Leo shrugs. “Okay, three million. What’s the point?”
“Surprise.” Maddie throws up her hands awkwardly. “I’m Cherry.”
I furrow my brow, confused. “Wait, what?”
“I…um…”
Addie throws her head back on the couch when Maddie stumbles over her words. “What our girl is trying to say is thatshe has a secret identity and has been living a double life as an infamous artist with a cult-like following named Cherry. She’s most known for her glass sculptures. People from around the world have commissioned pieces from her, and no one knows who she is.”
I bite my bottom lip to hold back my smirk. “Your name is Cherry?”
“Uh huh.” Finally, I get a smile out of my girl.
“When did you start this?” I ask.
“Two years ago.”
Wait… “Two years ago? I fucking knew you missed me.Cherry.”
Leo groans. “Seriously, that’s your takeaway?”
“Three million followers,” Mase says slowly.
I can see him putting things together in his mind.
“We know you’ve gotten hit a few too many times and need extra time to catch up,” Leo teases, tapping the side of his head, and it lightens the room instantly.
“No, you idiot. I’m just in awe. That’s amazing, Madeline, but why not tell us? I don’t get it.”
“It’s not like I wanted to keep it a secret, but I liked having something just for me. I felt naughty keeping this secret life no one knew about.”
“That’swhat makes you feel naughty?” I raise a brow, causing Mase to chuck his bottle of water at me.
“Seriously, Davenport?”
Maddie ignores him and looks straight at me. “You’re not mad, are you? I know we don’t keep secrets, and I should have told you earlier, but it still felt like a hobby until recently.”
She goes on to tell us about her workspace here in the city, where she goes on her early morning runs, and how she’s been burning the candle at both ends.
Only then does my irritation spike.
She’s going to run herself into the ground.
She already worries me enough with how many hours she puts in for M-Squared.
“Why is it not a hobby now?” Leo asks.
Addie chimes in, “Oh, you know, because the best manager in town brokered her a deal for a custom piece for four hundred thousand.”
Leo spits out his scotch all over the table.
“Seriously, Leo? Clean that shit up.”
“Four hundred thousand?” he repeats.
“Trust me. I couldn’t believe it myself. So now, I’ll have my own studio and a new boss.” She smiles at Addie, but I can tell she’s still nervous about something. “And it just feels more legit.”
Mase must see it too, and his big brother mode kicks in. “What else is going on, Maddie? Why now, why tell us today with everything going on?”
