Page 147 of Vacation Friends

“But I should have known better. She wanted to get back together. I didn’t know that until a few days into the trip. I think she was still determined to find a way to get back with me. Coming was a mistake . . . except I got to meet you.”

Her heart lurched into her throat.

She was grateful they’d met also.

But this didn’t seem like the time to tell him that, not when there were so many other things to talk about.

“Brody . . . she mentioned something about killing her ex.”

“What?” His eyes widened.

Maddie nodded. “She said she’d killed four people. Jared. Logan. Danny. And Josh’s father. Who also happened to be her own father.”

He ran a hand over his face. “I knew she was off-balance, but I didn’t realize she was that off-balance. I can’t believe that.”

“At least she’s been arrested. I have a feeling she’ll be going away for a long while.”

“I have a feeling she will be too.” Detective Kalani appeared. “I’m glad you’re safe, Ms. Waters.”

“I’m glad I am to.” She turned toward him, but still held on to Brody’s hand. “It was iffy there for a while.”

“Our island is usually peaceful. I hope you’ll give it another chance.”

She considered his words a minute. “I’d like to give it another chance sometime. Just not at a Sunny Days retreat.”

She and Brody exchanged a look. They still had a lot to talk about. Maddie had more questions for him.

But there would be time for questions later.

For now, she needed to process everything that had happened.

And maybe there would be an update on Josh soon.

CHAPTER

SIXTY-SEVEN

ONE YEAR LATER

Benchmark was not having their retreat in Kauai this year.

But Maddie had returned.

Things in one year could change so much. Coming here felt cathartic.

She checked herself one more time in the mirror. The lovely peacock-blue sundress she wore fit her in all the right places. She smoothed her hand down the skirt before giving herself an approving nod in the mirror.

Then she left her room and started outside for the beach. A rainstorm had just passed through a few minutes ago, but now the sun peeked out.

All too well, she recalled being here a year ago and all the horrible things that had happened.

She’d tried to put most of those behind her.

Just as she’d wanted to do, she quit her job with the charity and went back to being an investigator with social services. She’d decided not to stay in New York, but she hadn’t moved quite yet. She was still trying to figure out where exactly she wanted to put down roots.

She was open to almost anywhere—other than the big city.

Josh still hadn’t been found, a fact that bothered her. It meant she had no closure.

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