“MADDIE, LIGHTEN UP.” Lily tugged her arm away slightly, but not enough to remove her best friend’s death grip as they walked up the cruise-ship gangway with all the other passengers. “We’ll be there soon.”
Maddie muttered calming mantras, attempting to counteract her aversion of large crowds in small spaces.
Knowing Maddie’s fear, Lily had been surprised when she suggested a cruise as Lily’s first foray into freedom.
“I’m trying,” Maddie said through gritted teeth. A push from behind jostled them.
Lily grabbed the rail and turned to look.
The elderly woman to their rear had lost her footing. Her husband steadied her. “Easy, Ethel,” he said. “Sorry,” he remarked to Lily and Maddie.
Lily nodded in understanding. Beyond the couple, a blond-haired man caught her eye, and her breath hitched. There was something familiar about his stance and shoulders. She shook her head.
It couldn’t be him.
“Lily, keep moving,” Maddie panted with anxiety, her face pale under her perfect makeup. The summer heat was no match for her film makeup skills.
With slow progress, they finally made their way onto the deck of the Bella Amore.
Maddie wasted no time getting them out of the throng and into their cabin. “I need air.” She muscled her suitcase onto her bed, narrowly missing the cute towel animal in the center, and bolted out the balcony door.
After setting her own suitcase next to a tiny box of chocolate mints on the other bed, Lily followed. She couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Maddie inhaling deeply. “At least you don’t have a fear of heights. Are you sure you can live through this?”
Maddie held up a hand. “Give me a minute. I’ll be fine.”
Lily stepped to the railing and admired the view of Nice. The salty tang in the air teased her nose. “This is amazing!” She couldn’t stop her voice from squealing. It was her first trip outside the United States, and she had high hopes it wouldn’t be her last. Since selling her half of the co-owned Etsy company, Lily Jane, she was wealthy, homeless, and unemployed. Thoughts of her future left her feeling both excited and terrified.
Maddie’s color returned. “I couldn’t believe you had the energy to go dancing after we flew into France yesterday.”
Lily shrugged. “You were the one who said to embrace life.”
“Embrace, yes. Dive in head first and drown in it, no.”
“Usually, you’re the one coordinating my social life.” Lily wagged a finger at her.
“Well, after that last film, I got sucked a little dry.” Maddie had enjoyed doing vampire makeup for the past few months on a film, but the owl hours had taken their toll on her joie de vivre.
Lily groaned. “That was a terrible joke.”
“Yes, it was,” agreed Maddie, pulling her brown curls up into a messy ponytail. At five-foot-four, Maddie had to adjust her gaze up to look at Lily with her five-foot-nine height.
“Shall we freshen up or go explore?” Lily tugged up the strap on her light-blue sundress.
“Both, but in a minute. I want to give the crowds a chance to disperse a little.”
“That’s fine. I don’t mind taking in the view.” Lily stared at the shore. She loved the look of the white buildings with orange roofs, the trees swaying in the Riviera breeze. One building had contrasting blue balconies. Her fingers itched to create a fabric with those colors and turn them into a handbag.
On the plane, she’d been inspired with a new pattern, which wouldn’t contradict her termination agreement. It stipulated she couldn’t use any designs or fabrics she’d created for the company. She’d have to start from scratch as if the past eight years hadn’t happened. She pulled out her cell phone, which operated only on Wi-Fi since she’d opted not to upgrade it to international status. It felt uncomfortably freeing to be so inaccessible.
“C’mon, let’s get a selfie,” Lily suggested.
The women put their backs to the scene and their heads together while Lily snapped the picture.
“The first of many.” Maddie smoothed her hot pink T-shirt over her curvy hips. A white linen skirt highlighted her natural tan, which would only get darker as they sailed farther south in Italy. “Okay, let’s do this.”
Ten minutes later, the women left their cabin to explore the ship. Maddie had studied the ship’s plans extensively, and she guided them around while Lily felt lost most of the time with so many staircases, elevators, and decks to keep track of.
“I need a map.” Lily pulled her bun out and let her blond hair fall down her back.
“I need to eat. Let’s hit the buffet.”
The aromas of contrasting foods made Lily’s nose crinkle. She could really go for some nachos, her preferred comfort food. As they stood in line, Lily looked around. There were plenty of hungry passengers at the tables. The sight of one made her heart trip as he tipped his head back laughing. She recognized those defined arms under an aqua polo that matched his eyes.
“What?” Maddie asked, grabbing a plate and handing one to Lily.
“Be subtle, but look over to our left about five tables. The blond guy. Does he seem familiar?” Lily waited with her heart palpitating. Please, don’t let it be him. What were the chances?
Maddie went up on her tiptoes, her hips swaying as she balanced. “I don’t see. Wait.” She turned back to Lily with wide eyes. “I think it’s the guy you danced with last night. But I can’t be sure without seeing his face. Hold on.” Maddie craned her neck again. She swung back around and accidentally knocked the plate from Lily’s hand. The crash of china on the tile floor drew the gaze of the nearby passengers.
Lily knelt immediately, but not fast enough to keep him from noticing her. “I think he saw me,” she moaned to Maddie as she gathered the shards.
“Is that so bad?”
“Yes, it’s that bad. It’s the guy from last night! The one I tried to kiss, who turned me down.” She blushed.
