When we reached a railing overlooking the water, Cade stopped and leaned closer with a dangerous smile. “What happened to following the script?”
“The script is boring,” I whispered back, scratching the inside of my wrist where a few red bumps had appeared. “Our story needs substance. Intrigue. There’s nothing interesting or cute about the brief your team created.”
His lips pressed together. “So you chose a cat café? Andlove letters? I’ve never written a letter in my life.”
I shrugged. “Kitty’s café is closer to the truth and adds character. Plus, it doesn’t sound like it was decided by a team of people in suits.”
Cade went quiet and looked out at the water in front of us. I got the impression he was weighing the pros and cons of tossing me overboard.
Thankfully, he must’ve decided to let me live, because he dragged his gaze back to me with a sigh.
“You’re single-handedly destroying my reputation,” he finally said, earning a blank stare.
“If writing love letters to your supposed girlfriend ruins your reputation, then I think you have bigger problems to work through,” I said slowly. Another idea occurred. “Have you considered therapy?”
His grip tightened on my arm—not enough to hurt, but enough that he must be seriously considering saying to heck with this plan and dragging me off the yacht. “Just stick to the script.”
“But the script is lame?—”
“It’s what you agreed to,” he reminded me coolly, before pulling me back to the group, all of whom made no attempts to pretend they hadn’t been watching us the whole time.
“All good?” Harrison asked lightly, glancing between us.
“Peachy.” I smiled brightly, sticking beside Cade. “What’d we miss?”
Harrison and Madison exchanged a long look, and I braced myself for more questions as Harrison cleared his throat. “Well, there’s something we should share with the group before we toast and kick off the trip…”
He looked toward Madison, who clasped her hands together.
“We kept it a surprise, but this isn’t just a normal holiday,” she explained, smiling widely. “To celebrate our new marriage, Harrison and I wanted to do something special. So, we reached out to someone I really admire for help setting up a life-changing experience for everyone here.”
I frowned. That sounded more than a little ominous.
Harrison started a little drumroll to build suspense, but apparently Madison couldn’t contain her excitement any longer.
“It’s a couples retreat!” she blurted, throwing her arms up and vibrating with joy. “We’re spending the next week strengthening our connection with our partners, spendingquality time building foundations, and embracing group therapy together. Doesn’t that sound fun?”
My brows shot up, and I blinked—unsure if I’d heard her correctly—while Cade’s entire body went rigid beside me.
…This wasdefinitelynot part of the script.
dr. lovejoy
. . .
Cade
A couples retreat?
…A fucking couples retreat?
Harrison was a dead man walking.
Madison smiled expectantly at the rest of us, but no one said a word, and her shoulders eventually deflated. “… This isn’t a problem, is it?”
My fingers flexed, itching to strangle my brother.
“A problem? No, not at all!” Ellie recovered much quicker than the rest of us, and she slid her hand into mine, smiling brightly. “A couples retreat sounds like a blast. Cade and I love any opportunity to deepen our connection.”