Chapter 26
Maddox re-listened to Oliver’s voice message as they put on their blazer and attempted to tame their hair.
He’d taken to sending directions and notes to Maddox in audio format instead of texts a few years back, when he’d noticed they retained the information better that way.
It was one of the countless little ways he showed them consideration as a friend and boss…
which was also why thoughts of working somewhere else still triggered a worrying feeling in Maddox’s stomach.
And their task this afternoon wouldn't do much to ease that worry.
Oliver’s pleasantly gravelly voice trickled through their phone speaker:
Maddox, hi. I’m so sorry for the short notice, but my rheumatologist appointment got moved up, and I’m worried I won’t be there to greet the Farrington people when they arrive.
They should be here around two. Can you please just make sure they get checked in and feel at home until I get there?
You can probably answer almost any questions they might have in the meantime as well as I could.
I know it won’t be an issue for you. Denise Farrington had nothing but wonderful things to say about you when she was here. I’ve gotta go now. Thank you!
Maddox’s face heated at the mention of Denise’s name just like it had when they’d first listened to the message.
For what felt like the hundredth time in a matter of days, their thoughts drifted to Denise, and they wondered what she was doing.
How much progress had she made on her nonprofit plans?
How had it felt to leave the family business behind finally?
Did she ever think about Maddox? They couldn’t be the only one who thought the night they’d shared was too special to forget, could they?
A rhythmic beep from Maddox’s phone pulled them out of their reverie with the reminder that it was almost two and they needed to be ready to greet whoever arrived to represent Farrington Parks.
As they finished their preparation and headed to the lobby, unease about what the pending visit and negotiations would mean for Middle Waters mingled with curiosity about the people they were about to meet.
Was the potential buyout important enough for Farrington himself to show up?
During her time at the resort, Denise had alluded to his being unable to travel for the conference because of an injury, but was he recovered now?
If not, he would likely send senior members of his company in his stead.
Maddox had barely made it to the lobby when the front doors swished open and a man in his late thirties with short blond hair and dressed in a smart, fitted burgundy suit entered.
Taking a gamble that he was the person they were expecting, Maddox approached. “Good afternoon and welcome to Middle Waters Resort! I’m Maddox Daniels, the events manager here.”
The man smiled warmly. “Hi, Maddox. My name’s Jeremy Schumacher. I’m with Farrington Parks. My colleague had to make a call, but she’ll be joining us shortly.”
They shook hands. “We were expecting you, Mr. Schumacher. Once—”
“Jeremy, please,” he interrupted.
“Jeremy,” Maddox amended with a smile before continuing. “Once your colleague is in here, we can move on with getting you both checked-in and settled.”
The front doors opened again with a whoosh, and Denise Farrington stood in the doorway, outlined by the afternoon sunlight. Maddox went still as they stared, and everything inside them came alive, their heart thumping against their ribs as if it was trying to catapult out of their body.
Denise’s eyes immediately locked with Maddox’s. She swallowed visibly and took a few halting steps forward.
Damn, she looked good. Her hair was swept up with just a few strands framing her face, and she wore an olive-green business suit. Beneath the blazer was a beige shell with a V-shaped neckline that showed off some of that creamy skin Maddox had explored so thoroughly that night.
The corners of Maddox’s mouth lifted in a smile they couldn’t have contained if they’d tried. “Well, this is a surprise.”
Denise’s face colored, and she looked away, redirecting her focus to her coworker. “Jeremy, could you get us checked in, please?”
“Sure thing!” He brushed a light hand over Denise’s sleeve.
Maddox gestured toward the desk. “Bobbette can help you.”
Bobbette stood and smiled at Jeremy before nodding to Denise. “It’s good to see you again, Ms. Farrington.”
“It really is,” Maddox murmured.
Denise’s lips pursed, and she finally looked at Maddox again. In a low but serious tone, she asked, “Why isn’t Oliver here?”
