I’m such a chicken. I should do the mature thing and find him, but I went to him last time. If he cared at all, he’d come to me this time, right? I refuse to chase him around the ship like I’m desperate for his attention.
Because I’m not. My life was just fine before he exploded into it and I’ll pick up the pieces again if I have to, but some wounds take longer to heal than others. I don’t know how he managed it, but the ache in my heart goes deep.
I’ve only barely gotten back outside on my balcony and settled on a lounge chair when the helicopter takes off again. This time I get a decent look. It’s totally black and looks like something out of a James Bond movie, except the logo on the body looks awfully familiar. Caldwell? My stomach twists. Did Gavin leave? Did he tell his father about the tickets and I’m about to get in huge trouble?
Oh shit.
I sit up and start to panic, not sure which situation is worse. That Gavin is so mad, or cares so little that he’d actually just leave, or that I’m about to be put in ship jail. Do ships have jails? The room phone rings and just about stops my heart.
OhGodOhGodOhGod.
“Hello?” My fingers barely touch the receiver, as if it might turn around and bite me.
“Mrs. Caldwell? Marie?” That name is haunting me, but if they are still calling me Marie, then they don’t know I’m faking it, right? Please be right.
“Yes, who’s this?”
The man on the other end laughs briefly. “It’s me, Captain Chuck. Don’t you recognize me? I’m hurt, well and truly, dear lady.”
I giggle nervously. “Of course, Chuck. I’m sorry. The sound is pretty fuzzy on my end, and I didn’t expect anyone to call. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all, Marie. I’ll have someone check the lines later.”
Great, now I feel guilty about giving someone extra work. “What’s going on?”
He hesitates. “We have... a bit of a situation down here.”
“Situation?” Panic pokes up its ugly head again.
“One that requires your presence immediately.”
Is this another one of the things that Gavin’s dad set up? Like the wedding wasn’t bad enough? “Are you sure I need to be there? I have no idea what this is about.”
“I’m afraid you do. I’ve already sent a steward to your room to fetch you. I think once you’re here you’ll agree that it was worth the bother.” I can almost hear his grin through the phone.
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice... “Do I need to wear anything special? Fancy dress or anything?” Call me suspicious, but getting married in my swimsuit has made me a little cautious about surprises.
“No, no need. Just come as you are.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll wait for the steward.”
Sorry, Chuck. One evening of underdressed fun is enough for me. I throw on a sundress over my suit and give my hair a quick check. There isn’t time for anything else before the steward is knocking at the door.
It’s the same kid from the other morning, the one who hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off my chest when he came for our wakeup call. He looks a little disappointed, probably because I’m not hanging out of my shirt.
“Right this way, Mrs. Caldwell.”
He leads me to the elevator and we ride down in silence. It feels a little awkward, but it’s not like we have anything to say to each other. He’s just doing his job. It’s not his fault if I’m about to walk the plank. Leading the way through a stately section of the ship I haven’t seen yet, he finally stops in front of large shut double doors. The sign says LIBRARY LOUNGE. “Here you are, Mrs. Caldwell. The captain told me to tell you to go in, and that um... you won’t be disturbed.”
I nod, eyes wide. That sounds ominous.
Chapter 35: Angie
Putting my hand on the doorknob, I twist and open.
The ship’s library isn’t large, but when I enter the room, I can almost believe that I’m walking into an old-fashioned study. No fireplace, but the walls are lined with heavy wooden bookshelves and dark green textured wallpaper on what I can see of the walls. The carpet is plush and looks soft. It’s the kind of room that would make someone want to fire up a cigar or pipe if it weren’t for the NO SMOKING signs.
In the center of the room are several deep leather chairs. They look both comfortable and impressive, in a faux-antique sort of way. Sitting there in a perfectly tailored suit and looking for all the world like he actually belongs in a library, is Gavin. He stands up as soon as I enter, the suit emphasizing his broad shoulders and the powerful V form of his torso. He looks so good that I almost forget to wonder why he’s here, or why I’m here for that matter.