Page 52 of Madness

As I'm wiping down the counter, the bell above the door chimes. A blonde girl walks in, looking a little worse for wear. There's something vaguely familiar about her, but I can't quite place it.

"Welcome to Sunny's," I say, plastering on my customer service smile. "Sit anywhere you like."

She slides onto a stool at the counter, her eyes scanning the menu. When she looks up, there's a flash of recognition in her gaze.

"Lauren? Lauren Hudson?"

I blink, caught off guard. "Yes? I'm sorry, do I know you?"

She laughs, a brittle sound. "I guess you wouldn't remember me. I'm Nikki. I used to date Miles back when he was with Earth Sign."

The name hits me like a slap. Miles. A flood of memories threatens to overwhelm me, but I push them back. I have customers to serve, and a job to do.

"Oh, right," I manage, my voice steadier than I feel. "What can I get you, Nikki?"

She orders a coffee and a burger, then leans forward, her eyes glittering with something that makes me uneasy. "So, how've you been? It's been what, three years since...?"

"Three years, two months," I reply automatically, then wince. I shouldn't still be counting.

Nikki nods, a knowing look on her face. "Yeah, it's rough. I heard about it through the grapevine. Such a shock, you know?"

I make a noncommittal noise, busying myself with pouring her coffee.

"I mean, who would've thought?" Nikki continues, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort. "Miles and that married chick. What was her name? Carly? Christie?"

My hand freezes mid-pour. "What?"

Nikki's eyes widen in mock surprise. "Oh shit, you didn't know? I thought... I mean, it was going around that Miles was seeing this married woman. Heard they died together. Overdose, right?"

The world tilts sideways. Miles... and a married woman? My mind races, pieces falling into place with sickening clarity. Dakota's wife, Chloe. The same night. The same way.

"I... I have to..." I stammer, barely aware of the coffee overflowing onto the counter.

"Lauren? You okay?" Nikki's voice sounds far away.

I nod mechanically, grabbing a rag to mop up the spilled coffee. "Fine. I'm fine. Your burger will be right up."

I escape to the kitchen, leaning against the cool metal of the refrigerator. My heart is pounding, my breath coming in short gasps.

It can't be true. It has to be a coincidence. Miles wouldn't...well, I can’t say that. Miles would. But Chloe couldn't... could she?

But even as I try to deny it, I know. Deep down, I've always known there was more to the story of that night.

The order bell dings, jolting me back to reality. I have a shift to finish and customers to serve. But as I pick up Nikki's burger, my hands shaking slightly, one thought echoes in my mind:

I need to talk to Dakota. Now.

After delivering her food without a word, I fumble with my phone in the break room, my fingers shaking as I dial Dakota's number. Straight to voicemail. Again.

"Dakota, it's me. I... I need to talk to you. It's important. Please call me back as soon as you can."

I stare at the phone, willing it to ring. Nothing.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself and head back out to the diner. Nikki's still at the counter, picking at her fries. I approach her, my heart pounding.

"Hey, Nikki," I say, trying to keep my voice casual. "I was wondering if we could talk a bit more. About Miles."

She looks up, surprise flickering across her face before settling into a knowing smirk. "Sure, honey. Pull up a chair. Looks like you could use a friendly ear."

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