Maddie’s mouth formed an O.
“Please, miss, we’ll take care of that.” A steward with a broom and dustpan motioned for her to stop. “Were you hurt?”
Lily checked her flip-flopped feet. No cuts. “No, I’m good, thanks.”
“Need help?” a man inquired, extending an outstretched palm.
Lily looked up to see the blond guy standing in front of her. She gulped. “Uh.”
Maddie gave her an encouraging nod.
“Thanks.” Lily took his hand, unable to ignore the tingle traveling up her arm from his touch. She’d felt it the night before too. She released him upon standing.
“You’re welcome to sit with us.” He gestured toward two empty seats next to his friend at the table.
“We wouldn’t want to intrude.” Lily willed the blush to drain from her cheeks.
“Lily,” Maddie whispered, her tone clearly indicating acceptance to the invitation.
His eyes bounced between the expressions of the two women. “Lily?” he asked. “Is that your name? I never got it last night.” His cerulean eyes twinkled at her.
The heat in her cheeks increased. “Um, yes, sorry about that.”
“I’m Zander.” Pointing to his table he said, “And that’s Connor.”
Mute, Lily took an interest in the peach flowers on her flip-flops, watching Maddie out of the corner of her eye.
With a how-can-you-be-so-rude look at Lily, Maddie extended her hand and shook Zander’s. “I’m Maddie. We’d be happy to sit with you.”
“Excellent.” He sauntered away, and Lily tore her eyes from his physique right before he sat.
With a chuckle, Maddie said, “You’re as red as a tomato.”
“Great.” They reentered the line. Lily barely registered what food she piled on her plate. She was too busy concentrating on getting her anxiously thrumming body under control. “I can’t believe this is happening. Why did he have to be on the cruise? I’m so embarrassed by the way I acted with him last night. It wasn’t like me at all. I’m nor
mally more cautious with men. I didn’t think I’d ever see him again, so I didn’t worry about my behavior. Stupid!”
With a wicked grin, Maddie agreed. “You weren’t exactly subtle on the dance floor.” She patted Lily’s arm. “Lily, this is only the beginning. You have eleven days of embarrassment ahead of you. But, you know, seeing as how he’s so good-looking, it could be worse.”
Lily pursed her lips. How bad would it be to jump off a ship before it even left port? No, that would only add to her notoriety. She’d have to tough it out and restrain herself from being captivated by his blue eyes for the rest of the cruise.
Did you love Once Upon A Wish?
Check out the Indulgence Row series by Danyelle Ferguson
Sweet Confections
2015 RONE Award for Best Contemporary Sweet Romance
According to Rachel Marconi chocolate heals all wounds. That and throwing darts at pictures of her ex-boyfriend. Burned by yet another bad relationship, Rachel decides to reprioritize her life, putting her dream to compete on a Food Network Challenge on the top of her list and dating at the bottom crossed out in red sharpie.
Cue in Graydon Green, a former pro hockey player turned restaurant owner. After a lot of persistent and humorous teasing, he finally convinces Rachel to commit to a date. Just when things begin to warm up, threatening notes directed at Rachel arrive. When her bakery is vandalized, Graydon's protective streak goes on red alert. Is it her obsessive ex-boyfriend stalking her? Or maybe a challenger trying to sabotage the competition?
Either way, Rachel is definitely going to need more chocolate - perhaps drizzled over ice cream and devil's food cake.
Love Under Construction
Charlee was angry . . .
What do you do when your boss makes someone else the lead on a big renovation project that should rightfully be yours? You quit. On second thought, that might not be the best idea, but Charlee Jackson has never been one for second thoughts. Instead, she lands a big contract of her own. She’s jumping into her new life—work boots, tool belt and all. Now she just needs to form a company and hire contractors and buy supplies and get an office . . . and not fall in love with her former boss's son. Yeah. Definitely not that last one.
Peter was torn . . .
You can’t date someone who works for you, but now that his dad let Charlee walk out the door, Peter Elliot is considering his options. Charlee was their top renovation expert, his best friend’s sister, and the only thing that made the drudgery of running a large construction business bearable. But how do you date a competitor, especially one your father is trying to drive out of business? It would be stupid to make your dad angry right before he retires and hands the company over to you. Right?
When Charlee and Peter are scheduled to work on the same Indulgence Row house, their feelings and priorities are put to the test. They need to make a choice, and they better be quick about it, because the whole mixture is curing fast and threatening to crumble to pieces.
Acknowledgements
A big round of applause goes to . . .
*drum roll, please*
Tamara Heiner, the amazing editing chick.
Steven Novak, cover designer extraordinaire.
Lisa Swinton, my European adventure brainstorming chick.
Heather Justesen, who has instant download access to at least half of my writer's brain.
My awesome review team. *waves madly from recliner*
The munchkins. We may not live in Oz, but you are cute and adorable, no matter how old you are! *big squishy hugs*
Mr. Ferguson. xoxoxo
About the Author
Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. Since then, she’s won several awards and has been published world-wide in newspapers, magazines and books. She’s grateful every day to work in her dream jobs – author, editor, and nurturing her readaholic tendencies.
She grew up surrounded by Pennsylvania’s beautiful Allegheny Mountains. Then lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and four angels-in-training. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing & singing in the kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”
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Once Upon a Wish (Destined for Love: Europe) Page 10