AUDREY

Exhaustion clings to me, but I can't see the point in trying to sleep. Aislinn will be up soon anyway. I tip-toe through the house, careful not to wake her. Normally, I'd reach for coffee, but today, I need something stronger.

I open the fridge, and there it is—a large can of Redbull, right in the middle. As if someone left it there just for me. I grab it, closing the door with my heel as usual, and plop myself down at the kitchen counter. Cracking the metallic seal open, I slide a paper straw in and take a long sip. The sweet tang jolts me awake in a way coffee never could.

Jake's last text stares back at me from the kitchen bench. The guilt gnaws at me as I think about how I ignored him last night. Ghosting him wasn't exactly intentional, but now I wonder if he'll take it the wrong way. Retaliation? Spite? Maybe, but that's not what I wanted.

I toss my phone aside and try to focus on the present. The memory of last night is still fresh, and I need to distract myself.

Aislinn's laptop sits on the counter, and the temptation to snoop is strong. It's not like me to invade her privacy, but curiosity wins. I open it, expecting it to be locked, but it isn't. The desktop wallpaper is an old photo of Aislinn and Maddie, arms around each other's waists, smiling. I wonder how things are between them now, making a mental note to ask later.

I scroll through her search history—tutorials on cat-eye makeup, a forum for fanfiction, and a search on whether ghosts are real. Then I stumble across something unexpected: "how to make the perfect friendship bracelet." A wave of relief washes over me. Maybe things with Maddie are getting better? But what about the ghost search? Has something happened?

I close the laptop, more questions than answers swirling in my mind. The Redbull has done its job, and I'm buzzing with energy, but I can't shake the curiosity about her sudden interest in the paranormal.

As I turn, I catch Aislinn standing in the doorway, her eyes narrowing as they dart between me and her laptop.

"What's going on?" she asks, tilting her head.

My heart skips a beat. "I... uh... borrowed your laptop. I just wanted to Google something, but... well, I saw your search history."

"Oh, the friendship bracelet thing or...?" she asks, crossing her arms.

"Uh, yeah," I say, not wanting to pry further into her ghost search. Maybe she'll bring it up on her own later.

"Yeah, I looked that up ages ago. It's nothing."

"Okay," I say, deciding not to push it.

She moves about the kitchen, pulling items from the pantry. Another breakfast? And so soon? I could really get used to this.

"So," she says, raising a single brow. "How was your night?" There's a mischievous glint in her eye that makes me smile despite myself.

"It was lovely. He seems like a nice guy."

"Does that mean there's going to be a second date?" she grins, wagging her brows. This conversation feels like a strange reversal. Her enthusiasm is so endearing that I can't help but giggle.

"Maybe. But I promised Liv I'd go on three dates. There's one more set for Saturday. Hiking."

Aislinn whoops. "Yes! You're really getting back out there. Although, hiking? Mum, why would you agree to that?"

She's right. While I like the outdoors, I'm more of a leisurely stroll gal. But I doubt Max's idea of a hike-date will be too intense. Or at least, I hope so.

"Actually, I need to get some sneakers before the weekend," I say, more as a reminder to myself than anything else.

"Have you heard from Jake?"

The mere mention of his name renders me motionless. Aislinn's eyes are more perceptive than I realised.

"He messaged me last night... while I was on my date."

Her mouth drops, eyes wide. "Sheesh, awkward." I nod.

"He wants to catch up when he's here for work."

"Well, shit!"

"Aislinn! Language," I say, drawing my brows together.

She grins and waves her hand dismissively. "What did you say? Did you tell him you'd love to see his handsome face again?"

I roll my eyes. "Oh, my goodness, Ais. No, of course not. I haven't even replied yet."

"Well, go on," she urges, nodding toward my phone.

"What? Now?"

"Yes, now," she says, placing her hands on her hips. "Do you want to keep going on dates with these random guys, or do you want to see where things go with Jake?"

