Chapter 4

I recognized it immediately. The resort's name was printed above the membership number Mom had made such a fuss about giving me.

The receptionist checked the account, then brought up the itemized bill.

"Thirty overnight packages at four hundred dollars each comes to twelve thousand. The private booking adds three thousand. There are also thirty bottles of takeaway wine at one hundred dollars each. Your current total is eighteen thousand, before the membership discount. Those prices include taxes and fees."

"Wait." Madison put a hand on the counter. "The package includes food and drinks. That's what you told us. Why are you charging for wine?"

"The drinks served with your package are included. The sealed bottles from the retail display are sold separately, at the marked price."

Several classmates looked down at their bags.

The display was beside the dining-room doors. Every bottle had a price under it. Apparently, they'd thought putting the wine out of sight would make it disappear from the bill, too.

"Your party took thirty bottles," the receptionist said. "We checked the count with the dining staff."

A neck of dark glass protruded from Brooke's tote. She pushed it farther inside.

"We just wanted to take some home," a girl said. "The wine was really good. I thought my parents would like it."

"Yeah. We didn't realize it was extra."

Madison looked at their bags, then at the card on the counter.

Her expression cleared.

"It's fine. Keep them. Three thousand dollars isn't going to ruin my birthday."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I said I'd treat you."

The embarrassment vanished almost at once.

"Thank you, Maddie!"

"Could I get another one? My boyfriend would love it."

"Oh, I want one for my sister, too."

Madison waved toward the display. "Go ahead. Get what you want."

The receptionist looked at her. "Additional bottles are also one hundred dollars each."

"I heard you. Put them on my bill."

People hurried back toward the dining room. This time there was no attempt to hide what they were taking. Bottles went into shopping bags, backpacks, the crooks of folded arms. Someone called out thanks as a member of staff counted the new purchases.

My friend watched a guy struggle to zip his bag.

"He's going to need another bag," she murmured.

"Maybe she can buy him one," the other whispered.

I pressed my lips together.

By the time everyone returned, they'd added sixty more bottles. Ninety in all. Nine thousand dollars in wine to take home, in addition to everything they'd enjoyed at the resort.

The receptionist updated the bill and turned it toward Madison.

"Your total is twenty-four thousand dollars. With the ten percent membership discount, the amount due is twenty-one thousand six hundred."

Madison nodded without really looking at the number.

The receptionist had entered the membership number and set the card back on the counter. Madison picked it up, dropped it into her bag, and turned to the others.

"Ready?"

"Excuse me," the receptionist said.

Madison stopped.

"You haven't paid."

"You just ran the card."

"I applied the membership discount. I'll need a payment card for the balance."

Madison stared at her.

"What balance? Use that card."

"It's a discount membership. It doesn't hold money."

Madison's hand stayed inside her bag.

For the first time since we'd arrived, she had nothing to say.