Maddie smirked again and left her there, nearly breathless with rage. It took every ounce of her willpower to make herself keep walking. She caught up to the three of them outside a busy place called Henry’s and managed to catch Stuart before he went inside.

“Can I talk to you for a sec?” she asked him.

“Sure,” he said, clearly confused. He turned to Jai. “Go ahead and get a table. We’ll be in soon.”

Jai raised his eyebrows briefly, but he and Maddie disappeared inside.

“What’s up?” Stuart asked.

She opened her mouth, almost ready to tell him about her recent exchanges with Maddie, but his happy, excited expression stopped her. The last thing he needed was some weird drama, not when he was so clearly thrilled with everything. She didn’t need to bring him down.

“It’s nothing. I’m not feeling well. I’m tired, and I shouldn’t have had all those beers.” She paused. “Do you mind if we pick up again tomorrow? I’m not up for any of this right now.”

Stuart squinted at her. “Are you sure something else isn’t going on? What were you and Maddie talking about?”

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”

He squeezed her shoulder. “Okay, Ryann. You’re right. This is a lot to handle after the trip you had. I’m sorry. We should have saved the introductions for tomorrow.”

“No. It’s fine. You couldn’t have known. And I’m so glad to meet Jai. He’s really incredible.”

“He is, isn’t he?”

“Yes. He really is. Give them my apologies?”

“Sure. If you want, I can even order some food sent over for you. You have to eat something.”

“Thanks, but it’s fine. I can ask Ethel for a sandwich or something.”

He raised an eyebrow at her, clearly not buying it. She laughed.

“Okay. I’d love it if you sent something over. Something light, please. A salad.”

“Are you sure? They have a really great steak sandwich here.”

She gave him a quick hug. “Salad’s good. So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yes—first thing in the morning. Nine a.m. I’ll give you and Maddie the lowdown so you can get started. You have an appointment at ten and one at two, so dress for a whole day out.”

She sighed again, suddenly as tired as she’d claimed to be. “Okay. But you better bring coffee.”

She spent the walk back to the hotel going over her interactions with Maddie. What on earth had made her behave that way and say what she’d said? Finally back in her room and lying on the ridiculous bed, she was too tired to wait up for the food to arrive. She started to drift off, fully clothed, long before someone knocked on her door. She didn’t get up.

Chapter Five