There she goes, being all motherly again. And worse, she's right—again. It's strange, bizarre even. Perhaps an alien has taken over my daughter's body? I sigh, picking up my phone and type a response. Then delete it. I try again and delete it once more. Honestly, I don't know what I'm doing. What am I even supposed to say? Do I flirt or keep it casual?

"What are you doing?" Aislinn asks, observing me.

"I can't figure out what to say."

With one swift swipe, she snatches my phone out of my hands.

"Here, I'll do it." Before I can protest, she's sent a message.

"Hi Jake, I'd love to. When will you be in town? Audrey xo."

I cringe, imagining all the ways he could react. And what's with the 'xo'? I barely even send that to my daughter in text, let alone a guy I'm just getting to know.

Aislinn laughs. "Relax, Mum. It's fine. Trust me."

I finish my Redbull and sneak a pancake from Aislinn's plate. Flooding it in a river of maple syrup, I shovel it into my mouth. It leaves a gooey trail down my chin, and I swipe it with a single finger.

"How's school going?" I ask, hoping she might fill me in on things with Maddie.

She tells me about Maddie's visit on Monday night, and how she's giving their friendship another shot. I get it; genuine friendships are rare and worth fighting for. If it were Olivia and me, I'd probably do the same. But I'm also concerned about Maddie. The whole thing gives off stalker vibes, and I worry about Ais. It's the sort of thing I've seen on crime shows, and I dread the thought of where it could go from here.

"Mum, how do you get trust back once it's gone?"

I pause, considering the question. "It depends on the situation. And if the person who broke the trust is truly sorry, I suppose. And if the other person genuinely wants to forgive them. Then maybe with time."

"And if they don't?"

"Then you probably have your answer."

"Hmm," she says. "Thanks, Mum. I've got to get to school. I need to talk to Maddie."

"Okay, sweetheart. Have a good day. I love you."

As Aislinn races up the stairs, I return to my phone. A new message from Jake awaits.

"I'll be there for a few days. I'm driving there on Sunday, and plan to head back on Tuesday."

A few days? That's not much time. I type a reply, pausing before hitting send.

"Where are you staying?"

He replies almost immediately. "Not sure yet. Any recommendations?"

Hesitating, I type out a reply, unsure if I'm being too forward, before finally mustering the courage to hit send. "If you want to save a few dollars, you're welcome to stay in our guest room."

"If it's not too much trouble, I'd be extremely grateful. Thank you, Audrey."

His formal tone makes me wonder if Maggie had a hand in this exchange. It seems her matchmaking didn't cease when we left. Either way, it'll be nice to spend time with Jake while he's here.

"You're welcome, Jake," I reply, sending him our address.

Time has slipped away and I'm late for work. As I rush out the door, I can already sense the Redbull buzz wearing off. By lunchtime, I'm struggling to stay awake. I text Olivia to meet me for lunch at our usual place.

She replies instantly. "Already here. I've got news. Hurry up."

Rushing down the footpath, I cross the road, almost crashing into a cyclist, before arriving at the cafe. Olivia has two cups of coffee and two giant muffins at our usual table. She waves her hand over excitedly as she spots me entering.

"Hey, you," she says, pushing a cup and plate toward me. "My treat."

I take a large bite of the muffin, savouring the sweet cream cheese icing. Olivia leans in, her expression more animated than I've seen in a long time. "Oh my gosh, Audrey. You're never going to believe it. Guess who I have a meeting with next week?"

Her infectious excitement piques my interest, luring me into her story like a moth to a flame. The longer she waits, the more my anticipation intensifies. More intriguing yet, is the fact I know very few of Liv's colleagues, so I can't even think of who it might be.

"Jake." She finally blurts out.

I almost choke on my coffee. "Our Jake? Your Jake? Wait—what?!"

"Yes, that Jake!" she squeals, holding her coffee cup to her chest.

What a small world. And, of course, now they'll be working together. This just got a whole lot more complicated.