It was an obnoxiously loud knock on the front door that woke Madelyn up the next morning.

Rubbing her eyes as she puttered slowly towards the door, she muttered to herself, "Who the hell just shows up on Saturday morning? Losers, that's who….better not expect me to be nice."

It was basic safety protocol to look through the peep-hole before opening the door, especially as a young woman living alone. To hell with that, I'll throat-punch them so fast for waking me up that they won't even want to kidnap me.

Flinching from the sound of yet another knock when she was mildly hung over, Madelyn swung open the door and immediately rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Gremlin. Morning." Jamie said with a grin, spotting his disheveled sister.

Madelyn ignored him and headed towards the kitchen. "You better have breakfast and a really good excuse for knocking down my apartment like the Big Bad Wolf this early on a Saturday."

Jamie quirked a brow. "Didn't the Big Bad Wolf blow the house down?"

"Keep this up and see where it gets you," Madelyn replied, running a hand through her mangled hair, still forcing both eyes open.

Jamie laughed, finally handing over a coffee and breakfast sandwich as he threw his gym bag down on the couch. "Okay, eat up. I'm going on a lunch date today and I'm nervous as hell; have no clue what to wear."

Madelyn snorted, taking a bite of her sandwich. "Who the hell goes on lunch dates as a first date? And since when do you need my help choosing clothes to meet a woman?"

Had Madelyn been more awake, she would've realized it was probably Jamie's first date since he'd broken up with Sydney. Had Madelyn's brain been functioning at a normal level, she would've been more supportive. Jamie, Madelyn knew, was a sensitive soul. The fact that he was finally dating again was significant, but at the moment, the importance was completely lost on the hungover girl on the couch.

Ten minutes later, with the caffeine running through her veins, the proverbial light bulb went off above Madelyn's head. Wow, I'm a total bitch.

Turning to Jamie, she made sure they were making eye contact. "Jamie, it doesn't matter what you wear as long as you don't look like you rolled out of bed," she started. "The right girl will like you for who you are and what you're passionate about."

Unlike Sydney the Snake who made you feel like yesterday's trash for following a dream. I never liked her anyway.

"I'm hearing the dig at Sydney but I'll let it go," Jamie replied. "But you're right."

"You know," Madelyn posed with a smile, "This is the second time in 24 hours I've given relationship advice. I think this makes me some kind of love guru."

Jamie huffed. "Okay, Millionaire Matchmaker. When's the last time you were in a relationship?"

Cue the deep searing pain in my heart and the feeling of a slap across my cheek.

Jamie exhaled in regret, seeing the stricken look on Madelyn's face.

"Shit, Mads, I didn't mean anything by it," He said apologetically.

He's thinking I'm upset about Ashton, which I am. He just has no idea about Elliott.

"It's fine," Madelyn replied softly.

"Seriously kid, I just – ."

"Jamie," she cut him off, more sternly this time, "really, it's fine. I just don't want to talk about it. Now open up that gym bag and show me the outfit options."

He paused, but finally spoke. "You can talk to me about anything, you know that right?"

Yeah, sure, if I wanted to see you and Danny in jail for murder. You can't pull off an orange jumpsuit, big brother; it's just not your color.

Instead of voicing these thoughts, Madelyn just nodded, signifying the conversation was over.

XXXXXXX

Later that day, Madelyn sat on the couch in sweatpants, still working off the hangover from the night before. Bea's text came in just as she expected it to; her best friend knew Madelyn wanted all the details on her night with Justin.

Bea: I give the penthouse a strong 8.5/10.

Madelyn: What happened to the other 1.5?

B: He didn't have any champagne!

M: LOL the audacity!

B: Ugh seriously. Still a good time though. How hungover are you?

M: Well I was a total ass to Jamie this morning, but in my defense he knocked on my door wayyy to early

B: His fault 110%

M: It's true. He needed help for a lunch date.

B: Who the hell goes on a lunch date? Jamie knows better!

M: I thought so too.

M: Felt bad though; his first date since Sydney.

B: "That Bitch" you mean? Always thought we needed a more creative nickname lol

M: It did the trick though! He said he'd text me after to tell me how it went. Gave him some solid advice I think.

B: Been handing out a lot of that this weekend. New side gig?

M: If I made a Twitter RE relationships, would you still call me your best friend?

B: Absolutely not

B: Speaking of…were you going to tell me that Ashton was in the bar last night?

M: …..Nope? Also not going to tell you that I hid behind a huge guy to avoid him.

B: Madelyn Reagan you absolute wimp!

M: Spare me your theatrics. I was drunk!

B: You would've hidden anyway. We're going to have an actual conversation about this soon

M: Can't wait.