by Stacy Juba
Gabriel thrust a mike into her face as the crew gathered around them. "How does it feel to come so close to winning?" he asked in his smooth silky voice.
She forced a dry laugh, reminding herself to act gracious. "It's great."
"Tell us the truth, Cassidy. Is second place good enough?"
"I would have liked to win, but Reggie played a good game. What can I say?"
Reggie Elliott swaggered over, black stallion tattoos gyrating on his muscular biceps as he pumped his arms high over his head. Cassidy shook her head in disbelief.He danced and pointed with both hands, then cocked a double thumbs-up for the cameras. On second thought, she could think of a few things to say, but all of them would get bleeped out.
"The champion!" he yelled. "Yeah!"
"How will you spend the money, Reggie?" Gabriel asked.
Reggie winked. "Buy myself a Jacuzzi and invite over some ladies. Hey, Cassidy, want to come over for another dip?" He leered at her, an overgrown beetle with his bushy black eyebrows and bald skull. Maybe she equated him to an insect because he was a pest.
"With you? I’d rather walk the plank." Cassidy strode out of camera range and hastened toward the bow, away from the production crew. One of the producers, a middle-aged woman she’d truly liked, fell into step beside her.
"Cassidy, we have a counselor available to you back at the studio," the producer said, brimming with sympathy. "I know how tough it must be to make it this far, then ..."
"That’s okay," Cassidy interrupted. "I don’t need a counselor."
"You have to talk with him for one session and sign a paper stating that you’ve been seen. We required that of all the contestants."
Cassidy’s eyebrows shot up. "In case anyone decides to jump for real?Like off the Brooklyn Bridge? I’ll meet with him, but it’s not necessary." She was bummed, not suicidal.
"I’m afraid it is, legality-wise. Thanks, hon."
Finally left alone, Cassidy pressed her elbows against the rail. Manhattan skyscrapers rose through the pearl gray mist, looming outlines ghostly. Land.
This time it wasn't a tease. Soon she'd walk solid ground. No more staring wistfully as the Atlantic Devil cut endless circles through the North Atlantic, passing Nova Scotia, Iceland and Greenland.
No more scrubbing toilets, chipping paint off bulkheads or climbing ratlines to furl a sail. After the wrap-up stint in New York, she was going home, back to Garrett, Massachusetts, a quiet town no one had ever heard of. She'd sleep in her warm bed instead of a wire-frame airless berth stacked three tiers high.
Cassidy wished she could hibernate in that bed. She cringed, picturing herself crawling back to her boss Spike and resuming her lowly role as assistant manager of his health club. Spike would crack plank jokes for weeks, while everyone else would feel sorry for her.
Then there was her kid brother, who idolized her, at least until now. He must be crestfallen.
Lacing her fingers, Cassidy leaned over the railing. Choppy gray water led to the Statue of Liberty. The lady's spiked crown, raised torch and flowing robes splintered Cassidy’s heart with dread.
As much as she craved the comforts of land, nothing could change the reality that she was going home a loser.
Chapter Two
Cassidy sat poised in her chair as former contestants filed onto the soundstage at WBC in New York. Together, the studio audience and television viewers had watched the recorded footage of her walking the plank. Gabriel would now interview the competitors from the inaugural season one final time.
More importantly, he would announce her prize. If it erased most of her debts, then it would at least make this whole embarrassing experience worthwhile. Cassidy’s heart kicked in her chest and sweat moistened her brow.
As one of her old teammates entered, her heart rate skyrocketed for a different reason. Josh Sanchioni slid into a bucket seat, carrying himself stiffer than normal in his sharp gray suit. Studio lights caught his sunbleached strawberry blonde waves, brightening the reddish gold tints.
Cassidy slipped her gaze to his leather shoes. If Josh hadn’t been engaged, they could have been an item. Instead, they’d been good friends until that one evening when the cameras were off and they almost kissed. They’d both realized their mistake and backed away. Things were strained until Josh walked the plank a week later.
Tonight, not only did Cassidy have to face Josh, she would probably meet his fiancée.
Her cheeks heating, Cassidy focused on the competitor beside Josh as a distraction. Adam Horton sat erect, hands folded in the lap of his olive green khakis. He wasn’t military, but he dressed like an Army wannabe. His reptilian eyes drilled into Cassidy, his angular face revealing the shape of bones underneath. A blond goatee darkened his pointy chin.
