Chapter 40
Denise strolled across the resort courtyard, taking her time to enjoy the late morning air. An overnight rain had cooled everything down even more, and now the surrounding pine trees smelled fresh and damp.
Oliver had texted her half an hour ago asking to meet to discuss the offer.
She could tell from his tone that he was ready to move ahead, and the thought brought her a surprising level of satisfaction.
Some part of her had been expecting a sense of dread or foreboding to be at the cusp of a multi-year project at Farrington Parks, but it hadn’t materialized yet.
After all, she couldn’t be upset about the outcome of the negotiations when she was looking forward to seeing and even having influence on how the new park would benefit the community.
And there was no point being dishonest with herself: Maddox’s happiness with the plan also went a long way in boosting her own feelings about it. Amidst all the heavier conversations the two of them had shared the past few days, they’d also discussed the future of the resort and the new park.
But beyond all that, Denise was still trying to sit with the startling realization that she was simply enjoying her work and was enthusiastic about seeing a project she had helped plan from the outset come to fruition.
As she climbed the steps to the porch of the Sycamore Lodge, she laughed to herself. At some point, she would have to admit that to her dad. He would probably be unbearably smug, but she’d deal with it as best she could.
Just as she was reaching for the doors of the entrance, her phone started buzzing in the pocket of her blazer.
Frowning, she pulled it out and checked the screen.
She smirked when she saw “Dad” on the screen.
Did he have some kind of fatherly sixth sense when he was on the verge of getting a good, I told you so in?
“Hey, Dad. I was just thinking about you. But I only have a couple of minutes. I’m on my way to meet with Oliver. I think we’re going to close the deal this morning.”
Instead of the hearty, if overbearing reply she was expecting, her dad’s voice was uncharacteristically sober. “Denise, we need to talk.”
“Uh, okay. That sounds serious. Can it wait until after the meeting?”
“Absolutely not,” he answered in a clipped tone. “Most likely we will need to call the deal off.”
Her stomach dropped to the ground. “What are you talking about? Why?”
He didn’t say anything for a minute, during which time her insides filled with dread. She backed away from the entrance and walked around the porch until she found a wooden bench to sit on.
“I have to ask something, and I need you to be truthful with me,” he said.
Denise opened her mouth to ask when she’d ever been untruthful with him, but this didn’t feel like the time for that, so she only said, “Okay.”
“Are you having an affair with a woman on the staff at Middle Waters?”
Her entire body gave a jolt. Shit. With everything that had been happening, she hadn’t taken the time to consider how or when she would explain her relationship with Maddox to her dad.
She was counting on having more time. Taking a deep breath, she answered.
“They’re actually nonbinary. But they’re the events manager here and, yes, we have been seeing each other. It’s still new right now, though.”
“Goddammit, Denise!” he snarled, making her swallow. In all the years she’d known him, he had hardly ever sworn, and he discouraged her from it too. It didn’t fit with the wholesome Farrington brand. Even more rare were the times he’d actually shouted at her.
“Dad, if this is about them being nonbinary, you should know—”
“I don’t care if they’re from Jupiter,” he seethed. “It’s completely unprofessional, and it could seriously damage our reputation.”
She blew out a breath and gritted her teeth. Of course it would be about the business. It was the first time he was learning about her dating someone other than a cis man, and all he cared about was how it would impact the company.
“How did you even find out?”
“From Darby. Your little friend sent her a note demanding ten thousand dollars or they’ll go to the local media about the fling, claiming it was actually sexual harassment.”
Denise jumped to her feet. “That’s not what happened!”
“Nothing should have happened! An affair with a younger employee of the hotel your company is buying? What in God’s name were you thinking, Denise? This is exactly why you don’t pull crap like this. It makes it so easy for them to exploit you.”
“But, Dad, Maddox didn’t…they wouldn’t do something like that. Ever! Darby is lying. You know what she’s like as well as I do!”
Her dad’s scoff rustled through the phone like paper ripping. “Yeah, I do know, actually. Which is why I thought and hoped the entire thing was some bizarre story she’d made up. But you already confirmed most of it.”
“Okay, right,” Denise muttered with a wince. “I admitted there’s something going on, but that’s a far cry from this blackmail BS. You have to believe me. Maddox is the most honest, kindest—”
“I don’t want to hear about it, Denise!” her dad roared. “You need to get away from there as soon as possible and come home. I want to see you in my office tomorrow at noon.”
“Dad, please. I can’t just walk away from this. I’ve made Oliver an offer. He doesn’t deserve this.”
“You should have thought of that before you got into this mess. Now get yourself home!”
Denise’s blood pressure spiked. “You can’t—”
Her dad cut her off by ending the call. She lowered her arm and stared at the blank screen.
“Dammit, dammit, dammit,” she groaned.
How the hell could this have happened?
It didn’t surprise her in the least that Darby was making up lies to sabotage this deal.
She’d been so angry about not being the one to take the lead on it, that Denise probably should have expected her to do something.
But God, why did she have to stoop this low?
Had she been spying on Denise? How else could she have found out?
Denise’s mind spun desperately. She and Maddox hadn’t technically even been doing anything until the last week.
Except for that one night when she visited the first time.
Had she found out then? Had she secretly come out here or asked around with the staff?
The thought made her shudder. She couldn’t believe anyone at Middle Waters would carry tales like that.
What about Jeremy? She’d never confirmed it, but he’d clearly had suspicions about her connection with Maddox. Denise didn’t want to think he’d maliciously share information with Darby, but he could have let something slip and it got back to her.
Denise paced in front of the bench a moment longer. She had to get to the bottom of this. She had to! If someone besides Darby was involved, Denise had to find them and make them tell the truth that there had been no blackmail.
“Hey, there you are. Oliver was looking for you.” Maddox’s upbeat voice behind her made Denise go cold.
She turned to face them, and their smile faded immediately. “Denise? What’s wrong?”
Her heart ached at the affectionate concern in their eyes. Her sweet and gentle Maddox. God, how could Darby make up such a terrible lie about them?
Denise’s throat closed up. There’s no way she would repeat the hurtful story to Maddox. She looked away. “I-I have to get home right away. Something has come up.”
“What do you mean? Is something wrong with your dad?” Maddox stepped closer and put their hand on her arm. She didn’t mean to, but she flinched.
Maddox paled and immediately dropped their hand. “Sorry. I guess I should be more careful when we’re out in the open like this.”
Nausea swelled in Denise’s gut. She wanted to argue that they didn’t need to worry about that, but she couldn’t.
Someone had already seen or guessed too much, and now everything was a mess.
Denise had let everything become a mess.
And now she couldn’t bring herself to look Maddox in the face any longer.
“There’s nothing wrong with my dad, but there is a problem.” She turned away and hurried toward the door. “I need to explain to Oliver and then get on the road right away.”
“Denise, wait!”
She shook her head, tears burning in the corners of her eyes at the pain in Maddox’s voice. They would be hurting even more once they found out how much Denise was letting them down. “I can’t right now, Maddox. I have to go.”
She ripped open the doors to the entrance and rushed inside before Maddox could say anymore.