Page 26 of The Second Chance in the Mediterranean
He tilted his head, but I kept my eyes on my knife.
“Well, for the record,” he said, “I like you both. And you meet my approval.”
That made me grin at my knife, and Roy walked away, chuckling. “Someday...” he declared.
We continued to work, putting breakfast dishes away, when the door upstairs slammed open and loud voices echoed down the hall. Will and Xavier, another deckhand, turned the corner into the galley and whooped.
Roy slowed and looked at them. “What’s up?”
Xavier, who was normally a pretty quiet and reserved Frenchman, beamed. “We got our tip in, and it’s a fucking big one!”
We looked at each other and a grin slid over Roy’s face.
Will bumped his hip to Roy’s. “Check your email.”
We both dried our hands and pulled out our phones. Sure enough, I had gotten an email from Dom and a transfer notification. The amount made my eyes bug out.
“Every awful, terrible thing I said about those people was totally worth it.” Roy marveled.
I snorted.
“It’s horrible that they can just pay their way back into our good graces,” Xavier said. “But honestly, I don’t care. I don’t care one tiny bit, and neither does my bank account.”
“We”—Will paused and slapped his hands on the counter—“are going to celebrate. Dom’s already approved a crew night out. Like, really fucking out. It’s Friday night, we’re flush, young, and gorgeous. We need a fucking party.”
“Way to make me feel old,” I teased.
“Shut it, Marce. You’re one of us. Even our ancient captain is a silver fox.” He whispered behind his hand. “Don’t tell him I said that.”
“Where are we going?” Roy asked.
“Drinks and nosh on the Riva,” said Xavier. “Then picking up the water taxi to Bacvice for a beach club. No dress code, ’cause we’re all bums out of uniform. But it’s a dance club with cheap shots.”
“Who’s staying behind?” I asked. Xavier was the newest on the exterior team, so it was likely he’d be staying behind.
Xavier shook his head. “Dom volunteered, as did Clarissa.”
Clarissa had a boyfriend working on another yacht, and Dom was probably going to call his kids, so neither was a surprise.
“Be ready at eight.” Both men danced their way out of the galley. Roy and I grinned at each other and got back to our work. Xavier hadn’t mentioned Seb staying behind, and now that we’d circled back to a friendship, maybe it would be nice to spend some time with him, and the rest of the crew, off the clock and out of uniform.
* * *
“Hey.”
I glanced over my shoulder where Cat stood at the entrance to the galley.
“You just about done here?” she asked me.
“Yes, what’s going on?”
“The girls have taken over the master cabin to get ready for tonight.” She shrugged. “It’s a little girly, but we’ve opened a couple bottles of wine and put some music on. Come join us.”
Flattered, I grinned. “Sounds fun.”
“Roy, you want to join us?”
“Thanks, but I’d rather not be the token gay.” He wrinkled his nose and stuck his tongue out at Cat. “Besides, Seb and I get ready together. And I’m going to rub it in your face: I only need half an hour, tops, so have fun in hair and makeup!”