Cassidy shuddered involuntarily. Adam never said much, but he made her uncomfortable just the same. She’d sense someone watching her on the ship and Adam would be lurking in the hatches. Luckily, he only lasted on the show two weeks.
"Before we catch up with our former contestants, I’d like to congratulate Cassidy on a job well done," Gabriel said in the middle of the circle.
Applause thundered from the audience and a wave of excitement crested over her. Cassidy offered a smile for the cameras as Gabriel finished, "I’m proud to present you with your prize – a luxury vacation for two to the Bahamas on a real cruise ship with $3,000 spending money!"
Dumbfounded, Cassidy watched as a video depicted a majestic ocean liner on the large TV screen. "Set sail with us to the Bahamas, where you can swim with dolphins in turquoise waters, relax on sugar white beaches and explore the island’s history as a haven for pirates," said the female announcer in a voice-over. "On your voyage, you can enjoy our ten lounges, two outdoor pools, luxury spa, casino, cinema, dynamite shows, and glass walls and elevators that get you up close to the ocean views."
Another boat? More ocean views? Were they friggin’ serious? A frozen smile hovered on Cassidy’s lips. Too bad she’d already seen the counselor that afternoon and he’d attested that all her screws were still in place. This travesty might be enough to unhinge her.
As the video montage ended, boos erupted from the crowd and several people jumped to their feet.
"No fair!"
"Give her a real prize!"
"Cheapskates!"
The thrill of the jeers rippled down Cassidy’s spine, their zealousness stunning her. Granted, her little brother had been the heckler to yell "Cheapskates," but the other supporters weren’t relatives.
"You seem to have some disappointed fans," Gabriel remarked as a camera panned the crowd. "What do you have to say about the prize, Cassidy?"
She bit down her real opinion and replied, "I’m overwhelmed people care, but this cruise looks a lot more relaxing than my time on Sink or Swim."
"We knew you’d enjoy it," Gabriel said. "Who wouldn’t welcome an opportunity to be pampered on a luxury ocean liner?"
Cassidy scoffed inwardly. Perhaps someone who’d been trapped on a schooner for three months.
After the broadcast, Cassidy escaped the sound stage before she blurted out something ungrateful. She glimpsed a production assistant leading her mother, brother, and other special guests off the set, weaning them away from the audience members who’d obtained free tickets for the taping but weren’t invited to the cast party.
When Adam touched her arm in the hallway, the hairs bristled on end.
"I missed you, Cassidy," he said. "I’ve been counting the days till this reunion."
"Hi, Adam," she said with resignation. "Good to see you."
Reggie lumbered by them in a dark brown suit befitting a Mafia hit man with his broad shoulders and sunken neck. He pivoted and walked backwards. "Hey, Horty, I'm surprised you showed. What'd you last, two episodes? Remember when you spilled paint on the deck and cost our team fifty points? What a klutz." Laughing, he swaggered down the hallway.
Adam's mouth pinched into a scowl and red flushed up to his peach fuzz crew cut.
"You should have gotten first place. Not him."
It was nice to be supported, but this guy was too intense. Still, he didn’t deserve to be the butt of Reggie’s ridicule.
"Thanks," Cassidy said. "Don’t listen to Reggie, he’s a creep. We all thought so. Catch you later, okay? I’ve got to find my family."
She ducked downstairs to the cafeteria. Balloons and streamers transformed the surroundings into a glittering cascade of blue and gold, the colors in the Sink or Swim logo SOS. Cassidy accepted a wine glass from a black-coated waiter and glanced around for her mother and fourteen-year-old brother. They’d reunited briefly at the hotel that afternoon, sharing a few hugs and a quick lunch, then Cassidy had to rush off for counseling, hair and makeup. Her family was probably getting a VIP tour of the studio.
Cassidy found herself near a blue and gold decorated table, showcasing an elaborate sheet cake of the Atlantic Devil, her home for the past several weeks. She downed her white wine in one long gulp.
Gabriel slithered up beside her. His dark tailored sports coat hugged his slender build. "I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’m sorry for your loss."
