Page 61 of I’d Be Honored

“Hayley’s gone through a lot in her life, and—”

Maddie cut her off, turning around to lean her back against the countertop. “I know. I get it—she lost her mom. She’s scared. I’ve heard all that before, but now I want to know what’s really going on.” I at least deserved that.

Gemma stayed quiet, avoiding Maddie’s eyes across the island while she lifted her mug and took a slow sip.

“Please, Gemma,” Maddie pleaded. “Give me something, I feel like I’m losing my mind.” She gripped the edge of the marble behind her, feeling lightheaded.

“I’m sorry, Mads. I have to protect Hayley’s trust, but please don’t give up on her. She feels something real for you. I’ve never seen her open up to anyone the way she has with you.” Gemma rested on her elbows, her expression softening.

Maddie drew a ragged breath, pushed away from the counter, and braced her hands on the island. She despised being left in limbo, but she trusted Gemma’s intentions. If there was even a sliver of hope left with Hayley, then Maddie would have to swallow her desperation and cling to patience, even if it felt like it would tear her apart.

Gemma reached out and squeezed her hand. “I can see how deeply you care about her, so I know this probably feels like shit.”

“What’s going on in here?” Caitlin asked as she wandered into the kitchen.

Gemma’s eyes danced at the sight of her fiancée. “Hey baby.”

“Don’t ‘hey baby’ me while you’re holding another woman’s hand,” Caitlin teased, trying to look upset.

“Cait, shut up.” Maddie laughed suddenly.

Gemma giggled, shaking her head. “Yeah, sorry babe, no one buys it.”

“Are you calling me a bad actress?”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Oh, here we go.”

——

A few hours later, Maddie stepped out of a boxing class drenched in sweat, her muscles trembling. She had pushed herself hard, hoping the intensity would clear her mind. It didn’t. She checked her phone for what felt like the thousandth time, only to feel more unsettled.

She headed home, showered, and made herself lunch, going through the motions without really tasting or feeling any of it. Eventually, the silence became too loud.

Letting out a long, heavy exhale, Maddie reached for her phone to try Hayley one more time.

Maddie: Can we please talk?

It buzzed in her hand, and Maddie nearly jumped out of her skin. She looked down at the screen, but there was still no response from Hayley. She tapped the arrow in the corner, returning to her message inbox. Her shoulders fell when she saw who the new text was actually from.

Kim: I miss you. Are you ever going to answer any of my texts? Maybe we can FaceTime tonight.

Maddie: No.

Just one word. It was all she had left for Kim. Maddie opened Kim’s contact card, her thumb moving before she could talk herself out of it. She scrolled to the bottom and tapped “Block Caller.”

DAYS WENT BY WITH NO WORD from Hayley. She hadn’t even stopped by her best friend’s house in over a week, which Caitlin said was practically unheard of. Maddie finally reached for the last card she had to play.

Maddie: Is everything set for this weekend?

It was the one excuse she’d been saving as a last-ditch effort, hoping that the bachelorette party would finally force Hayley into responding. Maddie didn’t know what was going on with them, but she knew Hayley would never flake on Gemma.

The big day was now only six weeks away, and the party for the two brides-to-be was set for the next evening. Maddie and Hayley had planned the whole thing together, mostly on their own, under a strict set of rules from their best friends, of course. Gemma and Caitlin had provided the guest list and explicit instructions to “avoid pussy straws, tacky decorations, sashes, or anything that hinted at a wild last hurrah.” With only a slight amount of whining, Maddie and Hayley had respected their wishes and put together a fun, low-key night that fit the brides’ style.

Maddie had been excited for it, at least until now. She no longer knew where she stood with Hayley, and the thought of seeing her for the first time in days while surrounded by a group of women, half of whom she barely knew, made her stomach twist. The bachelorette party was supposed to be a celebration of joy and love, yet Maddie suddenly felt like she needed to brace herself for it.

That night, Maddie sat on the couch beside Caitlin and Gemma, idly scrolling social media while the TV murmured in the background. Her phone unexpectedly vibrated in her hand, and she jumped, startled out of her trance. Her heart dropped when she saw the name on the screen.

Hayley: I confirmed the private room for dinner and bottle service at the club for Saturday. The limousine is scheduled to pick everyone up from Gemma and Caitlin's at 7 p.m.