Page 23 of Medusa

“Why?”

“Because if I hadn’t gone, I wouldn’t have methim.”

Chloe nodded thoughtfully for a moment after that. “You think you’d be happier if you hadn’t met him?”

“Well, yeah.” Maddie huffed, crossing her arms and leaning back on the cushions. “Or maybe what I regret is leaving with him.”

“How many speed dates had you been on before you met him?” Chloe asked.

“Five or six.”

“What did you think of them?”

“Stuffy bores,” Maddie said bluntly.

Chloe chuckled. “And the aforementioned ‘him?’ What did you think of him?”

Maddie blushed. “Exciting. New. Hot.”

“If you didn’t know what would happen after, would you still leave with him if you could go back in time?”

“Ugh, that’s hard.” Maddie closed her eyes, resting her head on the back of the couch. “Yes. Yes, I probably would.”

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why?” Maddie asked. She turned her face away, her cheeks burning. “I’m sure you heard all about how the evening went fromhim. I could see it in his eyes the moment we met. I wouldn’t turn that away. Couldn’t.”

“Maddie, what exactly— No, scratch that.” Chloe hummed to herself for a moment, and then took Maddie’s hands in hers. “Look at me. Jaden—stop it and listen to me very carefully—Jaden didn’t even mention you until he absolutelyhad to. He only told your name to me, not to the officers who picked him up. The only details he gave were that he left at two, when he went home.”

Maddie shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. “Butwhydid he leave?”

“He didn’t tell me that,” Chloe said. “But I’m serious, Maddie. He tried to keep you out of it. We needed to know his whereabouts between seven and eleven, and he was with you for the bulk of that. Otherwise, I’m sure he wouldn’t have even mentioned you.”

Now Maddie was annoyed with herself. “Why am I even more bothered by that? Was I so unmentionable?” she asked, blowing her bangs out of her eyes.

Chloe smiled sympathetically. “When I asked him to describe you, he was very complimentary.”

Maddie couldn’t think of a response to that. She tightened her lips and closed her eyes again.

“I really think you need to go talk to him,” Chloe said gently.

“Even if I wanted to, I don’t know anything about him,” Maddie said.

“Lucky for you, I do.” Chloe grinned. “The rain should have cleared by the time we finish eating. After dinner, here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to go home, put on something cute, and then you’re going to go to Valhalla’s Throne. Either he or his brothers will be on the schedule tonight. If it’s Augustine or Finley, you can ask them for their address. If it’s Jaden, you can have your chat. Ask him why he left in the middle of the night and then didn’t mention you during a police investigation.”

“Do you really think that’ll work?” Maddie managed to stop herself from whining just in time. “What if he’s the kind of guy who’s one-and-done?”

“Then you deserve to hear that to your face, don’t you think?” Chloe replied. She twisted her mouth up in consideration. “Actually, don’t put on something cute. Put on something drop dead gorgeous. He’s already seen you in ‘cute.’”

Maddie laughed in spite of herself. “I don’t have anything like that.”

“Okay, I’m going to make a call.” Chloe winked at her as she held her cell up to her ear. “It helps to have a Goddess on speed dial. Hera? It’s Chloe. Are you with Augustine tonight? Do you mind taking a few minutes to help out a friend? She needs to re-seduce Jaden. He’s at Odin’s at eight? That’s perfect. Yeah, come by my place in about an hour? You’re the best. Love you, too. Mwah.” Chloe beamed at Maddie. “Your personal stylist will arrive after dinner. And she knows Jaden, so she knows what’ll make him fall at your feet.”

“How will that help us talk?”

“That’syourjob. First, you’ve got to make Jaden wake up and notice you. We got you, girl.”

Maddie swallowed nervously. “Thanks. I think.”

---