Page 25 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

Dani glances around the table and stops when she sees me. “Rachelle?” In three long strides, she’s at my side and pulls me in for a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m hanging in there,” I say, trying not to divulge too much. I don’t need a waterworks show with dinner tonight.

“It’s so good to see you.”

She makes her way back over to Landon and I have to keep my smile to myself as I watch her basically punch him in the side. Another reason I’ve missed the Higgins family. They’re for real and don’t hide behind pretenses.

“You too, Dani.”

My words don’t quite convey just how much I’ve missed her. She’s always been more of a sister than my own.

“Good evening,” the server says, coming to interrupt. At least it gives me some time to think about what to do in this situation. I pull my phone out of my clutch to text Tiffany, but there are no bars on the screen. I can’t even ask her to cause some sort of disturbance or anything. Maybe she’ll be here in time to see the train wreck in action.

The server turns to the opposite side of the table and Isabella reaches over, touching my forearm lightly. “Are you all right? You look like you just ate a raw onion.”

I laugh softly and shake my head. “Uh, just surprised by this whole evening.”

“Have you decided what you’re going to order? Someone told me to get everything and give it a try.”

She winks at me and I smile back. The menu is blurry as I try to force back the few tears clouding my vision.

I am strong. I’ve gone through a lot in the past year and I can make it through one meal with my ex.

One meal and then avoid him the rest of the trip. At least that’s my new plan.

CHAPTER9

Landon

Yeah, I can’t stop staring at the woman across from me. I try to glance away every few seconds, hoping I don’t look too stalkerish. But the fact that she’s here makes me happy Dani convinced/forced me to stay on the ship.

Every time I glance up, I see her and her different expressions. Isabella says something to make her smile and I wish I could do that. Any eye contact she makes with me is the equivalent of dart throwing.

Her comment about what I said when she sat down was a little biting, but at least it wasn’t a handful of paint balls aimed for my stomach.

What in the world is she doing here? Maybe the universe sent her as a way for me to make up for being a total idiot. I just need the opportune time to ask her forgiveness, preferably when we’re alone. The last thing I need is Roman thinking I’m not cut out for whatever he’s planning for me.

Then again, if it means I can have her back, I’m willing to risk my ego for her to understand I messed up. But it means telling her the whole reason behind leaving the first time, and I’m afraid it might break her.

Then again, she seems so much more confident, like she’s taking on the world. Even though I thought I loved her before, this new self-assured Rachelle is causing the finale kind of firework zings to shoot through my body.

“Did you know she was going to be here?” Dani whispers out the side of her mouth as the server takes the orders from the other side of the table. Isabella is chatting with Rachelle and I’m caught again by the brightness of her smile. Yep, this is torture and I deserve it.

I shake my head. “No. I think it was a mix-up with the host.”

“That got her on the boat? Please don’t tell me you think she’s dating a server who works for the cruise.”

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. What was I thinking when I thought bringing my sister on a business cruise was a good idea? Obviously, I didn’t want to be alone, but now that Rachelle is here, by herself, I’m wondering if Dani will be a help or block in telling Rachelle I’m sorry.

Why is Rachelle here by herself?

“No, Dani, I meant sitting at our table.” I reach over and take a sip of lemonade, needing a moment to collect my thoughts.

“Well, get through this dinner and we’ll have an all-night planning session on how to get her back.”

I glance over at her, laughing a bit. “Dani, you are one of a kind. Maybe we need to find you a guy on this trip.”

“I’m good. I’m just here for the food.”

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