Page 74 of Mine To Hunt

The call connects after a few rings, and Maddie’s cheerful voice bursts through the speaker almost immediately, bright and familiar enough to lift my spirits despite the heaviness sitting in my chest.

“Ree!” She says. “Good morning. What’s up?”

I let out a slow breath, the tension in my shoulders easing a little just from hearing her voice.

“Hey, Mads.” I hesitate for a second, trying to steady myself. “I actually have the day off today.”

My fingers trace absent patterns along the edge of the table. “And I was thinking maybe we could meet up somewhere. Grab coffee or just hang out.”

I force a weak laugh. “I could really use some friend time right now. Things have been… kind of overwhelming lately.”

Maddie doesn’t hesitate for even a second.

“That sounds absolutely perfect.” She says immediately, her enthusiasm spilling through the phone. “Seriously, perfect timing.”

I hear movement on her end, like she’s pacing around her flat.

“Al and I were literally talking about you yesterday.” She continues. “Wondering how you’ve been holding up. Why don’t you just come over here? We can hang out at my place.” She says casually. “It’ll be way more comfortable.”

A quick pause. “And I’ll text Al to swing by too.” She laughs lightly. “Make it a full group hangout.”

Warmth spreads through my chest at the invitation. The simple normalcy of it feels like a lifeline after everything that’s happened lately.

“Okay.” I say, a small smile creeping onto my face. “That works for me.”

I glance toward the clock. “I’ll head over in about an hour once I get ready.”

“Perfect.” Maddie replies. “I’ll make coffee. And maybe pancakes if I’m feeling ambitious.”

I laugh softly. “Deal. See you soon.”

Another pause. “And Mads?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. For always being there.”

She snorts lightly on the other end of the line.

“Obviously.” She says. “That’s the job.”

I get dressed in a comfortable jeans and a cardigan, trying to shake off the unease from everything happening that still makes my skin crawl with fear every time I think about it.

The confusion from that moment mixes with the terror, leaving me feeling vulnerable, but the thought of seeing Maddie and Al helps push it to the back of my mind for now. I head out to Maddie's place, the ride feeling a bit less daunting because I know support is waiting at the end.

When I arrive at Maddie’s door, it swings open almost immediately, like she’s been waiting behind it.

“Ree!”

She pulls me into a big hug before I can even say hello, squeezing tightly enough that some of the tension coiled in my chest loosens instantly. Her energy is so bright and warm that it lifts my mood almost by force.

“Come in.” She says, guiding me inside. She gives me a quick once-over. “You look like you could use a strong coffee.”

A mischievous smile appears. “Or maybe something stronger… but let’s start with coffee.”

I laugh softly and hug her back, holding on for a second longer than usual. The simple warmth of her friendship pushes back the isolation that’s been hanging over me for days.

“Yeah.” I admit as we step inside. “Coffee sounds perfect right now.”