Page 63 of Thorn Kiss
Madi looked like a sexy summer Morticia Addams dressed in a black jumpsuit and strappy sandals as she crossed the street with my best friend.
I had about three seconds to smooth my hair, pull off my gloves, and swipe rose stems into the trash before the door bell jingled and they stepped inside.
Cute. Madi was so cute, I couldn’t handle it. Especially when her cheeks were rosy and she looked a little flustered. “Good afternoon. What are you two up to?”
Avery smirked and it took every ounce of willpower not to interrogate my best friend in front of my crush. She was up to something. I’d known her my entire life and knew the face of an Avery plan when I saw it.
“Oh, you know. We’re going to get an early dinner.” Avery leaned against the counter. “Want to join?”
“If you have time,” Madi added quickly. She tucked her hair behind her ears, her cheeks and chest blushing. “I’m sure it’s been busy, so if you don’t have time, that’s totally fine.”
“Oh, come on,” Avery coaxed. “June could use a break. Right?”
I narrowed my eyes on her. Our group chat would be hearing about this later. “I’ll make the time. Let me go grab my purse and lock the back door.”
“Perfect,” Avery said victoriously.
What the hell was she up to? I knew that look.
“I’ll be back,” I said.
Madi’s attention was on a bucket of flowers. I got caught in a trance, watching as she leaned in and smelled one of the purple lilies. She hummed to herself then picked up a tiny, potted succulent. Mentally I made a note of which one as she put it back down so I could give it to her later.
Avery wiggled her brows at me. “Mm-hmm.”
“Avery,” I hissed under my breath.
My cheeks burned as I rushed down the hall and grabbed my bag from a hook, then locked the back door. When I returned, Avery had her hand on the door knob, one foot already out the door.
“I’msosorry,” she announced. “Just got a text. I have to go help my mom out with something. Is it okay if I raincheck? You two go to dinner without me.”
Using her mom as an excuse nearly made me cackle. Becausewhat the fuck?Between the three Whynot siblings, Avery wasneverthe chosen one to help out, even though she and her mom were doing much better than they used to.
“Sure,Avery,” I said, keeping my tone flat. “Tell your mother I said hi.”
Avery wassodamn pleased with herself. “I will. Madi, stop by the studio any time.”
I narrowed my eyes as Avery shot us a wide grin and bounced out of my shop. She was damn nearskippingacross the street back to her gallery.
Madi crossed her arms. “She definitely just set me up.”
“She sure did,” I laughed. “Glad you spotted that.”
Madi's smile broadened. “I really like her. And the studio. I didn’t expect everything to feel so welcoming in Whynot, but it really has.”
My phone buzzed with four rapid texts.
Avery
You’re welcome ;)
Evie
Oh god. What did you do to our friend?
Avery
I’m helping her get laid
