Page 37 of Love Overboard
Lacey stayed where she was and said nothing.
Whoever he is, he’s friendly.
Jon vaguely recalled the man’s face from studying the employee profiles. He placed his lunch on the spot the stranger made for him and sat, his eyes automatically swerving to Lacey. No one would guess she had done a brief stint locked in a dingy storage space. Her hair glowed like a ray of golden sunshine in the industrial-lit cafeteria. She avoided his eyes, which wasn’t surprising. They’d left on an awkward note when Abby liberated them from their unconventional prison. But the touch of her lips still lingered on his own, making him reckless. Why not risk rejection one more time?
He held out his hand to the other man. “I don’t believe we’ve met. Jonathan King.”
“Yes, the new cruise director. Mucho gusto.” He shook his hand. “I am Ricardo Montoya, pastry chef.”
Jon picked up his fork and pointed the blunt end at him. “Are you the one who makes those seven-layer chocolate cakes?” He nodded at Lacey. “I bet you love those.”
She fished a piece of lettuce with brown edges from her salad and didn’t answer.
Ricardo raised his chin. “Guilty. I add a touch of chili powder as my mama used to do.”
“Your mother was a wise woman. I must’ve gained five pounds on this ship.” Jon tasted his food and winced. “But not from this. Monarch should feed its staff better.”
“I agree. Maybe you should tell them.”
“Maybe I will.” He grinned and turned to the silent Lacey. “I was looking for you. Have you confronted Emily yet?”
Her head jerked. She cut her gaze to the pastry chef and back to Jon before she answered. “I haven’t discussed that particular matter with her. It’s an uncommon situation.”
“That’s one way of putting it. It’s not exactly normal to lock—”
Lacey smacked the table. “Trust me. She and I will have a heart-to-heart soon.”
“Don’t be too hard on her.” Jon reached over and touched her hand.
She withdrew it and glanced at Ricardo again.
Jon tamped down the same old sense of rejection. He wished Lacey would have a heart-to-heart with more than just Emily. When would it be his turn? If she’d only be honest with him and reveal the real reason she left all those years ago. Had God brought them back together for reconciliation or closure? Neither was happening.
He took a drink of his water and dived in again. “Have you got any time off in Puerto Limón? I thought we might have dinner.”
“You are a few minutes too late, Jonathan.” Ricardo waved a finger at him with a good-natured smile. “I already claimed this beautiful woman for tomorrow evening.”
Jon’s eyes shifted between the two, and he resisted the impulse to break that waving finger. “My mistake.”
Lacey stabbed her fork in her salad and left it there. “Would it kill them to serve us fresh food?” She pushed her chair back and stood with her tray. “I can’t eat this. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I should go check my mail.”
Jon watched her beat a hasty retreat from the dining room. The other diners clocked his reaction. He focused on his plate, took a bite from his meal, and chewed.
This was no time to be drawing attention to himself. The investigation required discretion. And it’s not like his clumsy romantic overtures made the gamble worth it. Every time he chucked his metaphorical pride out the window, it landed with a thud. Why did he keep expecting Lacey to catch it?
She’d friend-zoned him. Rejected his kiss. And made a date with another man.
It took his hard head a while to get the message, but he finally admitted the truth. The answer was no. He had to move on.
I might need a little help, God. But I can do it. Right?
CHAPTER 16
LACEY STEPPED ONTO THE LIDOdeck with a small pile of mail. The first thing to catch her eye was a bubble mailer with a new shirt she’d ordered online. A flyer from her alumni association came next, probably asking for money. At the bottom of the stack was a pink envelope. She studied the return address.
Home.
Lacey slipped a finger under the flap, tore the envelope open, and withdrew a birthday card with a teddy bear on it. Only one person would send her such a childish thing. She opened it and read.
