All too soon it was over and they sat back down. His phone made a noise. He reached into his pocket to get it, but fumbled and dropped it on the floor.
Miranda reached down and picked it up. Oh, no. She was looking at the screen. She made a face. “Why is your assistant giving Shelly a bath?”
He snatched his phone away from her. “No, that’s not what it says. I had my assistant pick up some bath salts for Shelly.” He gave her a nervous laugh. “Stupid auto-correct.”
Angelica frowned and turned to him. “Where did you and Shelly meet?”
Great, more questions about Shelly. Why did he have to drop his phone? He hated lying to Miranda, and this was the biggest lie he’d ever perpetuated. He had to get rid of Shelly, somehow. He shifted in his seat. “At the humane society.”
“What’s she like?” Angelica leaned toward him, looking at him around Miranda.
“Very friendly,” he said, hoping that would be it.
“What kinds of things does she like?”
He held in a groan. Why was Angelica questioning him like this? “Food. She loves food.”
“Hey,” Miranda said. “I thought I was your only food-obsessed friend.”
“Sorry, Shelly beats you in enthusiasm for a meal.”
It was almost comical how sulky Miranda seemed at being bested by a dog. She huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “Well.”
He had to bite his cheek in order to not laugh out loud. “Don’t worry. You have other traits that surpass hers.”
Miranda eyed him suspiciously. “Like what?”
Drew involuntarily looked down at her full lips. He forced himself to raise his gaze. “You’re a better conversationalist.”
Angelica rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair. Before Drew could ask what that was about, Aiden stepped out on stage and welcomed the audience.
“Our panel discussion today will talk about some of our actor’s favorite episodes. Please give a generous welcome to our cast members.”
The theater exploded in applause as Peter Walker, Zachary Dunham, and the rest of the cast walked out on stage. They all took their seats behind the table set up on stage. Each actor had a cup sitting in front of them, and Zachary picked his up and lifted it to the audience before taking a sip and setting it back down on the table. The audience cheered.
“We’re going to start with our audience favorite, Peter Walker. What was your favorite episode of Star Venture?”
As Peter spoke, Miranda leaned over and whispered to Drew. “What’s up with Angelica? Why is she rolling her eyes at you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Geesh, moody much?” Miranda made a face and Drew chuckled.
“I guess she just doesn’t understand our friendship.”
Miranda giggled and sat back in her chair. “Guess not.”
Drew watched the panel discussion, but thoughts about Miranda and their friendship swirled in his mind. Maybe Angelica didn’t understand their friendship, but Drew wasn’t so sure he understood it either. He desperately wanted Miranda to see him as more than a friend. If she never would, why was he still hanging around? It seemed like he was just torturing himself.
And even though he kept making resolves to stop seeing Miranda, he knew it would never happen. When she called, he couldn’t help but run to her. It wasn’t realistic to think he could abandon that just because he wanted to stop the pain of seeing her.
Maybe it would be best if he tried to see if Angelica and he could have something together. If he could be happy with someone else, maybe then his high school crush would dissolve.
Chapter 10
Drew’s jaw tightened as Zachary Dunham stared at Miranda throughout the panel discussion. The cruise director pulled the microphone to his lips. “Zachary, it’s your turn. What was your favorite episode of Star Venture?”
Zachary winked at Miranda and smiled. “Mine has to be ‘Casualty.’”
Oh, brother. Of course he’d bring up the episode Miranda had asked him about. Why was she smiling at him? Didn’t she see through him? Drew wanted to shake her and tell her Zachary was only using her.
“Season six,” Aiden said. “That was a good episode. What did you like most about it?”
“I loved the cave scene. Something about it was . . . exhilarating.” He grinned at Miranda and she gave him a wide smile.
“That was the episode where you got stabbed, right? That set was amazing.”
The discussion went on, and Drew zoned out. He couldn’t stand to watch Miranda being manipulated like that. But he wasn’t about to butt in.
After the event was over, as they stood to leave, Zachary jumped down from the stage and approached them. “Miranda, are you free tonight?”
She glanced at Drew, almost as if asking for permission to ditch him. Drew stayed silent. Miranda shifted. “I. . . uh. . .”
“Why don’t you and Drake and the girls meet me at the Venture Club for drinks?” Zachary slid his arm around her shoulders. “There’s a decent band playing tonight.”
“Drew,” Miranda said under her breath.
Angelica squealed. “We’d love to!”
Drew shrugged and Miranda smiled at Zachary. “Okay.”
“Great. I’ll see you at eight then.” He stared meaningfully at Miranda’s lips, then rushed off.
Drew frowned and cleared his throat. “I guess we have some time before dinner.”
Angelica looped her hand around Drew’s arm. “Great. We can explore the shops.”
Miranda didn’t look happy. “Actually, I’d rather go lie down.”
“You okay?” he asked. He didn’t want to run off with Angelica if Miranda wasn’t feeling well. He’d rather stay and keep her company.
Miranda ran her hand through her hair. “Yeah, I’m fine. I think that massage relaxed me more than I thought. I’m going to take a nap so I can stay awake during dinner.”
