Priceless Treasure(42)

“Savvy, time to get aboard.”

Turning away from the last passengers loading, Savvy followed her co-worker through the back entrance of the ship and decided to watch from the private back deck when they pulled the anchor and began sailing out to sea.

Her disappointment at not seeing Ashton — wait! She wasn’t disappointed! — was soon pushed aside as the next hour rushed by and then they were casting off. There wasn’t anything to do for the rest of the afternoon but prepare to enjoy the scenery as the ship made its way up the Pacific Coast. The first stop she’d get a chance to get off the ship would be in Skagway, Alaska. Passengers got a full day and night at most of the stops. Some even chose to stay in hotels on the islands just to experience more of the area.

Savvy couldn’t understand why they’d pay for another room when they already had one, but apparently people with money didn’t mind wasting it. Whatever. She decided not to think like that. It wasn’t the judgmental mood she wanted to set for herself.

“Is this a first time for you?”

Jumping a bit at the question, Savvy turned to find Weston standing next to her, and though it had been several days since he’d last flirted with her, he seemed to be on his game right now as he sent her a sultry look.

“Yes, it’s my virgin voyage. One day I would love to be a real guest on one of these cruises, and especially this one, considering the way those lucky people are treated.”#p#分页标题#e#

He moved a little closer, and his shoulder was brushing hers as they watched the boat begin pulling away from the dock.

“Yeah, Mr. Storm gives each of us a free trip after we’ve been here a year, but honestly, we also get a lot of time off during these trips, so I haven’t taken one yet as a passenger,” Weston told her. “I enjoy working, and, man, do I make a lot of tips!”

“That’s because you work in the casino, Wes. I would love to do that job. I think I’d be a killer blackjack dealer. I’ve played a lot of it on my phone,” she said, and tossed him a wink.

“Talk to the boss. He likes to give everyone a variety of opportunities.”

“Maybe on another ride. Anyway, I don’t think I’ll be on too many. I’m only here for the summer.”

“Why’s that?” he asked.

“I go back to grad school in the fall, and I can’t disappear for another ten days after classes have started.”

“Want to meet me here tonight? I’m off at two in the morning.”

Savvy wanted to groan. No, she didn’t want to meet up with him, but she also didn’t want there to be any awkwardness between her and any of her co-workers. Plus, she really did enjoy the flirting. Was that her little sister’s influence? It had to be.

When she remained silent for several moments, his beautiful smile fell away, and she searched desperately for something to tell him.

“I would love to, Weston, but I have to be up early, so I’ll be out cold by the time the casino closes,” she said. At least she wasn’t lying to the man. She would be in bed by midnight at the latest.

He seemed disappointed but by no means devastated. “Do you have the early shift all through the cruise?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

“Me too. I’m sorry, I mean. I work late, so I sleep in. Maybe we can catch lunch or something.”

But even as he said it, she saw him look down at the lower deck, and his eye was caught by a woman who was walking by in a skimpy blue dress.

“Go get her, Casanova, before Mark does,” Savvy said, pointing out another co-worker who also had a lustful eye on the blonde.

Weston barely mumbled goodbye before taking off, and Savvy blew out a sigh of relief. The crisis had been averted.

She stayed where she was as long as possible and enjoyed the warm sun on her face. Then work called again. Turning too quickly, she had to grab the railing before she slammed down on the floor. There weren’t even any waves she could blame for her near fall, dang it. But she forgot all the awkwardness of the past hour as she had to shuffle from cabin to cabin to deal with the passengers’ requests.

The regular dinner hour came and went without her having the chance to eat, and she was more than ready to make an early night of it. She was dead on her feet and starving. Good thing there was granola and juice in the break room. She could grab some and eat in her bed — screw the crumbs.

The next day was exactly the same. Shirley assured her that they worked fewer hours once at port and not getting calls from the passengers every two minutes. But the first two days of the cruise were always the hardest as people began clamoring for all the things they’d forgotten to pack, and that sometimes went into the underwear department. Sheesh.