Maddox took a startled step back. There was little warmth in Denise’s eyes as she awaited their answer.
“He’s at an appointment,” Maddox said, studying Denise’s grim expression. “He won’t be long now, I’m sure. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?”
Denise’s cheeks grew more flushed. She took another step toward Maddox and lowered her voice even more. “Can we talk outside for a minute?”
“Yeah, of course.” Maddox’s nerves jangled as they motioned for Denise to walk ahead of them to the door. As they followed, they weren’t too distracted by their growing anxiety to notice the elegant sway of her hips as she strode out the door.
They noticed the tension in her shoulders too.
Once the two of them were outside, Denise continued following the porch that wrapped around the Sycamore Lodge until they were a good distance from the entrance.
Maddox came to a halt when Denise turned to face them.
Her expression was still grave, but that sharpness that had been there a moment earlier, reminding Maddox all too much of how she’d been when she’d arrived at the resort last time, had faded.
Denise bit her lip, met Maddox’s eyes again and then looked at the seating area on the porch. “Can we sit?”
When Denise sat on the wicker sofa, Maddox chose the chair next to it, sensing the arrangement would make her more comfortable than if they’d sat right next to her.
They settled into their seats in tense silence broken only by the chirping of distant birds. When Denise still had said nothing after a couple of minutes, Maddox spoke up. “So, your father convinced you to stick around and handle the buyout?”
For some reason, the question made Denise’s fair complexion get even redder. She nodded once. “It was a mutual decision. For the good of the business.”
“I see,” Maddox answered, even though they didn’t really see. The Denise of just a little while ago didn’t seem overly concerned with the good of her dad’s business. Then again, she also wasn’t this terse or reserved with her feelings about the company either.
“Look, Maddox,” Denise began, scooting to the edge of the wicker sofa. “What happened between us before was…nice.”
“Nice?” Maddox narrowed their eyes, but Denise couldn’t see that because she wasn’t looking in their direction.
“Yeah, you know what I mean.” She started fidgeting with a loose thread on her slacks.
“I really appreciate your helping me blow off steam after the stress of the conference. But I think we both know it’s best if all of that stays in the past. Now that I’m back here for business, I wouldn’t want it to interfere with our appropriate work roles. You understand, right?”
Finally, Denise looked directly at Maddox, but her gaze barely lingered for a second before she glanced away again. It left them feeling colder than the afternoon breeze fanning over the porch. Their skin fairly prickled with the iciness Denise’s words had created.
Nice
Helping me blow off steam
Appropriate work roles
Work roles
Because at the end of the day, that’s what it all came down to, right?
Maddox had done what they’d always done with a willing guest: showed Denise a good time, a little stress relief, and a memorable stay.
There was no point in acting like they had any special connection to Denise, now that she was back.
Not when Maddox had clearly served their purpose, and she wanted them to know that here at the start.
Before they could get any wild ideas and interfere with the business at hand.
When Maddox didn’t answer, Denise regarded them again. This time, she kept her eyes focused on theirs. Maddox swallowed, momentarily struck all over again by the magnetism of those hazel eyes. A strange, gaping void stretched in the pit of their stomach.
This time, Maddox was the one to look away first.
After one more beat of silence, they straightened in their seat. “Yes, I understand completely. And while I’m glad I could be of service when you were here before, the last thing I’d want to do is get in your way this time. In fact, I probably shouldn’t be taking up your time now.”
They stood, annoyed by the slight shakiness in their legs but determined to keep it from showing. “I’ll let you get back to the business that brought you here. I’m sure Bobbette has you both checked in by now. She'll let you know as soon as Oliver gets back.”
Maddox nodded to Denise and turned to go.
Denise shot to her feet. “Maddox…”
They paused and swiveled around. “Yes?”
Denise bit her lip. Dammit. Why does she have to look so hot when she does that?
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Thank you.”
Maddox’s molars ground together, but they nodded again and walked away.