Drew straightened his Galactic Union uniform and knocked on Miranda’s cabin door. Her muffled response came through. “Just a second.”
As he stood in the hallway, waiting for her, he tried not to fret over Zachary Dunham. He knew Miranda, and it was usually not very long after she broke up with someone that she had another man on her arm. It wasn’t all her fault, though. She was cute without even meaning to be.
The door swung open and Miranda waved him in. “I’m almost ready.” She leaned over, trying to get an earring in.
He walked behind her and pulled her hair out of the way, which probably was a mistake, because his chest tightened with his close proximity. “Let me help you,” he managed to say.
She finished getting it in. “Thanks.” She turned to him, and he couldn’t help but notice how nice she looked. She could have been a cast member of the show. She wore the uniform well. She definitely could give Daphne Porter a run for her money.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s head to deck twelve.” She patted him on the shoulder. “You look nice, by the way. Almost sexy.”
He couldn’t hide his smile. “Almost?”
She cocked her head at him, as if trying to decide what to say. Finally, she said, “Ditch the glasses.”
“Seriously?” He took his glasses off and turned toward the bathroom mirror. Unfortunately everything was too blurry to see. “What’s wrong with my glasses?”
“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
She seemed flustered, but he persisted anyway. “No, tell me.”
She didn’t meet his gaze. “You look good without them.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Miranda liked him without his glasses? “Then I’ll go put my contacts in.”
“Okay, but hurry. I don’t want to be too late.” She shoved him out the door.
He rifled through his suitcase until he came up with his contacts and solution. He didn’t wear them often; it was just easier to slip on his glasses. He washed his hands and popped them in.
Miranda was in the hall when he got outside. Her gaze traveled over him and she bit her lip. He wasn’t sure that was good, but she gave him a thumbs-up. “Nice. Now let’s go.”
They got on the elevators with several other couples dressed in other Star Venture outfits. They followed the noise until they entered the large, dimly lit room crammed full of people. There was a stage on the far side. Mark Rushford and Daphne Porter were already on the stage. The cruise ship entertainment director, Aiden, stood at the mic introducing the next cast member.
“Let’s give it up for Gina Hummel!”
The actress stepped out from behind the curtain wearing the shimmery dress her character always wore, and sporting her forehead ridges. The crowd cheered and clapped. She raised her hand in a classic Zee pose while people took pictures and videos with their phones. Miranda tugged him closer to the stage. “Come on, there’s a spot up here.”
Aiden cleared his throat. “And who can forget the teen cyborg found on Alganore? Let’s give it up for Zachary Dunham!”
Zachary waltzed out, his face made up to look half-machine, half-human. He wore his cyborg outfit as well, and walked with his signature limp. The audience went wild. Miranda turned to Drew. “He looks so different all made up.”
Drew nodded politely. He wasn’t a big fan of Zachary Dunham right now.
“She was the youngest cast member, getting the role at the young age of eight. Playing the captain’s daughter on-board the ship, let’s give a warm welcome to Brooklyn Scott!”
Drew was surprised to see how much Brooklyn had changed. She’d grown up all right, and her hair was dyed pink, maybe for a current role? He wasn’t sure. He clapped his hands along with the crowd.
“And now, the star of the show . . . the man everyone came aboard to meet. On television, he’s known as Captain Lyle Crosby. Give it up for Mr. Peter Walker!”
Drew could barely hear anything around the sound of the crowd cheering. Peter came out on stage, looking even more dignified than he had earlier. He waved and smiled, then did the salute that was on almost every episode. He smiled again and stepped to the side to be with the other cast members.
They started a Q&A session, passing the microphone around the crowd. Drew leaned over. “Are you going to ask your question?”
“I’ll ask Zachary later, after the show, when we hang out.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. Hadn’t he cautioned her about that?
“Didn’t I tell you?” A guilty look flooded her face. “Sorry, I think I forgot. He said he wants to get to know us.”
