“Just so you know, if you ever pull a stunt like that again”—all the subsequent words were emphasized by a stab to Madison’s chest—“I…will…be…gone.” Sherry ripped open the door and stomped to the bathroom.

Sherry had left minutes ago, but Madison was still rooted to the spot. How dare she? Not just that Sherry had snapped at her, but it had also been entirely unjustified.

Not even once had she kissed Sherry without a good reason. Besides, she certainly hadn’t given the impression that she was suffering at any time. And hadn’t she been the one to kiss Madison when they had been talking to her grandmother? “Ha!”

She spun around and headed to the bathroom for a long shower.

Once under the hot spray, she relaxed a little. She’d been so nervous when they entered the Archer. No, actually, she hadn’t been until Sherry’s kiss. Don’t be ridiculous. Why should a little smooching cause her to be nervous? It had to be all this pretending that was making her feel insecure.

Even after showering for half an hour, she still felt unsettled. After drying off and slipping on her pajamas, she left the bathroom.

To her surprise, Sherry wasn’t lying on her side of the bed.

She won’t really pack her things and go, will she? Her whole plan would be lost if she did. Think! Madison could threaten not to pay Jake’s hospital bills if she left.

Madison sank onto her side of the bed. Be honest. At least to yourself. No matter how irrational Sherry was behaving right now, it wasn’t Jake’s fault.

On the other hand… Sherry couldn’t know that she had no intention of going through with this.

Decision made, Madison stood. She didn’t like to threaten Sherry, but it wasn’t as if she had a choice. There was a lot of money at stake. And at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about: money.

She marched across the room, grabbed the door handle, and…

The door was pushed open and banged her face. “Ouch!” She held her throbbing nose.

Sherry peeked around the now open door. “Oh my God. I’m sorry.” She entered the bedroom, closed the door behind her, and led Madison by the elbow to the bed. “I didn’t see you. I’m so sorry.”

Still holding her nose, Madison mumbled, “You’ve apologized already.” She sat down on Sherry’s side of the bed. “You should be happy. You wanted to slap me earlier, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t want to—”

Madison grinned to show that she was joking.

Sherry slapped her playfully. “You.”

“Ouch!” Madison rubbed her shoulder with her free hand. “Haven’t you beaten me up enough already?”

Sherry carefully pulled away Madison’s hand to inspect her nose.