Chapter 151

Madison

The shrill ring of my phone cut through my morning routine like a chainsaw. I glanced at the screen while struggling to zip up my pencil skirt and groaned. Jackson.

My thumb hovered over the decline button. I could always claim I was in the shower or cooking. But something about ignoring him felt unnecessarily mean. With a sigh that carried the weight of social obligation, I accepted the call.

“Hello?” I wedged the phone between my ear and shoulder while searching for my other heel.

“Good morning, Maddie!” Jackson’s voice was irritatingly chipper for 7:30 AM. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, just getting ready for work,” I said, triumphantly fishing out the missing shoe.

“Perfect timing then. I’m heading to my office downtown and have to pass right by Knight Industries. Thought I could swing by and give you a ride.”

I rolled my eyes at my reflection in the mirror. Of course, he did.

“Oh, that’s so nice of you,” I said, inj