Page 7 of Madd Love

Jen

“Evelyn,” I call her name and smile as I pop a bite of muffin into my mouth. I can already tell she’s up to some shit as she ties on her apron.

I came in earlier than usual this morning. I couldn’t sleep. Seeing Maddox at the restaurant while I was on a date did a number on me after the way he acted. Even for him, it was weird, and honestly, I’m a bit confused by his behavior lately. Rather than dwell on it, I decided to come in and get to baking. It always distracts me from my thoughts; well, that, a book, and an excellent murder podcast. I’m a simple girl, really.

“Yeah?” Evelyn answers, and I practically choke to death when she finally turns in my direction.

I shake my head, a smile tipping my lips. My best friend is nuts, and I love every second I get to spend with her and the girls.

“You’re not wearing that.” I point the rest of my muffin at her.

Our customers would flip out.

“What?” Evelyn asks with an innocence that she does not possess. She looks down, acting like she’s confused. “My apron? What’s wrong with it?”

I cackle again as I take it all in, but then she about makes me wet my pants when she starts posing and says in the creepiest voice I’ve ever heard as she pretends to put on lipstick. “Would you fuck me? I’d fuck me. I’d fuck me so hard.”

This girl is insane!And one of the best people on this Earth. I feel bad that I haven’t been forthright with her, Glory, or Christina, butI’ll tell them soon.

“Stopit. That’s so creepy. You’re a freak.”

“You don’t like this apron?” Evelyn asks as she waves her hand over the hairy male torso covering the front of the apron. “Yeah, this may be too much, huh?”

“Just a little,” I replied, holding my thumb and my forefinger barely apart, but our laughter was cut short by a knock on the door.

We both freeze momentarily and look at each other.

“Somebody must really need some coffee.”

Evelyn heads to the front door, and from my vantage point, I can see it is Atticus.Those two look cute together.The thought makes me smile, finish my muffin, wash my hands, and grab a cooling yellow cake. This order is a simple yellow cake with buttercream icing. I agree that sometimes the simplest things are the best—nothing like the messy, complicated situation that is currently my life. I knew better than to keep carrying on with Maddox, and I did it anyway.

The vagina wants what the vagina wants or something like that, right?

I decide to head up front and offer to make some breakfast for Evelyn and Atticus. It’s still early and a while before we open. I suspect after Atticus turned my friend into a patch-wearingpirate, they could use some food and time alone. Except when I reach the front, I freeze.

Maddox stands before me, looking like the rock god that he is. We aren’t even open. The birds aren’t even awake yet, and my guess is that he was out all night doing things that mega-huge rock stars do. I don’t even want to think about that.

“Jen, Maddox wanted to—”

Before Evelyn can get the sentence out, I raise my eyebrows at her and mouthno,trying to convey everything I haven’t told her yet. I should have told her he is the last person I want to see right now.

“Talk to you?” Evelyn is speaking, but I can see her brain processing everything. Every moment that Maddox and I both just seem to vanish must play in her mind as the realization that I have been making this rock star my booty call sinks in.Does anyone even say booty call anymore?I storm my way toward Maddox as I awkwardly smile at Evelyn, push by her, snatch Maddox by the hand, and lead him toward the front door.

“We need to talk,” Maddox exclaims as we exit the door.

I wince at his tone while I lead him off to where there are no windows for anyone, namely Evelyn, to see this conversation take place. I wouldn’t doubt if that woman couldn’t read lips. She does have several hidden talents.

I turn to face him once I pass the windows.

“You don’t think Evelyn will wonder why you’re coming to the bakery this early asking to see me, and then we leave? This isn’t obvious at all, and it reeks of a booty call.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I lean my back against the wall, and maybe I ogle Maddox as he stops and stands an arm’s length in front of me.

“Booty call?” He throws his head back and laughs.

I watch his Adam’s apple bob in the muscled tan column of his throat. Everything this man does is sexy, from his smile tohis dimples and perfect inky-dark hair. Those unusually colored green eyes remind me of moss in a hidden forest. Fuck, I could get lost in them for days, but I digress. None of that matters if the man doesn’t want anything more than sex with me. It was nice; fuck, it was great for a time, but I want more. I want a partner. Someone who will be there to go through the highs and lows of life with me. Maddox isn’t built for that. He’s built for sin, and I have been a sinner with him for too long.

“You’ll think of something to cover this up, I’m sure. Maybe you should tell her the truth.” He mirrors my stance and crosses his arms over his chest before he cocks a brow in defiance.

“What truth? What’s to tell?”

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