Chapter 78 Godmothers
Two days later the campus café smelled of burnt espresso and cinnamon rolls. Afternoon light slanted through the tall windows, table. Sophia sat across from me, picking at the edge of her croissant, while Clara leaned forward on her elbows, chin in her hands, eyes sparkling with mischief. Lectures had ended an hour ago. I’d barely made it through the last one, my mind kept drifting back to Alexander’s room two nights ago, to the weight of everything he’d told me.
Sophia sighed dramatically. “I swear, the next guy who messages me ‘wyd’ at 2 a.m. is getting blocked forever. Why do I always attract the walking red flags?”
Clara snorted. “Because you have a type, babe. Brooding, emotionally unavailable, and allergic to commitment. It’s practically a checklist.”
Sophia threw a napkin at her. “Shut up. At least I’m trying and not sleeping with anything that comes my way.”
“You’re trying to collect trauma points,” Clara corrected, grinning. Then her gaze slid to me. “Speaking of trying… you’re glowing, Mads. Like, properly glowing. Is the fake marriage with Ben finally turning real? Because if it is, I need details. Immediately.”
I smiled despite myself, small. Clara didn’t know. She thought the arrangement was still just paperwork. Only Sophia had the full picture. Clara nudged my foot under the table. “Come on. You’ve been living with the guy for months. If I were in your shoes I’d have climbed him like a tree and convinced him to make it official. Life’s too short for celibacy.”
Sophia shot her a look. “Clara.”
“What? I’m just saying.” Clara waggled her eyebrows at me. “You’re practically married, fake or not. Might as well enjoy the perks.”
I laughed, soft, a little breathless. “It’s not like that.”
Clara leaned closer, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Wait. Is your stepfather-in-law still single? Because damn. He’s too hot to be a stepdad. And single. That’s a crime.”
Sophia and I froze. My smile slipped. Sophia’s eyes flicked to mine, silently asking: You want to tell her?
I nodded once.
Clara was still talking. “I mean, the man looks like he stepped out of a cologne ad. If you’re not going to…”
“He’s single,” I said quietly, “and not single. At the same time.”
Clara blinked. “What does that even mean…”
Sophia cut in, voice calm. “Maddie and him are together.”
Clara’s mouth fell open. For two full seconds she didn’t move. Then her hands flew to her face and she half-shouted, half-whispered, “Oh my God, Maddie! Why am I just finding out? Girl!”
I winced, glancing around the café. A few heads turned, then went back to their laptops.
Clara grabbed my wrist, eyes wide and shining. “That’s a win. A massive win. For you, for me, for womankind. Our girl secured the main character glow-up and I’m here for it.”
Relief flooded me. No judgment. No disgust. Just pure, chaotic joy. I laughed real and the knot in my chest loosened a fraction.
Sophia leaned in, smirking. “Guess what else.”
Clara’s brows shot up. “They’re getting married?”
Sophia shook her head slowly. “No, we’re going to be godmothers soon.”
Clara went still. Her eyes dropped to my stomach. Then back to my face. Tears welled up fast. She stared for a long moment, processing.
Then she stood, chair scraping, walked around the table, and wrapped both arms around me from behind. She held on tight, cheek pressed to the top of my head. I felt her tremble, just a little, before she pulled back enough to look at me.
“Maddie,” she whispered, voice cracking. “I’m so happy for you.”
Tears stung my own eyes. “Thank you.”
She cupped my face with both hands, thumbs brushing away the ones that escaped. “Don’t worry. I’m volunteering as a nanny, no pay required. You know I love babies. And please tell me that you and Ben have dissolved this fake-marriage nonsense. You’ve secured the main deal.”
I laughed wetly. “We’re working on it.”
Clara’s grin turned wicked. “I can only imagine his face when he finds out you wouldn’t sleep with him but his stepdad.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes sparkling. “Oh my God, Maddie. You should be feeling on top of the world, hot man, rich, and I’m sure he treats you really good.”
Sophia snorted. “Okay, calm down. Or do you want to share him with Maddie?”
Clara wrinkled her nose. “Ew. No. Going back to my seat.” She dropped into her chair, still beaming. “I’m just happy for my girl. You can’t blame me.”
Sophia reached across and squeezed my hand. “I’m happy too.”
Clara tilted her head. “Now I know why you’ve been disappearing from lectures early and leaving campus like you’re late for something important. You’re hurrying home to your hot daddy.”
Sophia groaned. “Clara.”
“What? I’m right!” Clara asked innocently.
I felt my face heat. “Stop.”
Clara leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Okay but seriously. How hot is he in the other room? Scale of one to ten. Be honest.”
I buried my face in my hands. “No comment.”
Sophia laughed. “I’d also like to know, for science.”
“You girls are impossible,” I muttered through my fingers. “I’m not giving details. Stop.”
They were still giggling when my phone buzzed against the table.
I glanced down. Alexander.
“Hey. Hope you’re fine and you’ve eaten. Don’t stress.”
My lips curved before I could stop them. The message was simple, but it hit soft and warm in the center of my chest.
Clara noticed immediately. “Ooh. Is that him? What’d he say? Naughty pictures?”
Sophia smacked her arm. “Your brain is 90% filth.”
Clara clutched her chest. “I’m wounded.”
I turned the phone face-down, cheeks burning. “No pictures. Just checking in.”
They cooed in unison. I rolled my eyes, but the smile wouldn’t leave my face.
We stayed another half hour, talking about upcoming quiz sessions, Clara’s latest Tinder disaster, Sophia’s upcoming presentation. For the first time in days I felt my shoulders drop, the constant knot in my stomach loosen just a little.
Eventually Clara stretched. “I’ve got a shift at the library. Sophia, you coming?”
Sophia nodded, gathering her bag. “Yeah. Maddie, are you good to head back?”
“I’m fine. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
They hugged me, Clara extra tight, whispering “I’m so proud of you” before she let go and please take care of yourself. Then they left, arms linked, already arguing about something trivial.
I sat a minute longer, staring at Alexander’s message. My thumb hovered over the reply button, I dropped my phone in my handbag, deciding not to reply.
The café noise faded around me. Outside, the sun was setting, painting the sky in soft pinks and golds. I gathered my things, slung my bag over my shoulder, and walked toward the parking lot.