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“Hey, muffin,” I said, walking up beside her.

“I thought I told you not to call me pet names,” she replied. She didn’t seem genuinely annoyed though, and her face lit up when I brought out an actual muffin from behind my back.

“But I will totally reconsider if that muffin is for me,” she said, her eyes growing wide.

I laughed as I handed it to her. “Sure is. I stopped by the bakery this morning to grab some breakfast and thought you might like it.”

“You thought right.” She took a bite and let out a small groan. “Raspberry and white chocolate is my favorite,” she said.

I couldn’t work out how Madi managed to make eating look so cute.

She took another bite before looking up at me. “If baked goods are a part of dating Cole Kingston, I can’t wait until this contest is over.”

“It’s all part of the package, raindrop,” I replied.

She lifted her eyes up to the ceiling but shook her head and laughed. My nicknames were growing on her. There was nothing I wanted more than to rest my arm over her shoulders and walk her to class, but I knew I couldn’t do that when so many people were watching.

Just until the end of next week, I reminded myself.

I struggled not to sit with Madi when lunchtime came. She was still at another table with Hayley and Teagan, while I was stuck with my usual group. I wanted to abandon them for the drama table, but I knew I couldn’t do that yet.

“I thought we talked about you being a creeper,” Tanner said.

I laughed and looked away from Madi. It was a welcome change that my stares weren’t one-sided anymore. I often found her looking back at me, and whenever she caught my eye, she’d smile and blush before looking away. If anyone was watching us closely enough, they’d probably figure out our secret straight away.

Tanner looked like he suspected something as I turned back to our table. He had raised one eyebrow at me, and there was an annoying smirk lifting the corner of his lips.

“Do I need to host an intervention?” he asked.

“Probably,” I muttered, making him laugh.

He gave me a firm slap on the back. I knew it was supposed to be friendly, but it felt a little more like someone slamming a cement brick against my spine. “Dude, you’ve got to make her work for it.”

“I’m not sure you’re the best person to give dating advice,” I said.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tanner replied.

“Do I need to say her name out loud?”

Tanner scowled at me, which drastically improved my mood. “Stacy and I are doing great right now, if you have to know.”

I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. “Since when?”

“Since Saturday.”

“I give it a week.”

“Come on, be generous.”

“I was,” I said with a shrug. From the dark look Tanner was giving me, I could tell he didn't agree.

“I’m only joking about…” my voice trailed off as I felt a set of hands on my shoulders. They were light and delicate, and my heart leaped at the thought of Madi, but then I caught a whiff of overbearing perfume.

“Hey, Cole,” Laurie purred in my ear.

I pulled her hands off my shoulders and turned to face her. I couldn’t stop the disappointment from showing on my face that it wasn’t Madi standing in front of me.

“Hey, Laurie,” I said.