“Alright, as long as you think you’re okay.”
Miranda smiled, although it seemed forced. “I’m good. You guys go explore the ship.” She whacked him on the arm, maybe a little too forcefully, and left. He stared after her. What did he do to deserve that?
Carol shot a look at Angelica. “Actually, I’m going to duck out as well. But you two have fun.” She winked at her friend, then took off.
“I feel like we’ve been set up,” Drew said.
Angelica grinned up at him. “Would that be so bad?”
He looked at her. “We probably should talk.”
Angelica looped her arm through his and started toward the exit. “I agree. I want to know a few things. What’s the deal with Shelly?”
Heat crept up his neck. “Do you want me to be honest?”
“Of course.”
He side-stepped to avoid colliding with a group of teens. Angelica’s gaze prodded him. He sighed. “Shelly’s not my girlfriend. Miranda just got the wrong idea, and I didn’t know how to correct her.”
“So you don’t have a girlfriend?”
“I hope you’re not upset.”
She grinned. “Not at all. You weren’t acting like a man with a girlfriend, so I was confused. You seemed to be sending me mixed signals. I totally understand now.”
He scratched his neck. “I don’t know how to tell Miranda.”
“Maybe just saying it is best. Come out with it. Explain how Shelly’s your. . .” Angelica looked at him to supply the answer.
“Dog.”
Angelica laughed. “What?”
“I know, it’s the stupidest thing. I can’t believe I let it go on this long.”
“How did she think your dog was your girlfriend?” Angelica turned to enter a shop with jewelry in the window.
He stopped and stood against the glass counter as Angelica browsed. “Shelly’s not a usual name for a dog. I was trying to tell Miranda my good news, that I’d rescued a pet, and I guess I was too playful with it. I said, ‘There’s a new woman in my life,’ and she ran with it. I got flustered
and didn’t correct her because—” He stopped short, not wanting to admit he was upset at Miranda getting engaged, and then didn’t want to look like a loser himself. “I didn’t know what to say, so I let her think Shelly was my girlfriend.”
Angelica slid her arm around him. “Well, you were just too sweet to correct her. I think that’s adorable.”
The woman behind the counter smiled at them. “These are all fifty-percent off today.” She pointed at a display of necklaces.
“Thanks,” Angelica said as she stepped away from him to look at the jewelry.
She picked out a silver necklace with a blue stone pendant, but when she turned to see the price tag, she faltered. “I don’t have enough.”
“I’ll pay for it.” It was out before he even realized he was going to say it.
Angelica grinned and cuddled up to him. “Thanks.”
Drew smiled back. He thought it would look good on her. When they left the shop, Angelica turned to him. “I have another awkward question, but I want you to be honest with me.”
Curious, he prodded her to continue. “Sure.”
“What’s up with you and Miranda? You obviously like her. Why haven’t you ever dated?”
Drew exhaled. He really didn’t want to talk about Miranda with Angelica, but since he was starting to like her, he should at least try to explain things. “Want to go walk on the deck? It might be quieter.”
“Yes.”
They made their way to the glass door that led to the outside area. There were people milling about, but he was right, the noise level was lower. He leaned on the railing and looked out at the ocean. “Miranda and I have been friends for years.”
Angelica placed her hands on the railing beside him. “But you want more.” It wasn’t a question. She knew.
“I’ve always loved Miranda.” Saying the words out loud somehow lifted a burden he’d been carrying for far too long. A seagull circled in the distance and he fixed his gaze on it, his heart thudding in his chest.
“But she only sees you as a friend.”
If only. He tightened his grip on the railing. “A brother, actually, which is worse.”
“Ouch.”
He turned to her. “Right? You can fall in love with a friend. But a brother is just icky to think about romantically.”
Angelica gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’ve dealt with it.” Lie. He was still totally hung up on Miranda.
“You know what I think you should do?” Angelica’s lips curled up into a grin.
“What?” The question came out, even though he pretty much knew what she was going to say.
She leaned closer to him. “Let me help you make her jealous.”
He laughed. He hadn’t expected that. “What?”
She nudged him. “Seriously. A woman sometimes doesn’t know what she wants until another woman wants it.”
“Well, she did seem annoyed that I was with you.”
“See? It’s already working. Maybe she had thought of you as a brother, but now that she’s seeing you and me together, that might open her mind to the possibility of more. Maybe she just hasn’t seen you being wanted by a woman.” She lowered her lashes.
Drew considered her words. Could that be true? If he and Angelica started up something, would Miranda finally see him in a different light?
He sighed. At this point he’d try just about anything. He was tired of Miranda looking at him like a best friend. He placed his hands on her hips. “You really think that would work?”
She reached up and put her arms around his neck. “Definitely. And even if it doesn’t, we’ll have some fun. Nothing serious. A cruise ship romance is just what you need.” She pulled him down until their lips met.
As he kissed her, he wondered what kissing Miranda would be like. He inwardly groaned. This had better work, because nothing was pulling his brain away from Miranda.
