Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

My steps eat up the distance to the lobby.

I’m half tempted to turn around and barge into the women’s room. Stuffy relatives be damned. But if Maddie’s in there puking, making her walk all the way to the back of the parking lot would be cruel.

But I told her the truth. If she’s still back there when I pull around, I’m carrying her out.

A blur of green catches my attention, and I dart my hand out, snagging one of my youngest cousins by his sleeve.

He stumbles to a halt.

“Uncle Axel!”

“Hey, kid. Will you go find Brian and tell him I’m taking Maddie home?”

He nods his head violently.

“Thanks,” I muss up his already wild hair, then keep moving out the front door.

With worry quickening my stride, I cross the expanse of the lot. Most of the guests are still here but some have left, so we aren’t the first to go.

Starting the engine, I almost smile at the fact that we’re escaping without one of Aunt Janet’s classic horrid confrontations. I’m sorry Maddie’s not feeling well, but I’m not sorry that she’s missing out on that particular family tradition. That senile bitch ought to be locked away from public view.

Resisting the urge to speed through the parking lot, I make my way to the front of the building just in time to see the doors push open and a little goddess in black step out.

My pig brain zeros in on the way her curves dance in that dress. But then my eyes catch the way her head is hanging down and her arms crossed over her stomach.

“Shit,” I curse myself for being such a jackass.

I put the shifter to park and shove my door open.

“No, it’s okay!” Maddie’s voice stops me, and a glance out her window shows her hurrying the distance to the passenger door.

I hesitate for a moment and it’s long enough for her to reach the car.

She tugs the door open and slides into the seat, not raising her eyes to meet mine.

Shifting back, I pull my door closed at the same time. “You alright?”

She nods but doesn’t answer. Her hair falling in a wave across her face.

“Baby,” I press my hand on her thigh, giving her a gentle squeeze, “tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” she whispers back.

I rub my hand up and down her thigh twice before reluctantly letting go so I can put the car in drive. But I put my hand right back where it was.

Driving down the street, I steal looks at my girl.

I hate that she’s not feeling well. It makes my chest hurt just thinking about her being in pain.

Not wanting to push her, we stay quiet as I drive home, keeping the radio low.

When we pull into her driveway, Maddie startles me when she speaks.

“You don’t have to come in.”

My head jerks to the side, looking at her in the dark. “Not come in?” I shake my head. “That’s not gonna happen.”

“But-”

I turn off the car. “No buts. You’re sick. I’m not leaving you home alone to fend for yourself.”

Maddie’s silent for a moment, then she sniffles.

She fucking sniffles.

And every protective instinct I have bristles to life.

“Maddie.”

When she doesn’t look at me, I climb out of the car and circle around to her side – making sure I move fast enough to get there before she can get out – and open the door.

I crouch down next to the car, putting us at eye level. “Baby, talk to me. Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Why didn’t I think about that sooner? Maybe she’s really ill and needs a doctor?

When she shakes her head, I reach out and grip her chin, gently turning her to look at me.

Her eyes are red-rimmed, evidence of tears on her cheeks, and my chest squeezes even tighter.

“Maddison.” My gaze moves over her face, back up to her eyes. “You gotta talk to me.”

I can see the movement in her neck as she forces down a swallow. “I don’t need to go to the hospital. I just want to go to bed.”

I watch her for another moment, my thumb tracing her jawline. Then I tip my head in a single nod. “Alright, Baby Doll. We’ll go to bed.”

She sniffles again and I lean in, pressing a kiss to her forehead before helping her out of the car.