Page 18 of The Red Zone
It took everything in me not to burst out laughing at the outrageous name.
I’d never admit it, but the white blindfold they gave me was a hundred percent sheer and I could seeeverythingaround us with crystal clear vision. To make my act seem more believable, I’d purposely tripped while getting out of the car, and as far as I could tell, they totally bought it.
At this rate, I’d be able to add “seasoned improv actress” to my resume by sunrise.
Scarlett’s voice grew louder with each step as she babbled on about the latest celebrity gossip, likely trying to mask the sound of friendly chatter from party goers resounding through the air as we approached the boat.
Our heels clattered against the wooden planks a few more feet before Lea and Scarlett tugged my elbows to signal for me to stop walking.
“Okay, we’re here,” Scar buzzed next to me. I could hear the smile on her lips as she spoke.
Slipping off the blindfold, my eyes grew wide and my expression brightened as I took in my surroundings. Best of all was seeing the pleased look on Scarlett’s face from thinking she pulled one over on me.
God, I love her.
“Oh my god, you guys! I can’t believe this,” I exclaimed, trying to conceal my high-pitched tone as I pulled them both into a group hug. “You’re telling me this isn’t a cruise ship?”
“Ahhh, it’s so great, isn’t it?” Scar was practically jumping out of her skin as she whisked past us and led the way up the ramp to the entrance. The girl loved a good party, especially if it meant she got to help make the food.
“You’re a horrible liar.” Lea whispered in my ear as we took our sweet time strolling behind her.
“Do you think she noticed?”
I really thought I’d gotten away with my act, damn it. Then again, there wasn’t much that went past Lea unnoticed.
“Doubtful. She’s too excited about everyone trying her mini donuts to care. It’s all she’s talked about all week.”
I couldn’t help but let out a burst of laughter.
Sounded just like Scarlett.
“You won’t tell her?”
“Never.” She shot me a sly wink before locking her elbow with mine as we picked up our pace to catch up.
As we crossed over the threshold of the entrance and onto the gargantuan boat, a sea of people shouted, “Surprise!” in unison. A slow smile spread across my lips as people swarmed me with hugs and countless happy birthdays.
Before I could blink, I was sucked into conversation after conversation with people I hadn’t seen in years. How Scarlett had tracked down all of these people was beyond me. Then again, I’m sure most people weren’t foolish enough to turn down a yacht party with an open bar.
After nearly an hour, I managed to break free from one prolonged catch-up after another long enough to capture my breath. Leisurely working my way through the crowd toward the dessert bar where Scarlett and Lea were piling their tiny plastic plates with every flavor mini donut in sight.
My stomach rumbled in retaliation. I hadn’t even had a bite to eat all night.
Almost as if the universe heard my inner thoughts, the corner of a silver tray slammed into the side of my shoulder as a server circulating hors d’oeuvres crashed into me. Quiche and caviar flew every which way, splattering across the maritime floorboards.
In a last-ditch effort to keep myself upright, I winded my arms back, twisting myself uncomfortably until a sharp, searing pain spread out from my ankle.
Shit.
With no time left to make a move, I accepted my defeat, which unfortunately meant falling backward into someone’s lap. Thankfully, a firm hand caught my back, helping me stay vertical. This person’s hand was the only thing that saved me from falling over their knee and cracking my head open on floorboard.
What a story that would’ve been.
As far as the eye could see, everyone had their gaze locked on me with widened eyes and a palm slapped over their mouth.
Dear God, this was mortifying.
Which was saying a lot coming from someone who’d spent the better half of the last decade being stared at by bystanders for a living.