He sounded as if he was extending condolences at a funeral. He hadn’t been that sorry when he’d ordered her to the plank.
"Thank you," Cassidy said.
"Sorry I had to be rough and ask you all those questions. The audience expects me to be cutthroat." Gabriel laughed his silky laugh.
"That was the deal when I signed on. Life in a fish bowl."
"If you ever want to visit a larger fish bowl, look me up in L.A. I’ll show you around the hot spots. We could have some fun."
Cassidy didn’t miss the innuendo. "I doubt I’ll get out there."
"Maybe someday. Until then, have a great time on your cruise." Gabriel smacked a wet one on her cheek and disappeared into the crowd. As he left, Cassidy grimaced and wiped off his saliva.
"Cass!" Josh threaded his way toward her with a willowy blonde lagging behind in a navy designer business suit. The couple's light hair and perfect tans were straight out of California.
Terrific. Cassidy should have enticed Gabriel to stick around rather than stand here alone, like, well, a loser.
"Great to see you!" Josh started toward her as if he were going for a hug, then stopped short like he’d thought better of it.
"Last time I saw you, buddy, you were jumping off a plank," Cassidy said in her most casual tone. She mentally cursed herself. Buddy?
His companion edged closer, manicured burgundy fingernails digging into his hand, thin sandy eyebrows puckered into a frown. Josh made the introductions.
"It's nice to meet you, Shannon," Cassidy said. "Josh has told me a lot about you."
"That’s funny." Shannon's cultured voice held a note of coldness. "I don't recall either of you mentioning my name when you were slow dancing at that party in week three. Or, any of the other episodes, for that matter."
Cassidy shoved her drained wine glass to her lips. Apparently, their chemistry hadn’t been as invisible as she’d hoped, but she and Josh had never acknowledged it. Even after that almost-kiss, they hadn’t discussed their feelings. How could they, with microphones listening 99 percent of the time?
She reminded herself that Shannon didn’t know about their near-indiscretion unless Josh had been dumb enough to tell her. And why would he? Nothing had happened.
"You’ve got to remember, they did a ton of editing," Cassidy said. "I’m guessing they took out a lot of stuff."
"Yeah, Cassidy wasn’t my only partner the night we danced," Josh said. "I danced with everyone on our team. I had to, I was the only guy on the team."
"Then why didn’t that get on television?" Shannon asked. "All they showed was a close-up of you two."
"I don’t know why they edited things the way they did," Josh said with a shrug.
"I don’t know either," Shannon shot back.
Cassidy’s hand tightened around her wine glass. She hadn’t won the big money. She hadn’t won the guy. All Cassidy had gotten out of this deal was a cruise she’d gladly give back. "Let me explain it to you. Ratings. Sex sells, even when it isn’t there. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about with Josh."
Shannon snorted, but didn’t respond. A waiter hefted over a platter of mozzarella sticks and Cassidy snatched one, relieved for the interruption. Josh and his fiancée weren’t exactly the lovebirds she’d imagined. Bad for Josh, good for her. If he and Shannon had been all kissy-kissy, Cassidy might have needed a lot more wine.
"Cassidy! Cassidy Novak!" A fiftyish woman with a mane of sculpted jet black curls bustled over. She would have come to Cassidy's shoulders except for her puffy hair, which made them the same height. Gold hoop earrings swinging back and forth, the woman cocked her head. Silver and gold spangles winked on her knee-length plum sequin dress. "Deniz Jewell, Jewell of America Talent Agency."
Cassidy shook her hand, sparkling with acorn-sized rings. "Hi, can I help you?"
"Deniz is my agent," Josh said. "She’s gotten me speaking engagements on domestic violence and we’re working on a radio campaign with a national coalition. It’s really bringing recognition to the human service agency where I work."
"Josh is determined to preserve his socially conscious image," Deniz Jewell said wryly. "But most of the others have pursued commercial opportunities. I've lined up gigs on soap operas and as celebrity judges for a pro skating tournament. Imagine what my agency can do for you."
People were interested in the contestants who’d lost? Cassidy thought back to the crowd reaction for her prize. She did seem to have some fans out there. It might be fun to do a couple public appearances until the SOS fervor died down, and being in the spotlight longer would mean a little extra money, which she could definitely use.
"Thanks for your interest," she said. "I’d like to talk to you."
