Page 39 of Kiss Me at Midnight
“On TV.” The skiff driver laughed.
Jud and Paulo turned to look at him. The skiff driver was the porter who’d helped with the luggage and served them their meals.
“Problem?” Jud asked in an icy voice.
“No, sir.” And to prove it, he smiled.
“Eek!” Paulo drew back.
“Oh, my God.” Jud covered his mouth and pointed at the younger man. “Your teeth.” They were red.
The skiff driver stopped smiling. “It was the beets. Every time Mrs. Summer turned down an egg salad sandwich, the chef went ballistic. When she sent this one back, I ate it. Only now, everyone, including the chef, knows I did.”
“Tough break, man. All she wanted was plain egg salad. Speaking of wants, I’ll need a bag of rice to stick my phone into when we get back on board.” Jud turned his attention toward the yacht. “Why didn’t the yacht slow down or turn around?”
“We have a schedule to keep,” the driver said. “And the captain is upset about Mrs. Summer trying to take over the boat controls.”
*
“The love of my life nearly drowned.” Rachel paced the boat garage. “Twice in one day!” She glared at Lily, who had a feeling that Rachel wanted to blame her.
“That’s unlucky,” Grandma Dotty said matter-of-factly. “Maybe you shouldn’t travel by sea.”
Rachel crossed her arms over her chest. Her red hair undulated in the breeze over one shoulder. “I won’t rest until Paulo is in my arms again.”
Marta put a consoling arm around Rachel’s shoulders. “See? They’re in the skiff, just a few more minutes away.”
“I want him now.” Rachel thrust Marta’s arm off and went to stand at the safety rail.
“You shouldn’t treat people like that.” Grandma Dotty went to put her arm around Marta. “We’re all worried.”
“Yes, but only one of us is responsible for nearly drowning two men.” Rachel waved to the skiff.
“Yes, your captain is to blame,” Grandma Dotty said with complete conviction.
Anger flashed in Rachel’s eyes.
“We’ll let you wait in peace.” Lily hustled Grandma Dotty away.
“Where are we going?” Grandma Dotty asked. “To call family? Have you looked at your phone lately? Your sisters are texting me non-stop. You know I’m not a good texter.”
“I know. I’m ignoring them.” Lily led her grandmother toward the salon.
“You need to answer.”
“I did. I told them we were fine.” It was the equivalent of no comment.
Behind her, Grandma Dotty scoffed. “You know they don’t believe you. Violet is especially concerned.”
“Do you believe me?” Lily stopped in the hallway and looked at her grandmother’s sweet face.
She reached out to smooth Lily’s curls over her shoulder. “You never back down from a fight, which is what makes you so good in public service fighting for the underdog. But whether you’re fine… That’s not for me to judge. It’s just that you never told anyone what happened that night after Rachel abandoned you and now I think whatever it was…it should be out in the open.”
“I’m fine,” Lily insisted, turning down the short corridor to the salon. “And what Violet and the rest don’t realize is that I have to do this on my own.”
“Alone?” Her grandmother tsked. “Maybe in your fight with Rachel. But what about your past? And what about Jud? I can tell you’re falling for him. You need your sisters and the Kissing Test.”
“I don’t.” Lily turned and hurried down the hall. “I enjoy Jud’s company. But I’m smart enough to realize I’m not his type. And since he isn’t interested in a relationship, there’s no Kissing Test needed.”
