Page 72 of Ever With Me

“Serves you right,” she said with a shake of her head.

“I forgot how much I hate hangovers.”

“Well, here’s to no more. Ever again.” She leaned across him and pointed at his menu. “Bunny doesn’t offer her chicken soup for breakfast, but she’ll do it for me if I ask because I know she’s already got it simmering back there.”

“Sold.” They got to the front of the line, where Bunny stood taking orders, a pumpkin-decorated apron over her plump figure. Some things in Brandywood never changed, and Bunny working the front register at Brandywood was one of those things that comforted Maddie.

Bunny’s blue eyes lit as she saw Maddie. “Good morning, darling,” she said, leaning across the counter and planting a kiss on her cheek. She looked over at Brooks and gave Maddie a questioning look. “Who’s the dish?”

“Bunny, this is myfriend.” She purposely left off his name in case anyone close by was watching. “And this is Bunny Wagner Yardley . . . my step-grandma. Bunny is married to my grandfather. My friend would like a bowl of chicken soup, and I’ll take the smoked salmon and avocado on a croissant, both of which are the most delicious in the world.”

“Hello, friend,” Bunny said with a knowing look. She chuckled. “You don’t have to flatter me to get the soup, kiddo. I’m more than happy to get it for you.” She directed her attention to Brooks. “I should warn you that you’re in the hands of someone mildly exaggerating my talents.”

“To be honest, your café was the first place I was recommended when I came into town—by someone else. So it’s not just Maddie,” Brooks said smoothly.

Really? Who else had he talked to in town? Maddie gave him a curious look.

“I’m not exaggerating anything.” Maddie took her card out to pay.

Bunny waved her off. “You’re family.”

“But I want to.”

“Family doesn’t need to pay, sweetheart.”

Brooks stepped in, slipping his card out of his wallet and sliding it over. “What if I pay? I’m not family. And I’d really love to treat Maddie to breakfast.”

Bunny sighed reluctantly, then took the card. She swiped it and handed it back. “I’ll bring the food out to your table, love.”

Maddie turned to lead Brooks toward the table, then froze.

Josh and Gina were walking through the front door, hand in hand.

A squeal sounded from someone at a nearby table—one of Gina’s friends—who stood, flapping her hands. “Let me see, let me see!” She rushed up to Gina, reaching for her hand.

Holy shit.

Is that a DIAMOND?

Feeling like the floor was opening beneath her, Maddie reached for the first thing to steady herself on, which happened to be Brooks’s arm.

The whole café seemed to be watching Josh and Gina now, and a few people started clapping and handing out congratulations.

And there were the inevitable eyes on Maddie, too.

What the fuck?

They’d only been dating for a few weeks . . .right?

Maddie’s throat quickly went dry, tears pricking her eyes as Josh met her gaze.

Brooks’s smooth, deep voice was in her ear. “Someone you know, I take it.”

She let his voice ground her, then tore her gaze away and nodded.

Brooks took her by the hand, then led her to the farthest corner booth. But instead of taking the seat that faced in, out of sight from the rest of the café, he plopped her in that seat and then sat beside her.

The familiar black-and-white-checkered pattern of the tabletop grew wavy in her vision.

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