Page 46 of How to Break My Heart

Don’t ask questions.

Strictly wedding talk.

Quickly, I excuse myself to make us coffee. Billie is busy taking orders on the other side, which is a good thing since I’m pretty sure she will interrogate me once this is over.

The coffee machine begins grinding the beans, I place the ground coffee into the portafilter, distribute it evenly, and then slide it back into the main machine to begin tamping. My hands reach over for a cup, moving it underneath. When both cups are complete, I return to the table, placing Aston’s before him.

“So, this is your place, huh?” He scans the café, including Billie, who is behind the counter pretending not to be stalking us. “Nice.”

If there is one thing I’m proud of achieving, it’s Donuts Ever After. Everything in here was thought-out, from the woodland-green colored wall filled with artwork showing different types of donuts painted by a local artist to the exposed brick wall with a pink neon sign hanging that reads In My Donut Era.

The booths have a diner-style feel, but my favorites are the small provincial oak round tables I ended up pairing with Hamptons-inspired chairs, a mix of all the things I love. The ceramic vases in the middle of each table mimic a stack of books with artificial purple zinnias sitting inside them.

“Yes, it’s mine.” My lips press into a fine line. “I’ll also take yourniceas a compliment even though I’m sure you’re thinking this place is too cutesy for your liking.”

“I never said that.”

“You’re a guy, a city guy. I bet you drink your coffee from some overpriced coffee shop on Wall Street claiming to have the best blend in the country.”

“Actually, you’re right.” He brings the edge of the cup to his mouth, drawing my attention to his alluring lips. My eyes dart across the room in a panic, only to see Billie with her I-told-you-so face. “Though, this tastes amazing.”

“Okay, stop being nice to me. It’s weird,” I complain. “Can I go through my list now?”

He nods with a scoff. “Go ahead.”

I made the list simple so Aston’s tasks are easy. After I mention what needs to be done, I wait for his response.

“So, all you need me to do is ensure all the men turn up to the suit fitting, organize the bachelor party, then show up at the wedding?”

“Pretty much. Do you think you can handle that?”

“Not at all,” he answers with sarcasm laced in his voice. “I can run a billion-dollar company, but getting a few guys together to try on suits is well above my capability.”

“Look, okay, I don’t need your bull—”

Maddy appears at the door with cheeks flushed from the cold, distracting us from the near argument. She removes her purple knitted beanie, beaming as she notices us sitting at the table. In a mad rush, she takes a seat and releases a long sigh. “Thank God you two are together.”

Billie joins us, asking Maddy if she wants anything to drink. Maddy mentions she left the city at the crack of dawn to beat the traffic, so she is extra wired on caffeine but orders a cinnamon twist since she skipped breakfast. “I was worried this would be too hard for you guys, like there was a beef or something.”

“I never said there was a beef.” I suck my cheeks in, sputtering those words in a raised voice. “What makes you think we can’t work together?”

“Aston is too busy, and you’re getting laid by a doctor,” Maddy replies casually.

My mouth falls open the moment those words leave hers. Across from me, Aston makes a slight growl. I can’t believe she brought up Marco, especially in front of Aston. On top of that, I’m not even sleeping with Marco.

“This is not appropriate to discuss, Madelina,” I grit, purposely calling her by her full name. “My personal life should be personal.”

“Fine.” Maddy rolls her eyes out of boredom. “Can we talk about the dress fittings, please?”

As Maddy talks, Aston remains quiet across from me. I avoid his unrelenting stare and nod when needed as if I’m paying attention to Maddy. All I hear are words liketulleandlace, but aside from that, my mind is questioning why Aston’s mood has shifted.

She glances at her watch mid-sentence, releasing another heavy sigh. “How is it this late already? Myles’s mother and Mom are heading out to brunch, and they asked me to join them.”

It’s just before nine thirty, which is hardly late in the day. Though Maddy appears to be reacting to the caffeine as she annoyingly bounces her leg beneath the table.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me your mom is here.”

Maddy glances at Aston as something passes between them. I wait to see if either will indulge my curiosity, but both look uncomfortable.