Drew wanted to question the “us” part of that, but didn’t say anything. It was clear to him what Zachary Dunham wanted. He nodded, smoothing out his features so he didn’t show his disapproval. He’d just have to stick close by Miranda and try to shield her from any harm.
After the show, the cast members stepped off the stage and mingled with the audience. Zachary made his way to them. He stuck out his hand. “Drake, right? Miranda talks very highly of you.”
“It’s Drew.” He shook Zachary’s hand.
Zachary didn’t apologize for his mistake, but instead turned to Miranda. “Did you enjoy the show?”
Irritation itched under Drew’s skin. Why couldn’t Miranda see what a jerk this guy was? Miranda nodded and grinned. “Yes. But I have a question I wanted to ask you privately.” She grabbed onto Zachary’s arm like she usually grabbed his, and a surge of jealousy rose in him. “Remember the episode where you get stabbed and are lying in that cave? I think the episode was called—”
“Casualty,” they both said.
Zachary grinned. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Were you wearing lipstick in that scene in the cave?” Miranda pinched her lips together, like she couldn’t stand to breathe while she waited for his answer.
Zachary tossed his head back and laughed.
When he didn’t say anything further, Miranda whacked his chest. “Come on. It totally looked like a crimson lipstick.”
A cocky look came over Zachary and he winked at Miranda. “I don’t want to incriminate myself.”
“What does that mean?” Drew asked.
Zachary shrugged and gave Miranda a smoldering look. “I may or may not have been making out with one of the writer’s daughters before that scene was filmed.”
A server walked up to Zachary and handed him a drink. Miranda rolled her eyes and huffed. “Are you serious? It wasn’t makeup for filming in low lighting?”
Zachary took a sip from his drink and sobered. “I don’t wear lipstick for any scene. If these lips have anything on them, it’s because I kissed it off a woman.”
“Weren’t you like fourteen at the time?” Drew didn’t do much to hide his disgust.
“Sixteen. And these lips have always been well sought after by the ladies.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Miranda, who either didn’t notice or didn’t react to it. Zachary took a step back. “Well, I’d better go mingle. I’m still on duty. Wait for me here and I’ll join you after the party.” He squeezed Miranda’s shoulder and disappeared into the crowd.
Drew wanted to ask her how she could stand being around him, but he held his tongue. It wouldn’t do any good. Miranda grabbed Drew’s arm, and he saw Peter Walker approaching them.
Peter greeted them. “Have you enjoyed your evening?”
Miranda nodded. Apparently she was still starstruck around Peter Walker. Drew stepped in to save her. “Yes, the show was great. I had no idea they started filming with Harry Thurman in your role. I’m glad they switched. You did such a great job on the show.”
Peter smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you.” He squinted at Miranda. “Wait, are you the couple on your honeymoon? I recognize your face. That’s so wonderful. I wanted to congratulate you.”
Miranda paled. She opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out.
Drew shook his head, but before he had a chance to say anything, Peter went on. “I�
��m so thrilled you chose our cruise for your honeymoon. What a special occasion.” He put his arm around Miranda. “You chose a fine young man,” he said, looking at Drew. “I predict you’ll have a long and happy marriage.”
Miranda gave him a weak smile. “Thanks.”
Oh, no. She couldn’t correct him. She must be mortified. Drew struggled with what to say in response. Gina Hummel walked up to them. Her long, dark hair hung down her back, although up close it looked like a wig. Her caked-on makeup didn’t quite hide her aging skin. She must be in her sixties now, approaching seventy. She nudged Peter aside. “Is this the couple who just got married?” She took Miranda into an embrace. “Congratulations!” she said with flamboyance.
Miranda’s cheeks grew pink, and Drew finally got a word in edgewise. “Actually, we’re not—”
Miranda kicked his shin. “Thank you so much,” Miranda said to them both, shooting a look at Drew he couldn’t quite interpret. “We are honored you took the time to congratulate us.”
After Gina and Peter moved on to mingle with others, Drew raised an eyebrow at Miranda. She put her hands on her cheeks. “I know, I know. I should have let you correct them. I was just too embarrassed. I don’t want them to know I got left at the altar.”
