Light filters weakly through the curtains, stabbing at my eyes. My tongue feels like sandpaper.
I blink at the clock. Eight thirty a.m.
Mia. The shop.
I shoot out of bed, and immediately regret it. The room tilts, spinning in slow, miserable circles. I groan and press a hand to my forehead, then spot the aspirin and water bottle on the nightstand. Ethan.
I swallow the aspirin and chug the water, letting it wash away the sour taste clinging to my tongue. My throat burns, but I force it down, then stumble toward the bathroom to brush my teeth.
The mirror stops me cold.
I’m still in last night’s dress. My makeup is smudged beyond saving, making me look like a raccoon that survived a storm, and my hair… well, it’s now a bird’s nest with commitment issues.
Great. Just great.
I shake my head and scrub at my face, brushing my teeth until the mint sting numbs my tongue. A splash of cold water, a bit ofcream, and I’m almost human again. Then the panic hits.
Mia. She should already be at school.
My stomach drops. I sprint down the hall in my stupid dress, bare feet slapping the floor. When I reach her room, I stop dead.
Her bed is made. Curtains open. Pajamas folded neatly on top.
She’s gone.
My heart stutters.“Mia?” My voice comes out small and broken. I rush downstairs, pulse hammering, ready to scream for help.
And freeze.
The kitchen is alive with morning. Dex, Jude, Ethan, and Cas fill the space like they own it. The smell of coffee and pancakes wraps around me like a blanket. Josh stands by the coffeepot, pouring with practiced ease, and Lily’s at the stove flipping pancakes, her humming soft and steady.
“Mornin’, gorgeous.” Ethan smirks over the rim of his mug.
Dex scratches his head, amusement lighting his eyes.“Rough night?”
I blink, realizing how I must look, makeup smeared, hair wild, wearing last night’s dress like a walking cautionary tale. Ethan swats Dex in the back of the head before I can even respond. Cas just shakes his head, grinning.
“Left Penny asleep in bed,” Cas says proudly.“She said she’s calling off her appointments today.”
“Mia?” My voice cracks.
Ethan steps closer, smile soft, reassuring.“Mom got her ready, and I took her to school. She’s fine.”
The words loosen something tight inside me until the memories rush back: the beers, the laughter, the singing, the almost-kiss.
“I need a shower,” I squeak, cheeks burning, and bolt for the stairs. I want to crawl into a hole and never come out.
The dress hits the floor in seconds, and I’m under the shower before I can think. The hot water pounds against my skin, washing away the smell of beer and shame.
Oh God. I tried to kiss him.
Steam fills the bathroom, fogging the mirror, hiding me from myself. I’m never drinking again.
When I’m finally clean, dressed, and my hair dry, I take a deep breath and head back downstairs, bracing myself for the teasing I know is coming.
But it’s quiet. Only Ethan’s there now.
He’s leaning against the counter, sleeves rolled up, a half-smile tugging at his mouth.“Mama left you some pancakes,” he says, nodding toward the plate on the table. Then he pours two coffees, one black, one with cream and sugar, and slides the latter in front of me.