***
Miranda tried to take a nap, but something about Drew and Angelica hanging out made her blood pressure rise, and after fifteen minutes of tossing and turning, she gave up. What was Angelica doing? She knew he had a girlfriend. She sure had no issues flirting with him anyway. What if she succeeded in drawing him in? What if he left Shelly? Miranda would almost feel responsible. If she hadn’t had dinner with Zachary last night, she might have been able to stop Angelica before this whole thing started.
After slipping on her shoes and making sure her room card was in her pocket, Miranda stepped out of her cabin and headed for the shops. Maybe she could catch up to them.
She peeked in all the shops they’d visited yesterday, but didn’t see Drew or Angelica. Puzzled, she continued to look for them. They weren’t at the burger joint, nor out by the pool. But when she was about to check the hot tub area, she spied them on the deck. She froze as she watched Angelica reach up and draw his lips down to hers.
Miranda’s mouth went dry. No. Drew pulled back and smiled at Angelica. What was he doing? What about Shelly? Panic closed Miranda’s throat and all thought left her brain. She burst out onto the deck. “Drew, we need to talk.”
Drew’s head snapped up and he jumped back from Angelica, his eyes wide. “Miranda, what are you doing here?”
“Excuse us,” she said to Angelica, who looked stunned. She grabbed Drew’s arm and tugged him over to the stairs. When they were a deck lower, she rounded on him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Drew stared at her, his mouth half-open.
“You. . .” She poked his chest. “Have a girlfriend.”
He swallowed and reached out to her, but she backed away. She wasn’t going to listen to any excuses. “You’re cheating on Shelly! How could you?” Her hands shook with fury.
“Miranda, listen,” Drew said. “It’s not like that.”
“How can you say it’s not like that? You were kissing her!”
Several people on the deck turned to look at them. Miranda grabbed his arm and tugged him further down, where fewer people milled about. She stopped and turned to him, folding her arms. “Explain yourself.”
He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Turning away from her, he looked out at the water. He whispered a curse and ran his hand through his hair. “I didn’t want to tell you like this.”
“Tell me what?”
“Shelly’s his dog.” Angelica stepped out from behind him.
Drew shot Miranda a painful expression. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lie to you.”
Shock rang through Miranda. “Wait, what?” How could that be true? A dog?
Angelica walked up to him and slid her arm around his waist. “You misunderstood and thought he was talking about a woman, and Drew didn’t know how to tell you.”
Miranda’s stomach soured. “You told her about this? But you couldn’t tell me?” Her voice cracked.
Drew looked like he wanted to jump overboard. “I’m sorry.”
Heat flamed in her cheeks. Shelly was a dog, not his girlfriend. And she’d made such a big deal about her. No wonder he was embarrassed to say anything. She was such an idiot. Blinking to hold back the tears, she turned from them. He’d only known Angelica one day, and he’d already told her about this. She could imagine them laughing about it. Humiliation surged over her and she started walking away from them. She should have stayed in her room.
“Miranda, wait.”
Drew grabbed her arm but she jerked away, turning to glare at him. “I can’t believe you told her about this. I bet you two had a good laugh over it, didn’t you?”
Angelica smirked. Drew’s eyes widened. “No, I—”
“You should have told me. I thought we were friends.” She spat the last word out and turned to leave. Her footsteps fell hard on the wooden deck as she stalked off.
How could he make fun of her behind her back like that? What had happened to their friendship? Hot tears fell down her cheeks as she made her way to her room. A couple of people turned to stare at her
, but she ignored them.
She and Drew told each other everything. Well, almost everything. She couldn’t believe he’d let her think Shelly was his girlfriend. Didn’t he trust her more than that? Didn’t he think she’d understand if he told her the truth?
She slid her keycard into the slot and opened her door. Sinking down onto her bed, she covered her face with her hands. It wasn’t just that Drew had lied. It was the fact that he didn’t feel close enough to her to tell her the truth.
He was her best friend. But maybe they weren’t as close as she thought, and that crushed her soul.
Chapter 11
Drew stared at Miranda’s back as she retreated. “I have to go talk to her.”
Angelica pulled him to her. “No. Let her go. She needs time. Remember, we’re doing this to show her you’re datable. If you go running after her, it will solidify your friend status in her mind.”
Drew hesitated. Every muscle in his body wanted to run after her, but maybe Angelica was right. Maybe it was best to give her some space, and show her he wasn’t a doormat.
Angelica wrapped around his arm. “Come on. Let’s go. I haven’t tried the coffee shop yet, but Carol said it was amazing.”
He nodded and let her pull him into the throng of people walking to the back of the ship. They ordered drinks and Angelica found a table near the window so they could look out. Drew’s stomach knotted as he thought about how upset Miranda had been.
Angelica tapped the lid of her coffee. “How long have you lived in New York?”
He pulled his gaze away from the window. “Eleven years.”
“You said you grew up in Kansas. What made you move to New York?”
Miranda. He moved because he couldn’t stand seeing her dating Charlie Hunter. He moved to forget his crush. Clearly it hadn’t worked. He stared at the table, trying to figure out what to say. “I just needed a change in scenery.”
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