Page 92 of Vacation Friends

“You’re a suspect in Jared’s death?” It wasn’t as much of a question as it was an accusation.

The blood drained from her face. Maddie had considered telling him before he found out another way. But she’d decided not to.

Was it a mistake? Maddie still wasn’t sure.

“I haven’t been officially charged with anything.” But now that Maddie mentioned it, she hadn’t seen Kalani today.

That was a new record since the detective had been stopping by nearly every day. She fully expected him to announce her guilt on any one of those visits.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Accusation shot like fire from Josh’s gaze.

Like he had any right to be upset with her after what he’d done.

But she would let this play out another moment before she confronted him.

She wanted to hear what he had to say.

Then Maddie would give Josh an earful of her own.

CHAPTER

FORTY-ONE

Maddie’s voice was calm and even as she said, “I didn’t say anything because it didn’t seem important and because you seemed to have other things on your mind. I didn’t want to add more stress.”

“You should have told me, Madison.” Josh’s nostrils flared. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me to find out from my subordinates?”

“I didn’t realize anyone else even knew.” The words were true. To her knowledge, the only other people who knew were Adrienne and Brody. Bree and Fowler had already left that night when Kalani spoke with Maddie for the first time.

“You had to know news like this would spread like wildfire!” His voice rose with every word.

“I didn’t do anything to Jared. You know that.”

“It doesn’t matter what I know.” Josh narrowed his eyes. “What matters is what other people think.” He jammed his index finger into the air to emphasize his last three words.

Maddie had been trying to remain calm. But all that resolve seemed to disappear like a rainbow as storm clouds rolled in. “I thought the most important thing for you would be me, not your reputation and how this would make you look. I was only trying to watch out for you when I didn’t tell you.”

“I’ve told you everything that’s involved here!” He stared at her, his eyes burning holes through her. “It’s almost like you want to ruin this retreat.”

Her mouth dropped open. “I want to ruin your retreat? Why would I want to do that? I didn’t even want to be here, but you talked me into coming. All so it would look good for you and increase your prospects for becoming CEO.”

“When you tried to break things off with me, I explained I was going through a rough patch. I thought you understood and cared about me enough to give us another chance. I guess I was wrong.”

“And I thought you cared about me enough to remain faithful. But I guess I was wrong.”

Josh froze. Then, at once, the dam broke.

“What?” His hands flew in the air. “What does that even mean?”

He wasn’t going to change her mind that easily. Maddie could spot gaslighting a mile away.

“It means I know about all your extra little rendezvous,” she told him. “I’m not stupid!”

Josh went still and stared at her, unblinking. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Stop lying. Let me start with you and Logan.”

His eyes turned colder. “What about her?”

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