Maddie was about to reply to Lucy when her phone buzzed with an incoming call.
“Maddie! You scared me half to death,” Lucy exclaimed, her tone frantic. “Why didn’t you answer my messages? I thought something had happened to you!”
“What could possibly happen to me?” Maddie replied with forced lightness, trying to put her friend at ease.
“Well, Rico took down the hot search, didn’t he? That must mean something. You’re not as upset now, right?”
Maddie hesitated, her voice softening. “Lucy, it wasn’t Rico. It was my sister who handled it. And honestly, I’ve stopped caring about Rico. I’m getting ready to go home.”
The words barely left her mouth when a knock came at the door.
“Maddie, breakfast is ready,” Rico’s voice called from the other side.
Her heart jolted. She had slept so deeply the night before that she hadn’t heard him return. Panicking, she quickly ended the call with Lucy and opened the door.
***
Rico stood outside, dressed casually in his pajamas. His dark hair was tousled and his expression was unreadable.
“You said you’re going home?” he asked, his tone sharp.
Maddie’s mind raced. “You misheard,” she said quickly. “It was Lucy who’s going home.”