Chapter 8

CHAPTER

EIGHT

Maddie wasn't ready to let the subject drop yet. "You don't look fine."

Josh waved her off, a flicker of annoyance in his gaze. "It's nothing."

Maddie wondered if his bad mood had something to do with Derek Bonner.

Josh had fired Derek two weeks ago, and the man had gone ballistic. He'd made threats and caused a scene, so much so that security had to escort him out of the building.

Josh didn't talk about it a lot, but Maddie knew the incident bothered him.

Unhinged former employees had a way of doing that.

She'd overheard a conversation between Josh and Benchmark's Vice President of Technology, William Wright, last week. Josh had said something about proprietary information Derek had. He was worried the man might do something foolish with it.

The company could sue Derek if he did. But by then it would be too late. The information would already be out there.

Plus, a new startup company called Blue Engineering had burst onto the tech scene in the past several months. Josh was worried about the hoopla surrounding them. Worried how their new innovations might ultimately affect Benchmark.

Maddie didn't envy him his job. The stress from it consumed him at times.

She studied his tight, serious expression as they walked.

He was distracted by something internal—most likely, thoughts about his job.

As he always was.

This wasn't the future Maddie saw for herself.

But right now, they had a dinner to attend.

Maybe meeting with Adrienne, Brody, Bree, and Fowler was just what she needed.

All the dinner guests were waiting for Maddie and Josh at Terrapin when they arrived.

They sat at a table on a private terrace overlooking the ocean. A lush waterfall cascaded from manmade rocks on one side, and the hotel's swimming pools—lit a gentle turquoise— glimmered on the other.

The restaurant truly was stunning, and Maddie had heard the food was even better.

Adrienne had worn a black dress—a bodycon—and Brody donned a blue Hawaiian shirt with rows of pink and green surfboards across it.

Bree had some type of breezy beige linen dress on, and Fowler wore khaki shorts that seemed too tight and too short.

Both were stunning couples.

For some reason, Maddie felt a ripple of nerves as she sat down across from the group.

"I'm so glad you all could make it," she murmured.

"We're honored that you invited us." Adrienne grinned, showing a row of shiny white teeth. The fact they weren't all perfectly straight seemed to indicate she hadn't come from money either. "Thank you."

"It's the least I could do." Josh flicked his hand at the menu. "Please, choose anything you'd like to eat. It's my treat."

He said the words dismissively, as if he were the king doing a favor for his underlings.

Maddie resisted an eye roll. Typical Josh.

They all ordered and made chitchat, mostly about the resort, until their food was served. She discovered that Fowler worked in finance for the company and that Bree worked cybersecurity for a major hotel chain. This was the first time all of them had been to Hawaii.

Maddie was ready to bypass the generic talk, however, and chat about something deeper.

There was nothing she hated more than surface-level conversations.

She took a bite of her macadamia-crusted mahi—which tasted like a flavor explosion on her tongue. No wonder this restaurant was booked for months in advance. Between the expertly prepared food and the view, it was perfect.

"So, where are you all from?" Maddie started at a lull in the conversation.

"Puerto Rico," Bree said. "But I moved to Florida when I was only three."

"Detroit," Fowler said.

"I'm from Georgia," Adrienne said. "Brody is from Texas."

"I'm actually from Nebraska," Maddie said. "It gets a bad rep for being boring, but I think the heartland is a wonderful place."

Brody nodded slowly. "I agree. There's no place quite like it."

"You ask me, I can't imagine why anyone would want to live anywhere besides the Big Apple," Josh piped in. "I was raised there, and I don't think it gets any better."

Another reason they shouldn't get married, Maddie mused. "There's something about wide open spaces that makes me feel like I can breathe."

"Maybe you two can have a summer home in the Midwest after you're married then," Bree suggested.

"Maybe." The idea didn't seem that bad to Maddie. Better the Midwest than the Big Apple. City life didn't fit her personality.

"I wouldn't count on it." Josh paused with his fork, laden with tuna, in mid-air. "Real estate should be an investment, and I don't see that location as being a wise place to spend a lot of money. People are moving away from those areas, which will make real estate there less valuable."

Maddie resisted an eye roll. That was what everything boiled down to for Josh, wasn't it? Money.

Some things were more important than a financial portfolio.

Maddie glanced at Adrienne and saw the woman's face had gone pale.

Maddie followed her friend's gaze in time to see someone disappear around the corner.

She looked back at Adrienne, curiosity pulsing inside her. "Everything okay?"

Brody glanced at Adrienne and then rushed to his feet. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."

Maddie narrowed her eyes.

Based on the tension in the air, Adrienne had seen something that spooked her.

It appeared danger was waiting around every turn here at this retreat.

And today was only the second day.