominent even in the dim light. Her bright green eyes shone as if she was really happy to see Madison. Danielle was as beautiful as ever.

Before Madison had the chance to think of something to say, Danielle jumped up and engulfed her in a fierce hug.

Madison froze. But the longer the embrace lasted, the more she relaxed into the gentle touch. Danielle’s warmth surrounded her like a fluffy blanket, and the tension fled Madison’s body. She inhaled Danielle’s flowery perfume while her arms wrapped around her cousin’s small form.

Too soon, Danielle let go and sat back down.

How could she have forgotten how wonderful it was to hug someone and to be hugged? Stop having those stupid thoughts. You’re not the cuddly type. She sank onto the bench opposite Danielle. “How are you doing?”

Danielle sipped her drink through a straw. “Great, and you?”

“Same.” Madison stared at her folded hands. The brief text messages they had exchanged hadn’t revealed the reason for this meeting. As much as she’d enjoyed spending time with Danielle as a teenager, now they had nothing left to talk about.

“You’re probably wondering why I called.” Danielle leaned back as if trying to get more distance between them. Or maybe because she felt the void. “I, um, need your advice and, uh, I also might have an offer for you.”

Her words could mean only one thing. “You’ve got money problems.”

Danielle cocked her head, making her curls bounce in the process. A smile grew into a laugh so carefree that a longing pierced through Madison like a punch in the stomach. A longing for what she didn’t know.

“My folks are not as rich as yours, but that doesn’t mean I just called you to—”