“I don’t know, you seemed to—”

“Hey! Nothing to do, or what?” Danielle called from the end of the bar. “In one hour, the lunch crowd will be here.”

“Slave driver,” Sherry said but winked at her.

Danielle fanned herself with a tray as if she was a Southern belle in a voluminous dress. “Well, Ms. Sherry, I learned from the very best,” she said in a bad Scarlett O’Hara imitation, staring at Madison.

Madison ran toward her with a wet rag, trying to slap her with it.

Danielle jumped to the side and giggled. Pointing at Madison, she said, “See what I have to put up with?”

Sherry joined their laughter.

“Tell me everything, and don’t leave out a thing.” Janice took a sip of her cocktail. Like always, when they met at the Sheridon Bar, Janice had a Mai Tai.

Madison folded her hands behind her head and grinned broadly. “Couldn’t be better.”

Janice put down her cocktail. “You don’t mean to tell me that your plan is actually working?”

Madison nodded and took another healthy swig of her Sex on the Beach. Janice’s flabbergasted expression was so funny that Madison almost choked on her drink. “The day before yesterday, we had dinner at my grandmother’s, and she really seemed to buy it. Even Danielle thinks we’re head over heels.” Madison chuckled. “And she told me that being in love looks good on me.”

Janice slumped back in her seat. “I didn’t see that coming.”

“Obviously, or you wouldn’t have taken that bet with me.”

Janice drained her cocktail. “It’s not just that you both seem to be convincing. I mean everything. Out of nowhere, you get a call from your cousin after how many years? Overnight, she provides you with a job, and you’re actually working.”

“Hey, that sounds as if you think I’m lazy.”

“Maybe not exactly lazy, but come on. When did you ever really work for something?”

Not sure how to answer, Madison kept silent.

“So what changed? Is it all because of your inheritance?”

“Why else?” But she had to admit—if just to herself—that it felt surprisingly good to work at the Archer. She’d almost been disappointed when Danielle told her after the lunch crowd that she would be fine with Jack and Sherry and that Madison could take the rest of the day off. But being sent home was better than having to do paperwork.

“Why are you looking as if you just sucked on a lemon?” Janice asked.

“Ah, nothing.”

Janice scrutinized her as if trying to decide if she should press the topic, but then she let it go. “So, how is it, living with a kid?”

“Not much to tell. I barely see him. I have the feeling Sherry is trying to keep him away from me.”

Janice nodded but didn’t comment. “And what about Phil?”

“What about him?”