She was opening her suitcase when she heard a knock at the door.

“Shit,” she said again and then called out. “Yes? Hello?”

“It’s me,” Maddie said.

She approached the door, her hand hovering over the lock. “I’m not ready,” she said. “Can you give me a couple of minutes?”

“Sure, but can I come in? I’ve got something for you.”

She closed her eyes, cursing again silently. Naturally Maddie would see her like this after their conversation yesterday. Her PJs were rumpled, her hair was no doubt sticking out everywhere, her makeup was a mess. She sighed and unlocked and opened the door.

Maddie lips curled in amusement. “Wow, you’re right. You’re not ready at all.”

“Slept in,” she said.

“It’s no problem—I’m sure you needed it. And I’m sorry. I should have told you yesterday what time to be ready.”

Maddie was holding two cups of takeaway coffee, one of which she handed to her.

“Thanks,” she said weakly. “Come in, then.”

She closed the door after Maddie, who once again walked across the room and perched on the edge of the writing desk, watching her as she drank her coffee. The woman apparently never heard of chairs.

“How long do I have?” she asked.

“Ten, maybe fifteen minutes? I can call and tell them we’ll be a little late if you need more than that.”

“No. It’s okay. I can be fast.”

She grabbed her last clean outfit and dashed into the bathroom, closing the door behind her with relief. She took a quick rinse-off shower, used some makeup wipes to remove the last of the smeary gunk on her face and from her eyes, and yanked a comb through her hopelessly tangled curls. She didn’t really like the way she looked without makeup, but she simply didn’t have time to do anything about it, and the last thing she wanted was to put it on in the car in front of Maddie. She gave her lashes a quick brush of mascara, deciding that was enough. Plain Jane would have to do.

“That was quick,” Maddie said when she emerged. She was now sitting on the foot of the bed, strangely, and Ryann averted her eyes, her heart leaping in her throat at the sight. Maddie’s short, wavy hair was cute and tousled, likely from removing her hat. She was wearing a black-and-gray flannel today, which made her pretty blue eyes stand out. Seeing Maddie there on her bed made her think about things—things she shouldn’t.

Get a grip, she told herself, knowing she was blushing wildly and unable to do anything about it.

“Shall we?” she asked as she pulled on her coat.

“Sure,” Maddie said, springing up lightly. She hesitated at the door before turning back around to face her. “Look—about yesterday…”

She waved Maddie off. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it”