Page 83 of Love You
Darcy pulled into the Four Seasons entrance and got out to open the back of the van so the bellhop could retrieve Madison’s carry-on. She may have been in a rush to get to the hotel, but Madison stayed in the front seat with the door closed and continued to text.
Darcy went inside to make sure the reservation was in order and returned to the van where Madison was still typing away.
“Uh, everything is good to go,” Darcy said awkwardly as she got back in the driver’s seat.
Madison finally looked up. “Great.” She reached into her handbag and handed Darcy a ten-dollar bill.
“Uh . . . oh . . . no, I work for Garner Adventure.” Darcy didn’t want to embarrass Madison but a tip. Really?
“That’s okay,” Madison said. “I know everything is all-inclusive, I won’t tell if you don’t.” She sprang out of the van as graceful as a gazelle, leaving Darcy with the ten.
* * *
The next morning, Darcy tried to dress for anything Win might pull out of his bag of tricks. It wasn’t easy finding something in her wardrobe that could serve double duty. Professional while being durable enough to climb Half Dome or whatever hell Win had in store. Friday evening, she’d been in a nice linen suit and Madison had still mistaken her for a limo driver. So perhaps she should worry more about comfort and flexibility.
She finally settled on a Colt and Delaney active skort and a Garner Adventure T-shirt. Sporty, yet it still said she was part of the team. Not a chauffeur. Like with the first FlashTag group, they were supposed to take Madison to breakfast at the Morning Glory and then for a tour of GA. Whether that would actually happen with Win at the wheel was up for debate.
She kissed Nana good-bye and took off for the Four Seasons. Win was meeting them at the restaurant. Madison was in the lobby when she got there and came out as soon as she spotted the van. Darcy would give her props for punctuality. Unlike yesterday, she was dressed in yoga pants, a sports tank, and tennis shoes. Her hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail and she was sans makeup. And even without it, she was still one of the most gorgeous women Darcy had ever seen outside of a fashion magazine.
“Hey, you’re back,” Madison said, and climbed into the front seat.
“I’m back.” And I’m not the driver, she wanted to say, but decided it would be more prudent to let Madison save face by just pretending like there’d never been a misunderstanding. “Ready to go?”
“All set,” she said, and began texting on her phone just as she had the night before. Not until they parked in front of the diner did she put away her cell.
Darcy had barely locked up the van when Madison disappeared inside the restaurant. She rushed to catch up and pushed her way to the hostess stand to claim their table. Win as usual was late. Felix waved her over to the table she’d reserved.
“Glad you could make it,” he said being his usual surly self. Why he’d chosen to go into the hospitality industry was beyond Darcy. “Ricki is your server. I’ll send her over to get your drink orders.”
Darcy wanted a triple shot of espresso ASAP but decided to wait for Ricki, not wanting to upset Felix’s apple cart. Madison started to say something, clearly confounded that the hired help was sitting down to break bread with her, but Win dashed in and all eyes fell on him. A few female diners did a double take, which was nothing new. Darcy had observed women falling all over themselves at the sight of Win. She wanted to shout,Hands off, ladies, the man is mine.But she knew better. He was just on loan until he moved on to his next conquest.
“Win Garner, look at you,” Madison said as if they were long-lost buddies. “Last time I saw you, neither of us had showered in a week. You clean up well.”
“So do you.” He went in for a hug, which Darcy found peculiar since Win had claimed that he didn’t remember her from his Alaska trip. “Seriously, Madison, you look fantastic.”
Darcy suddenly felt like she was the odd person out here.
“You meet my partner in crime?” he asked after finally prying himself away from Madison and acknowledging Darcy with a nod.
Madison lightly touched Darcy’s arm and grimaced. “I thought she was the van driver. I’m sorry, Darcy.”
Darcy could feel her face burning. “No problem.”
Apparently, Madison’s apology was halfhearted because she immediately tuned out Darcy as if she were invisible and turned to Win. “We have so much catching up to do.”
Again, with the bosom buddy thing.Catch up on what?Darcy wanted to ask. It was a freaking group trip. Seven days out of a lifetime. What news could they possibly have to share with each other?
“Yeah, so FlashTag, huh?” Win scooted next to her in the booth, leaving Darcy in the single chair on the aisle.
“I think I was still at Instagram back then.”
“That’s right.” Win nodded his head and Darcy had to stifle an eye roll. She was pretty sure he was winging it. “And now you’re the CEO. Way to go.”
“What about you?” Madison turned in her seat so her head was only a few inches from Win’s.
“I’m in charge of corporate accounts at Garner Adventure. I hope we’ll be working together.” He turned on the signature Win smile and Darcy could’ve sworn she heard a chorus of sighs echo through the restaurant.
“Me too.” Madison put her hand on top of his.
