Page 43 of Dead in the Water

“Cheers,” Lily said, clinking her glass against his, then taking a sip. It might be more expensive, but her untrained palette struggled to discern why. “Sorry again about your friend.”

“Thank you.” He stared into his tumbler.

“Had you known him long?”

He nodded. “Yes, but let’s not talk about such depressing subjects. Tell me about yourself. Cheer me up.”

“There’s not much to tell,” she said slowly. “The ice cream shop takes most of my time.”

“Do you own the place?”

She nodded, not wanting to get into the technicalities of not owning the building.

“Do you buy the ice cream in or make it yourself?”

“I make it myself.”

His eyes widened. “Impressive. How did you get into that business?”

“By accident really.” She forced her shoulders to relax and flashed her brightest smile. “I’ve always loved ice cream, though.”

“Don’t we all,” he said, amused. “It must be a nice life, living on such a picturesque island. Too quiet for my liking, but I imagine you find ways to entertain yourself.”

“I do seem to be pretty good at that.” Her smile came naturally, and she took another sip of wine. “What about you?” she asked, the alcohol loosening her tongue. “What’s your life like?”

“There’s a question. It’s mostly business deals and sailing.”

“Sailing?” she echoed, hoping he’d expand.

“I’ve always been happiest out on the water. That’s how I ended up here. We came by yacht. The plan was to head down to the Med, but that looks to be out of the window now.”

“I’ve never been on a yacht,” Lily said. “It sounds like the height of luxury.”

“It’s the best way to travel.” He leaned closer. “Or not travel. Staying still is fine too. Sitting on the deck on a sunny day with turquoise water below you and bright blue skies above. Put a drink in my hand and I’m in my element. Nothing better in the world.”

“I’m adding it to my bucket list,” Lily said, pressing her lips together.

“Don’t bother…” He trailed a finger over her bare upper arm in a way that made her stomach tighten.

“I thought you were going to bed,” Kerry said, appearing behind them with her husband at her side.

“Just taking a small detour,” Russell said, eyes fixed on Lily. “I’ve been having a lovely chat with Lily about how she makes her own ice cream.”

“How nice,” Kerry said, an undertone of annoyance to her words.

Russell’s eyebrows twitched as he smiled. “She’s going to join us on the boat tomorrow, aren’t you Lily?”

She’d definitely been angling for an invitation, but his lecherous smile and the lingering feel of his fingers against her skin made it seem like a very bad idea.

She swallowed the last of her wine and forced a smile. “I’d love to,” she said brightly.

Chapter Twenty

Goingfor a morning sail on a motor yacht with a bunch of strangers didn’t feel like such a bad idea until Lily was standing on deck watching the harbour recede into the distance. Maybe she should have at least told someone where she’d be. All she’d told Jessica was that she’d be gone for a few hours. She’d asked Kit to call in and check to see if Jessica needed any help, but when he’d asked over the phone where Lily would be, she’d only told him she was on an investigative mission.

He’d chuckled, but hadn’t seemed put out by her secrecy.

That secrecy seemed daft now. She should have told him where she was going. If she didn’t come back, Kit would have known what to do.

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