Page 44 of Vacation Friends

Maddie, on the other hand, looked as if she’d just been rescued from underneath rubble after an earthquake. She didn’t usually care about appearances, but her looks right now would draw entirely too much attention.

Bree peered at her with concern. “Are you okay? We’ve been worried.”

“I’m fine.” Maddie waved a hand in the air, trying to make it seem like the accident hadn’t been a big deal. “Just embarrassed.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Fowler frowned and pushed his glasses up on his nose. “That’s terrible what happened to your side-by-side.”

It was . . . but equally as terrible was the fact that her fiancé had bailed and left her to fend for herself.

Maddie kept those words silent.

“I should have reacted quicker.” She shook her head, realizing how lame her words sounded. She was just making excuses for Josh, and she hated herself for it.

Fowler stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Look, I’d want to know this if I were in your shoes.”

“Know what?” A wrinkle formed between her eyes.

Fowler shifted. “There’s a video of the incident going around.”

“What?” Maddie’s voice rose, and she glanced around to make sure no one had heard her. She glanced at Bree for confirmation, and her friend nodded.

“Who took a video?” she whispered.

“I heard it was that woman Logan—the pretty blonde,” Bree said.

“Logan?” Maddie repeated. “But in order for someone to take a video of that, they’d almost have to know what was going to happen in advance.”

As she said the words, sick realization pooled in her stomach.

Had Logan known? Had she done this in order to have Josh for herself?

Someone could have slashed the tire, though their guide gave no indication of that. He seemed to think they’d brushed against a sharp rock or something.

“She said she was filming the excursion to use in a promotional video and just happened to have her camera on Record when your tire popped and you started careening down the hill,” Bree said.

“Is she showing it to people?” Please say no . . .

Bree frowned, and Maddie had her answer.

“Thanks for letting me know.” Maddie let out a long breath.

She’d have to think more about that later. She was certain Josh would be furious if he found out one of his employees was showing people a video of what he’d done. It would make him look bad.

“Anyway,” Maddie murmured. “To change the subject . . . are you guys going to be at the luau tonight?”

“Of course.” Bree perked up. “We wouldn’t miss it.”

“I’m going to save seats for everyone, okay?” Maddie said. “You two—along with Adrienne and Brody—are the only ones who seem normal at this whole event, and I’m going to lose my mind if I have to plaster on a fake smile very much longer.”

“We would absolutely love to sit with you,” Bree said.

“Perfect.”

When she looked up and saw Detective Kalani walking into the resort, she knew her injuries and that video were the least of her problems.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

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