Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

Someone honks as I jerk my wheel, taking the turn through the intersection too fast.

Too fucking bad.

BeanBag Coffee Shop comes into view ahead of me, and my eyes are already scanning the street for her car.

I don’t see it.

My grip on the wheel tightens.

Maybe she parks somewhere else. Maybe there’s a few spots around back.

Not bothering with a signal, I cut off another car by pulling across the street and into an open parking spot right in front of the shop.

I leave the car running, refusing to waste the seconds it would take to turn off and lock the car.

There’s a short line of people at the counter – the 11:00 rush that Maddie’s told me about before – and I know I should be patient, but I’m not. I won’t be. Not when it comes to her.

Striding past the line, I stop next to the person ordering. The woman about my age glances up at me, then glances up again.

I ignore her and address the kid behind the counter. “Where’s Maddie?”

“Umm,” he looks between me and the woman trying to order.

“Griff,” I remember his name, “Where is Maddie.”

“She’s not here,” another voice chimes in and I recognize the woman standing over by the espresso machines.

I keep my gaze on her, “Where is she?”

The woman stares me down for a long moment, and I can see she knows, but she’s deciding if she’ll tell me.

“Please,” I grind out the word.

Her lips purse before she replies. “She texted to say she’s not coming back in today. Something about not feeling well.”

I clench my jaw to keep from shouting and leave.

Sliding back into my car, I try to sort through the emotions flowing through my body.

There’s so much anger.

Anger at Aunt Janet. At myself. And even at Maddie.

She should’ve trusted me with the truth.

She should know that I’d protect her.

She should know how I feel about her.

“Fuck!” I pound my fist against the steering wheel.

She should know. But she doesn’t. Because I’m a big dumb asshole and never told her.

Cursing myself the whole way, I drive to Maddie’s house in a matter of minutes.

But, as I feared, she’s not here.

And after the third call that she sends to voicemail I slump down on her front step.

This isn’t over and I sure as hell am not giving up.

My Maddie can try to run, but she can’t hide forever.

And when I find her…

The smallest amount of tension leaves my bunched shoulders.

When I find her, I’m going to make sure she understands just how much she belongs to me.

And how much I belong to her.