Chapter 16
“Wow,” Maddox murmured, as Casey’s band brought another final easy, swinging tune in their set to a close. Denise had come to a pause in her story as well.
She chuckled. “I’m not sure there’s anything wow about any of that.”
Maddox blinked. They weren’t sure if they’d meant the word as a response to the story or to the last twenty minutes in general.
They couldn’t believe Denise had agreed to dance with them in the first place, let alone keep dancing through multiple songs while she told them about the last few years of her life.
Tingles had teased the parts of Maddox’s body that had held and brushed against Denise’s softness.
It didn’t hurt matters that Denise looked gorgeous tonight.
They’d had to stop themself from blurting out that observation as soon as they’d seen her seated at the table.
The top of her dress hugged her shoulders and generous breasts, dipping to show a glimpse of cleavage.
Then the skirt flared out, allowing her easy, graceful movement.
On top of that, she radiated warmth, and when she’d talked about the plans for her future nonprofit, she’d practically been glowing.
“Let’s see. In the last seven years, you divorced an asshole, finished your college degree, got an MBA, went to work, and started plans for your own nonprofit.
” Maddox shrugged and grinned down at Denise.
The two of them had stopped moving when the music had ended, but they were still standing close. “Sounds pretty wow to me.”
A lovely rose flush dusted Denise’s cheeks, and she glanced away. “The Maddox Daniels charm?”
“I’m serious.” Maddox reluctantly backed away and gestured to allow Denise to walk ahead of them back to their table.
The Maddox Daniels charm. Did Denise think Maddox was playing a role tonight?
Trying to win her over to protect the interests of the resort?
Was she right to think that? Maddox frowned.
Wasn’t that what they’d meant to do at one point?
But that was before they’d known who Denise was.
Things were different now. Weren’t they?
Once they were seated, Denise said, “Thank you for the dance. I haven’t done that in a while.”
“I should be the one thanking you.”
Denise’s smile faltered. “You know, you can relax now, Maddox. I promise the charm really isn’t necessary.”
“What do you mean?” Maddox swallowed. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“No! Absolutely not,” Denise answered in a rush, startling Maddox as she rested her hand on their arm. “I only meant that…well, I hope you believe I don’t want to make any more trouble for you or the resort. I’ll be glad to work with you for the event, if you’re still willing.”
Maddox beamed. “I’ll be happy to!”
“Good. Thank you.” Denise smiled faintly. “Then, since that’s settled, there’s no need to be so ingratiating. We can be honest moving forward.”
“I’m not being ingratiating when I say I’m impressed with the story you shared with me, Denise,” Maddox said, leaning forward so she’d be able to see their sincerity.
When Denise didn’t respond right away, Maddox pressed forward. “But, since we’re being honest, why don’t you tell me why you thought I was being insincere?”
“Insincere is an ugly word. It doesn’t suit you,” Denise countered.
“Let’s just say you were overly kind. You and I both know how the world works, Maddox.
Everything I’ve accomplished these past seven years is because I come from a wealthy family: finishing my education, going to work at our deeply nepotistic company, even making contacts I’ll need to get my nonprofit running.
I haven’t exactly pulled myself up by my bootstraps. ”
“Hmm,” Maddox mused as they studied Denise.
There was acute awareness, maybe even disdain in her tone when she talked about her privilege.
But whatever her feelings about her upbringing, it hadn’t stopped her from making the most of it.
“Now that we’re getting down to it, though, I’m not sure it’s the accomplishments that impress me the most. I think it’s more that I have a lot of respect for people who take a few tries to figure out who they are and what they want in life. ”
They leaned back in their chair and folded their arms. “I mean, you were married for how long?”
“Ten years,” Denise answered, her lips pressing into a flat line.
“Right. Ten years. And you ended up starting all over again seven years ago. That takes guts.”
“Yes, but my point is, I couldn’t have done that without my family resources. I needed help.”
Maddox chuckled. “I don’t think any of us ever get far in life without help.”
“Didn’t you?” This time, Denise was the one to lean closer.
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Seven years ago, you were on the housekeeping staff at a hotel…until my cousin got you fired,” she grimaced before continuing, “And now you’re a manager at Middle Waters. You practically run the place.”
Maddox scoffed. “That only proves my point. I came here because I needed a place to stay and my grandmother wanted me to. She and Oliver were friends, so he gave me the job.”
Denise smiled. “A job is one thing, Maddox. But you do so much around there. Oliver clearly trusts you a great deal.”
Maddox’s face warmed. “He does, and I do my best to honor that.”
“I can tell you’re great at what you do,” Denise said. “You’ll be a valuable addition wherever you end up…even in a giant commercial tourist trap.”
Hearing their angry words regurgitated made Maddox cringe. “Yeah, I’m sorry again about what I said.”
“It’s okay. I’m only teasing,” Denise assured them with a smirk.
Maddox laughed, hardly believing they’d gotten to a point tonight where Denise Farrington was actually teasing them.
Maybe Denise was thinking about the change too because once they were both quiet, her expression shifted into something open and a little vulnerable. “So… are we okay now?”
The smile remained on Maddox’s lips. Even now that she wasn’t being cold or pushy, Denise Farrington was an unusual woman. She’d really gone out of her way to make peace with them, and she seemed invested in Maddox’s good opinion, even though she absolutely didn’t need it.
“Yeah, we’re okay.” They gestured at the table and the area in the center of the room where they’d danced. “Thank you for all of this.”