Chapter One
Maddie
I’m unpacking my suitcase when it tumbles out—Todd’s notepad containing scheduled plans for our trip. I snatch it up and toss it across the spacious, primly decorated room. It slams into the wall and tumbles into the trash can.
Satisfaction doesn’t fill me as I expect. Instead, a bone-deep weariness forces me to drop onto the fluffy bed and bury my face in my hands.
“You’re supposed to be having fun, Maddie.” I run shaky fingers through my thick brown waves.
Massaging my scalp always helps me feel better but right now, it just reminds me that it used to be Todd’s job until he fucked another woman.
I gulp back a tear and release a slow breath. Two weeks have passed since I caught them together. I should be getting over it by now, but it still stings. Five years down the drain. Just like that. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so lost if our breakup didn’t coincide with losing my job. Yep, both on the same day.
Now, at 29, I have no love life. No job. And I’m on vacation in Magic Island knowing that when I get back to the city, I’ve got lots of work to do. Where’s the fun in that?
My phone rings and I grab it from my purse. It’s Nat, my BFF, who gladly took Todd’s spot as my plus-one on this trip.
“Where are you?” The background is filled with cheering.
Nat is already at the garden party we spotted on our way in. It’s open to everyone and she swore she’d get down there once we checked into the resort hotel.
She’s fast.
“I’m just setting aside my stuff.”
“Mads, what are you doing? Did you come all the way to THE Magic Island to clean up? You’ll fix your clothes whenever. Come down and enjoy the party, dude.”
“But—”
“No excuses. You only fix your closet when you are sad and I’m not letting you mourn Todd for a second longer than necessary. And that second expired two weeks ago. Come out now or I’m coming for your perky ass.”
“Fine.” I throw my head back with a groan. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“See you soon.”
I toss my phone onto the bed and stuff the closet with my clothes. The only pieces left are a bikini and a sheer flower-patterned gown.
Because I was so sad I couldn’t leave the house, Nat did the shopping for this trip. I should have known letting her go alone was a wrong move. While Nat thinks the littler clothes, the better. I’m the opposite.
I glance at the closet doors and shrug. Anymore dilly-dallying and Nat would find her way up here and hassle me. Best to get dressed and get down instead of looking for something else to put on.
I slip out of my basic underwear and fit into the bikini. I stop in front of the long mirror. My jaw drops. Of course, it’s a size too small.
“Natalie...” I grumble.
My phone starts to ring again. Sure she’s calling me to make sure I’m on my way, I slip into the sheer gown. It’s soft on my skin, the sleeves reaching to my wrists and the hem flowing around my feet. And it’s showcasing every inch of my body.
My phone’s consistent buzzing irritates me. “Fine! Sheesh. I’m coming down.”
I grab my purse and phone and head out. Thankfully, no one’s in the hallway to see me looking this dressed down. By the time I get to the party, everyone there would be similarly dressed and I won’t be the odd one out.
I take a second to appreciate the art on the wall and the plush carpet lining the hallway.
I fill my lungs with much-needed oxygen and exhale. Leaving the hotel room already has me feeling better. I’m going to enjoy myself. I press the button on the elevator and wait.
My phone rings. Again.
I grab it from my purse, ready to lay into Nat. But it’s a number that isn’t hers. I know this because first, there’s no caller ID and secondly, I have this number stored in my memory because I used it to reach my ex for five years.