“It wasn’t quite the altar.”
“Doesn’t matter. I just want to forget it ever happened.”
“You’d rather pretend we’re married?” Why did that irritate him? Maybe because of what she said to her mother on the phone. His dinner churned in his stomach.
She shrugged and gave him one of her half-smiles. “It’s not like they’re going to follow us to see we’re in separate cabins.”
“Right. But. . .” he let his words drift off. There were plenty of awkward situations he could think of that could arise if they didn’t set everyone straight. But who was he to share Miranda’s unpleasant news? She was a grown woman. She could tell anyone she wanted. And if she didn’t want to correct them, who was he to butt in?
They met the rest of the cast as they worked the room. The party ended at eleven and the crowd dissipated. A man came out with a broom and started sweeping the floor. Drew leaned against the wall and studied Miranda. “You look tired.”
“It’s been a long day. Is the swaying of the ship making you feel sick?” Miranda put her hand on her stomach.
“No. I thought you brought motion sickness pills.”
“I did, but they’re in my room. Maybe I should tell Zachary—”
“Tell me what?” Zachary appeared from behind the stage. All his cyborg implants were gone, his hair back to its perfect self.
Miranda turned around. “Maybe we should call it a night. I’m tired and not feeling very well.”
“What?” Zachary pulled out his phone to look at the screen. “It’s only eleven fifteen. The night is young. I think the party moved to the dance club. Come on, you’ll feel better once you have something to drink.”
Miranda bit her lip, like she wanted to tell him no, but couldn’t quite do it.
“I don’t think Miranda wants to go dancing,” Drew said, trying to hold his annoyance in.
Zachary scowled at him, then turned to Miranda. “Let’s let Miranda talk for herself.”
Ouch. Now he felt like a jerk.
Miranda shrugged her shoulders. “I guess we could go for a little bit. Come on, Drew. Let’s go check it out.”
She gave him a pleading look and he nodded. “Alright.”
The dance club was on a lower deck, so they walked to the stairs. Flashing lights and loud music greeted them as they entered. Drew clenched his teeth as Zachary pulled Miranda out onto the dance floor. He watched them dance for a second before the fast song ended and a slow song started up. Zachary pulled Miranda close.
Drew closed his eyes. He couldn’t watch someone else make the moves on Miranda. His heart would break into two. He walked to the other side of the dance floor. If this was how the night would go, maybe he’d just leave.
Someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see one of the single women from his dinner table. “Hey, I thought that was you. Drew, right?”
Oh, crud. He didn’t remember her name. “Yes.” He paused, hoping she’d supply it, but when she just kept smiling at him, he confessed. “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”
“Angelica.”
He stuck out his hand, then thought that might be a dumb thing to do, but he couldn’t take it back. Luckily, she shook his hand and didn’t seem to think it was weird. She smoothed down her shimmery dress, a classic Zee outfit.
“Where’s your friend?”
“Carol? She wasn’t feeling well and went to bed. I think it’s just motion sickness.”
“I hope she feels better soon.”
“Me too.”
The silence started to turn awkward, so he pointed to the dance floor. “Do you want to dance?”
Her smile brightened. “Sure.”
He walked to an empty spot and took her in his arms. As he moved to the music he glanced over at Miranda dancing with Zachary. Miranda wasn’t looking at her dance partner. She was staring at Drew.
And by the frown on her face, he could tell she wasn’t happy.
Chapter 8
Miranda couldn’t believe Drew was dancing with some woman he didn’t even know. What was he doing? He had a girlfriend. And the woman he was dancing with was beautiful. How did he have time to even meet a woman on board the ship? Did he walk up to a random stranger and ask her to dance?
Zachary cleared his throat. “Hey, you with me?”
“Huh?” She turned to him. “What do you mean?”
“You’re staring at that Drake guy.”
“Drew.”
“Whatever. You into him? I thought you were just friends.”