Deniz Jewell raised a finger, glittering with a ruby ring. "I’m delighted to hear that. You’re a personal trainer, correct? I'll bet we could get you a Nike ad, or an exercise video. Maybe even a fitness book deal."
Shannon gave a heavy sigh and toyed with her strand of pearls.
Cassidy gulped. Nike? Was this lady for real? An endorsement like that could bring Cassidy more money than if she’d won first place. She forced her slack jaw muscles back together.
"Are you serious? You really think I could get all those deals?"
"It’s possible." Deniz Jewell fished a card out of her purple leather purse. "No agency can help you like Jewell of America. I’ll call you Monday. Excuse me." She hurried toward Reggie, who had his arm around a giggling waitress.
"Honey, I'm tired," Shannon complained with a yawn. "Let's eat and go back to the hotel." She slanted a look at Cassidy and added, "We've got a long flight to L.A. after the press conference tomorrow."
"Want to join us, Cass?" Josh asked, tight-lipped.
Cassidy elevated an eyebrow as if to say, "You’re kidding, right?"
"Thanks, but my family's here," she said. "See you guys later."
As Shannon steered her fiancé away, Cassidy reflected on the meeting with the agent. According to Deniz Jewell, her dreams might be in reach after all. Don’t get your hopes up, Cassidy told herself. She couldn’t handle a big letdown twice.
She noticed her mother waving from the buffet table and headed in that direction. Cassidy didn’t get far.
"Looks like your guy pal isn't dumping his fiancée." Felicia Fowler sashayed over in her skintight red dress. Felicia, daughter of an acclaimed film director and the last contestant who needed a million dollars, fingered the heart-shaped gold locket she never took off except for showers. Cassidy should know; she had moved it once as they prepared for room inspection, and Madame Fowler had shrilled higher than a member of the Vienna Boys' Choir.
"Mind telling me what you're talking about?" Cassidy asked.
Felicia sucked the green olive from her martini and pushed back her bright blonde shag hair. "Your tomboy act didn't fool me. You were Jos
h's Siamese twin on the ship. Bet it hurts seeing the future Mrs. Josh."
"All I'm thinking about is my upcoming cruise." Cassidy flashed her first genuine smile of the night. She may as well get some enjoyment out of her booby prize. Felicia had won zilch.
Felicia clamped together her moist mango lips. "I've gotten acting offers while you were stuck on the ship. I’m guest starring in a new sitcom this fall."
"I'm happy for you." And Cassidy was, considering Felicia’s own father wouldn’t give her a role.
"I'll bet." Felicia stomped past her, allowing Cassidy to finally join her mother at the buffet.
Pepper Maguire balanced a paper plate of hors d'oeuvres in one hand, napkin of miniature éclairs in the other, silver bracelets clanking and bleached blonde hair piled high into a sprayed cone. Her buttercup yellow blazer and matching pleated miniskirt clung to voluptuous curves. She had dyed her high heels to match the sunshine hue of her outfit.
"Hey, you!" her mother exclaimed. "Sorry about that cruise. I know you wanted something more, but you’ll have a good time. Who are you taking?"
Cassidy coughed at the whiff of Charlie. Her mother looked like a stacked Big Bird and reeked of department store perfume. "I don’t know. Maybe you and I can go. I heard I’ve got a year to take it, so I’d rather wait. I’ve had enough ships lately."
Her mother beamed. "That’s okay, whenever you’re ready."
Of course, now Cassidy’s kid brother would want to tag along. This cruise would actually cost her money. "Where's Bo?"
"Off getting autographs. Your brother was hooked on the show." Fondling an éclair, her mother batted her eyes at a handsome studio executive.
Normally her mom’s flirtatiousness would have irked Cassidy, but tonight she didn’t care. Stomach gurgling, she examined her mother's helping of chicken wings and Swedish meatballs.
Suddenly ravenous, Cassidy loaded a plate, taking two of everything. She'd never have to drink powdered milk again. Grainy mashed potatoes and gristly steak would be a distant memory. She could go to McDonalds.
Although Cassidy had avoided fast food in the past, her mouth watered as she imagined a Big Mac. Even a health nut could be pushed to desperation. She munched a ruffled potato chip coated in onion dip.