Page 108 of Vacation Friends

At the thought, she looked up at the vents.

Her eyes stopped at one. Something on the cover appeared out of place.

She squinted, unsure if she was seeing things correctly.

Grabbing a wooden chair from the table, she walked toward the grate. She stood, found her balance, and then used her fingernails to pry the clasp up.

The metal grate opened.

Her blood grew cold at what she saw inside.

A small camera had been mounted to the edge.

Someone had placed a camera in her room?

Someone had been watching her.

Maybe even recording her.

Before Maddie could stop it, nausea rose in her.

She leaned over and threw up on the carpeted floor.

CHAPTER

FORTY-NINE

THEN

Another month had passed. Another month with more broken promises.

Cecilia hated it.

Yet another part of her understood.

Garrick’s job was demanding. She couldn’t fault him for that. He didn’t get to the position he was in in life by being lazy.

He did what was demanded of him. He’d told Cecilia that was why he hadn’t gotten married yet—because most women didn’t understand the sacrifices his job required.

Cecilia wanted to be different. She wanted to be one of the women who did understand. Who supported him. Who gave him a soft place to fall.

Every giant needed someone to care and nurture them behind the scenes.

She thought about that concept a lot, about how she wanted to be that person.

But she had to admit that all the cancellations were getting old.

She felt as if her entire social life depended on whether or not Garrick carried through with his plans with her.

As she leaned back onto the ratty couch in her living room, she touched the necklace at her throat. At least she had this. Garrick always looked out for her.

She jerked forward as an idea hit her.

Garrick was working late tonight. Maybe she could bring him his favorite chocolate chip cookie from the bakery down the street.

She’d never been into his office before. But he’d never told her not to come.

Maybe if he saw her, it would be the pick-me-up he needed. He’d sounded so stressed lately.

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