She shook her head. “No. I mean yes. We’re just friends, nothing more.” Her gaze involuntarily snapped back to Drew and the woman clinging to him.
“You’re doing it again.” Zachary sounded annoyed.
“Sorry. I’m just shocked. Drew has a girlfriend. I’m not sure why he’s dancing with that woman.”
Zachary glanced over. “Maybe because this is a dance club?”
His eyes held mirth, and Miranda giggled. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m being silly.”
The song ended and Miranda wiggled out of his grasp. She walked to a table. Tall barstool-type chairs stood around it. “I need to sit for a minute,” she said, sliding onto one of the leather-upholstered seats.
“No problem.” Zachary smiled and sat next to her.
Drew and the woman he was dancing with joined her at the table. “Miranda, this is Angelica. She’s one of the women at our dinner table.”
Ah, so that’s how he knew her. Angelica looked like a bird. Long legs and a little beak-like nose, although somehow it fit her. She had blonde hair and a Zee costume that probably was custom made by how it fit her. What was she doing hanging around Drew? Miranda forced a smile. “Nice to meet you.” She motioned. “You probably know Zachary.”
Angelica’s eyes widened. “You’re Zachary Dunham.”
“Yes, I am.” He stuck out his hand, and when she took it he pulled her hand to his lips. Angelica blushed.
A server walked up to the table. He tapped his pencil on a pad of paper. “Would you like anything to drink?”
“I’ll take a Manhattan,” Zachary said.
“I want a martini.” Angelica turned to Drew. “Do you want anything?”
“I’ll have a Diet Coke,” Drew said.
Miranda bit her lip. The drinks were so expensive, and she’d spent so much on the wedding that didn’t happen, she really couldn’t afford anything extra. “Nothing for me.”
Drew looked at her. “Why not?” She could tell he knew what she was thinking, and the next thing out of his mouth confirmed it. “I’ll pay.”
Zachary slid his arm around her shoulders. “No, don’t worry about it. I’ll pay for your drink. Order whatever you want.”
Drew tensed. “She likes Diet Coke.”
Zachary frowned. “Maybe she wants something different. Go ahead, get anything, don’t worry about the cost.”
Miranda stared between the two men and the server. What was she supposed to say? Drew was right, she really wanted a Coke. Maybe it would settle her stomach. She still felt a little queasy. She cleared her throat. “Actually, I do want a Diet Coke.”
Drew sat back, a smug look on his face.
“Okay, fine. Diet Coke it is,” Zachary said.
The server wrote down their drinks and left.
Angelica looked around the table. “How do you all know each other?”
“Miranda and I met by accident today. I tossed my drink onto her shirt in order to get to know her better.” A devilish grin appeared on Zachary’s face.
Miranda’s mouth popped open. That couldn’t be true, could it? She whacked him on the chest. “You did not. It was an accident.”
Zachary winked at her, and Drew’s mouth pulled down into a frown.
“And what about you two?” Angelica pointed to Drew and Miranda.
“We grew up together,” Drew said. “We used to watch Star Venture as kids. We’ve been friends ever since.”
Angelica did a double take. “And you’ve never dated?”
Miranda shook her head. “No.”
“Wow. That’s almost impossible to believe.”
Miranda’s gaze landed on Drew. He was looking at Angelica and smiling. It was one of his wide smiles he usually used when they were joking around together. She nodded and forced herself to look away. “Yeah.”
A couple of women came up to the table. One stepped up to Zachary. “We were wondering if you would take a selfie with us?” The girls giggled.
Zachary smiled. “Of course.” He leaned back and let them flank him, holding out their cell phones. After they took the photo they walked off.
Four more sets of adoring fans approached Zachary before the drinks arrived. Miranda wasn’t quite sure what to think until he waved everyone off and gave her a one-arm hug. “I want to be with my girl now.”
Drew gave him a dark look. Angelica turned to Drew. “So, is it horrible of me to confess that after we met at the dinner table I googled you?”
Her Big Fat Foxy Billionaire Best Friend (Billionaire Series Book 2) Page 5