Page 57 of Mile High Daddy

“A finance guy?” I repeat, glancing back at him. “In Camden Hill?”

Maggie shrugs. “Yeah, I thought it was weird too. But he said he likes the quiet, and he’s just here for a little while. Probably hiding from the feds,” she adds with a wink.

I don’t laugh.

Something is off.

I don’t know what it is exactly, but my instincts are prickling in a way I don’t like.

Maggie, however, is oblivious. “Come with me,” she says, tugging on my sleeve.

I recoil slightly. “Maggie?—”

“Come on,Leah. You never go out. I swear, you live between your apartment and this café.”

For good reason.

I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

She pouts. “Why not?”

I hesitate.Because you don’t know who you’re dealing with. Because nothing in my life is simple anymore. Because I have too much to lose.

Instead, I say, “You just met him.”

“So?” she says, flipping her curls over her shoulder. “Leah, this town is tiny. We don’t exactly have a booming social scene, and you know I’m not interested in the drunk frat parties.”

I exhale, rubbing my hands on my apron. “It just feels…weird. Why is some rich guy throwing a party here?”

Maggie sighs. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine. You should come. Maybe it’ll help you loosen up a little.”

I glance at Ryan again.

He’s still on his phone, but for the briefest second, I swear I see him looking at me through the reflection in the window.

My stomach knots.

I don’t like this.

Not one bit.

But if I push too hard, Maggie will get suspicious. And the last thing I need is her asking more questions about why I’m so paranoid.

So I force a tight smile. “Just…be careful, okay?”

Maggie grins, patting my arm. “Always.”

But I don’t believe her.

The bell above the café door jingles, and I glance up, expecting to see another student or professor stopping in for their afternoon caffeine fix.

Instead, I spot Alex.

A familiar warmth spreads through my chest before I can stop it.

He strolls in like he always does—relaxed, hands in the pockets of his well-worn hoodie, dark hair falling into his eyes. He’s got this effortless charm about him, the kind of presence that makes people feel at ease.

And judging by the way Maggie suddenly perks up from where she’s restocking the pastry display, I already know what’s coming.

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