Page 76 of The Situation Ship
“Are you sure nothing more is going on than just best intentions? I saw how he looked at you; it could even makemeblush. He looked about ready to attack the waiter for even asking for your order.” Phoebe chuckled, lightening the mood.
Poppy shook her head, focusing on the water coming from the tap. “He’s suspicious of anyone who gets close to me. Let’s just say the last few people who’ve come my way haven’t lived long enough to discuss it.”
Phoebe took a minute to digest what she was saying, and Poppy hoped she hadn’t said too much. She didn’t want to put her burdens on her, but having her listen was helping ease her anxiety attack. The walls had stopped closing in, and her hands weren’t shaking as noticeably.
“I don’t know what situation you’re in exactly. You probably can’t tell me everything, considering we’ve just met. But if I could give you one piece of advice– getting through this will be much easier if you do it together. When I was going through my own hell, I thought keeping Axel at a distance, keeping all those I cared about away from me, would help keep them safe. In the end, the people we love want to protect us just as much as wewant to protect them, and sometimes keeping them at a distance only puts them in more danger.”
Poppy took in every word. It was as though Phoebe had read her thoughts.
“I’m afraid to care about him because I don’t want someone to hurt him to hurt me. He wasn’t supposed to be here, and I wasn’t supposed to be feeling the things I am, and this isn’t the time to be feeling anything for anyone,” she rambled.
“I can’t give you much advice about what to do with feelings you should or shouldn’t have. I fell in love with my brother’s best friend and ex-fiancée’s bandmate, all while being hunted down by their crazy ex-manager. The timing is never perfect or even halfway decent. I like to believe Axel was my silver lining in a dark cloud. Isaiah might just be yours,” Phoebe said, handing Phoebe a towel.
“What if caring about him gets him killed?” Poppy asked bluntly.
Phoebe took a moment to process that.
“Isaiah risks his life for strangers every day.” She shrugged. “It’s his job to protect people. You’re worth protecting, and none of what’s happening is your fault. It took me a long time to realise that,” Phoebe said, giving her a hug she hadn’t known she needed.
Phoebe pulled away and rested her hands on Poppy’s shoulders. “Okay, this is when Axel would tell me to mind my business or practice what I preach. So I will tell you that the food is at the table, but take all the time you need to catch your breath. We aren’t going anywhere.”
Poppy had never been so happy to run into someone in her life. She would have thanked God for putting Phoebe in her path if she believed in him.
“What you said really means a lot. You’ve helped me more than you know,” she said. Phoebe’s eyes were as glassy as herown. Poppy gave her an out before they both became blubbering messes. “I’ll be out in a second. I just want to fix my mascara.”
“I know I said take your time, but with those two out there, I wouldn’t be too long, or your food might not be there when you get back,” Phoebe warned, heading for the door. Poppy chuckled.
Steady on her feet again, she walked through the restaurant and noticed Isaiah was out in the smoking area on the phone. She thought about returning to the table– after all, they had agreed to trust each other– but she couldn’t stop her feet. Hidden from him by the terrace, she heard him curse.
“Can you see my face in them?” he asked, his irritation palpable. “I should’ve known there would be photographers at the dock. Thank you for keeping it from the captain. I don’t think I’d have a job to return to if Roberts knew where I was.”
There was a pause, and Poppy wished he was on loudspeaker so she could hear the other side of the conversation. She hadn’t considered that he might be fired for helping her.
“Don’t worry about looking into Joshua. He’s dead– killed. Along with Calliope Chase, the movie star, and a crew member, Patrice,” Isaiah explained bluntly. There was a pause. “No, Poppy isn’t the killer. I was wrong about her. You haven’t seen it in the news because the ship is covering it up until we can get solid answers. No one wants a panic.”
Hearing Isaiah defend her made her heart ache. He had been right about her.If he had been going to rat her out, this would have been as good a time as any. He could easily have had the police waiting for her when they docked.
“We can’t come home. It wouldn’t change anything. The best way to lure out the killer is to wait it out. Poppy is clearly their endgame, and they won’t be able to resist striking sooner or later.” It seemed whoever was on the other end didn’t want them getting back on board.
“No, I haven’t got too attached.” Another long silence and an even longer sigh. “I’m not going to get myself killed.”
Poppy rolled her eyes, but she didn’t blame him for not telling the person about their close relationship; then he would be receiving a different type of lecture.
“All the evidence we have gathered is being tested by a local station here. The reports will be forwarded to your email – I want to ensure you have all the information in case anything goes wrong. Just make sure Roberts doesn’t find out. I’ve got to get back. Yes, Mom, I love you too,” Isaiah said sarcastically before hanging up. He ran his hands through his hair and took a moment to steady himself.
Poppy hurried away before he caught her eavesdropping. She pretended to bump into him as he returned to the table.
“Who were you talking to?” she asked, looking at the phone in his hand.
“My partner back home. Michael worries if I don’t check in, and the last thing we need is him sending out a manhunt for a missing detective,” Isaiah said.
Poppy nodded, but noticed the conversation had unsettled him.
“We should get back to the table,” he said. “And then if you want to go out tonight, we should head back to the ship to get changed.”
“Do you not want to go back?” Poppy asked, wondering if his answer would tally with what he’d said on the phone to his partner.
“I want to solve this, but I don’t want you to be in danger. Putting you back on that ship is like serving you up on a platter.” He rubbed his brow.
