Page 59 of Vacation Friends

She didn’t ask. Maybe she didn’t want to know the truth. She wanted to believe she was special.

As they climbed onto the empty elevator, Garrick turned to her. Using his index finger, he directed her chin to face him. Their gazes locked.

“I know you’re about to be plunged into a situation where you may not feel comfortable. But I’ll be there right beside you the whole time. You’re going to be wonderful.”

“And if I’m not?” Her voice quivered, showing the insecurity she tried desperately to conceal.

“I don’t even see how that is possible.”

She licked her lips as a shiver of delight shimmied up her spine.

She hoped his words were true and that he wasn’t just sweet-talking her.

As she stared up at him, she thought she saw sincerity in his gaze.

The connection between them felt undeniable.

Like their souls were somehow linked.

She’d never met a man like him before. She so desperately wanted this to be real, for this fairy tale to never end.

His gaze moved from her eyes, down to her lips, down to her chest, and then back up to her lips again.

Her pulse quickened.

Cecilia thought he might kiss her.

Her eyes began to shut.

Instead of a kiss, Garrick gently smoothed his finger down her cheek, her chin, her neck. “You’re a lovely woman, Cecilia. A lovely, lovely woman.”

Her throat tightened.

Those were the words she wanted to hear.

The elevator dinged, and they stepped out.

Being with Garrick right now made her realize she could fall in love. However, she’d vowed when she came to the city that wouldn’t happen.

There were too many complications.

Mainly, her past.

Garrick thought he liked her now.

But what would happen when he learned the truth about her? A woman like Cecilia would never fit into his world.

Yet the heart wanted what the heart wanted.

What her heart wanted right now was Garrick . . . a man whose last name she didn’t even know.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FIVE

NOW, BENCHMARK SUNNY DAYS RETREAT, DAY 4

The next day, Maddie had been tasked with hosting a spa event for the members and/or spouses of upper management.

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