Page 71

“Great.”

I made it to Maddy’s in forty minutes. I had a fast shower, grabbed an Uber, and headed over. I had the driver drop me by the little grocers and went in, buying some grapes and cherries. It felt as if I should be contributing to the breakfast, and I knew those were Maddy’s favorite fruits.

At the house, I was greeted enthusiastically by the girls and introduced to a few others who were in the same program. The fruit was exclaimed over, and chaos abounded. Maddy was cooking eggs and smiled up at me as I went over and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Hi, gorgeous.”

She smiled and patted my arm, accepting my kiss as she stirred the eggs in the pan. “Hi, handsome.”

She looked even more exhausted, and I noticed the slight tremor in her hands.

“Can I help? I can do the eggs.”

“No, I’m good. Grab a coffee and sit. This will be ready in a moment.”

I did as she said and sat at the table. Moments later, everyone joined me, Maddy sitting next to me. The table was crowded, and I had the feeling this was a regular occurrence. There were scrambled eggs, pancakes, and toast. Bacon and the fruit I brought. A dish of hash browns was placed next to my elbow.

“Carbing up, ladies?” I teased.

Jill grinned as she added eggs to her plate. “This is the only meal this weekend we’ll be together. Our schedules are insane.”

They all looked tired, but Maddy was beyond that. I watched her eat, listening to her laugh with her friends. It struck me that she was more relaxed with them than with me. It made sense, I supposed. She had been with them day and night now for three months. They knew one another well and were sharing the same experience. She had now known them longer than she had known me.

That fact made me feel unsettled.

“Lucky girl.” Winnie, another roommate, nudged Maddy. “Two visitors in a few weeks.”

“Oh?” I asked, curious.

“Sue came on a business trip. She was here for a day.”

“Awesome.”

Maddy shook her head. “She was here on exam day. I was cramming all morning, wrote it that afternoon, and was barely able to stay awake for dinner.”

“I’m sure she understood.”

“Nevertheless, I felt terrible.”

“She’ll check next time,” Jill said sagely. “My parents know not to come until I ask.”

Her words felt familiar—there were ones I had used early on in my career. “If I have time,” had been my mantra. With the schedule I kept, I never had time.

The conversation carried on around me. They asked me a few questions, but it mostly revolved around the upcoming exams, the intense labs they’d had that week, and their dislike of one teacher.

“She’s got it in for you,” Angie said, indicating Maddy.

“Why?” I asked, glancing at Maddy, who was looking at her plate.

“Personality thing,” she replied with a shrug.

I let it drop, but I knew it bothered Maddy more than she was letting on.

After breakfast, we sat on the steps, sipping coffee while the girls cleaned the kitchen.

“What’s your plan?” Maddy asked.

“Well, I was hoping to spend it with you, but listening in there, I don’t think that’s happening.”

She sighed and hugged her knees. “I’m trying, Matthew. I’m pulled a hundred different directions right now. I didn’t know you were coming.”