Rico frowned, his expression hardening. “What do you mean? You always have some ready. Why can’t you even handle this small thing?”
His sharp tone cut through Maddie and for the first time, he sounded impatient with her. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip to keep her emotions in check. If she spoke, the tears she had fought so hard to suppress would spill out.
She wanted to tell him she was leaving. That soon, the lights left on for him at night, the meals waiting for him when he came home and the sobering tea she always prepared wouldn’t be there anymore. But she said nothing.
Jane pouted dramatically and playfully nudged Rico. “Don’t be so harsh on her, Rico! Go take a shower already! We have an interview tomorrow, remember?”
Rico softened immediately, his frustration vanishing as he smiled at Jane. “Alright, I’ll go. Wait for me, okay?” He leaned in, affectionately brushing a hand over her cheek before heading to the bathroom.
Maddie felt a lump rise in her throat.
***
Once Rico was out of earshot, Jane turned to Maddie with a bright smile, pulling out her phone.
“Hey, can we exchange numbers? I think it’d be nice to stay in touch,” she said sweetly.