by Holly Kerr
“And she wants Miles. Greer thinks the infamous legend of Aphrodite would be the perfect way to get him,” Amy said.
I glanced over at Miles still talking to Gillian and Ari, even though Greer was patting his arm like a dog wanting attention. “I see it’s working out pretty well for her,” I said, not hiding my smirk.
After dessert, after finishing off yet another bottle of wine—that was nine for anyone counting, plus Xander’s beer, whiskey shot and now brandy. He was going to be feeling it in the morning—talk began about hitting the nightly show.
“I think I’ll pass,” I said quickly when Amy turned to me expectantly. “I caught some of it last night when I was wandering around.”
Which was a lie, but no one had to know that. I made it through dinner and had more fun than I expected. I didn’t want to press my luck.
“I’ll probably have an early night,” I added, hating that I sounded like what my father used to call a fuddy-duddy— a person who couldn’t hold up their end of a conversation or wasn’t able to socialize properly.
“Why don’t I walk you back to your cabin?” Miles offered. “We can catch up. I’ll meet up with the rest of you later, okay?”
From Greer’s expression, she did not think that was okay.
“Are you going on the excursion with us tomorrow?” Gillian asked.
“Ochos Rios? The zip line?”
“We leave at eight o’clock,” Amy said.
I paused for a moment and glanced at Miles, who smiled hopefully. “I’ll be there,” I promised.
As happy as I was to see Miles, it was uncomfortable to walk off with him, especially with Greer’s death glare lasering into my back. I did it anyway, mainly because I knew it bothered her. She might be a good person, but I doubted it.
Then again, Petra was nothing but a witch to me until she passed over her trip tickets.
We headed up to Deck 14, where shadowy figures once again circled the track. Miles had been friends with my older brother. Our families had been close and Miles had been a fixture around our house and at holiday parties and special occasions. He was always nice to me, which was why I felt myself relax as we stood by the port railing.
It didn’t stop me from glancing around to see if Will was in sight.
“So what happened to you?” Miles wasted no time in beginning the interrogation, or the “catching up” as he called it.
I sighed, draping my arms over the railing. “That’s a much longer story than how I met Petra. And I’m not really sure I want to tell it.”
“I heard that Charles wasn’t all that he seemed.”
“You can say that again.” I stared down into the water. “Do you know that if someone falls overboard, they send an emergency broadcast over the ship? But they don’t say someone fell—or jumped. They say, Oscar. So if you ever hear Oscar Oscar Oscar, you’ll know what’s going on.”
“And you know this why? Are you planning on jumping overboard?”
“No. Just a fun fact.”
“I remember you used to be full of fun facts. Bet your parents are proud.”
“I don’t remember the last time I made my parents proud,” I said quietly. “That’s why I left. I couldn’t handle the disappointment in their eyes. They blamed me for Charles.”
“But it wasn’t your fault.”
“I was in love with him. I should have known what he was like.”
“That’s bullshit, Siggy. You know,” he mused aloud. “I always liked Siggy better. It suits you. Seraphina is a pretty name, but reminds me of an angel, someone delicate and breakable. That’s not you.”
“Not anymore, no. After what Charles did to me and my family, I promised myself I’d never be breakable again.”
I turned, feeling Miles’ gaze on me. “You’re different,” he said. “I know it’s been a while, but you’ve changed. How long has it been since you’ve seen your parents?”
“A few years.”
“You should get in touch with them.”
“I send them a Christmas card every year so they know I’m alive.”
“Do you have any idea how much they’ve looked for you? They were frantic, Siggy. Your mother took a leave from congress—”
“Another thing I need to feel guilty about.”
“There’s nothing for you to feel guilty about. You did nothing wrong.”
I didn’t know if it was Miles saying it or some magic from the boat, but for the first time, I started to believe it.
Chapter Twelve
Day Three: Ocho Rios, Jamaica
The next morning, I spent so much time leaning over my balcony watching the ship pull into port and marveling how the captain could maneuver such a huge ship that I nearly missed breakfast.
Maybe it was having Miles there, or maybe it was because I was docked in a different country, far away from Eduardo, but for the first time, I felt excitement buzzing through me. Thank you, Petra, you are my fairy godmother, I thought as I scarfed down my eggs and rushed out to meet Miles and the others.
Xander took charge as we disembarked from the ship. I had a feeling he’d been the one who insisted on this excursion. Everyone was in good spirits as we walked away from the dock to the catamaran that waited to take us to Dunn’s River waterfall, a short distance around away.
I didn’t bring my camera with me, for fear it would get damaged but it was painful not taking pictures of the clear tropical water and white sand beaches.
As the boat whizzed us along the shore, I pushed my windblown hair out of my face so I could stare at the resorts nestled within the jungle.
“It’s so beautiful,” I said in awe.
“This is nothing,” Xander scoffed. “Wait until we get to the waterfall.” We sat in a close huddle near the bow of the boat, with the wind sending a spray of water against my bare arms.
“You’ve been to Jamaica before, haven’t you?” Miles asked with a frown.
“Years ago.”
“Is that your answer to everything?” Greer demanded in a scornful voice.
“Look at that boat!” Xander cried. I turned my back to Greer to see what Xander was pointing to.
Xander was right. I vaguely remembered my parents bringing my brothers’ and I here, and Simon falling into the water. I had no recollection that it was so beautiful—and so much fun.
I had fun with these strangers. Who were now my friends.
At least everyone but Greer. I didn’t know what to make of her, and from the way she glared at me every time Miles even smiled at me, I know she didn’t like me. But Gillian and Amy and Alicia were great, as were Ari and Xander.
And Miles. He reminded me of my brother Simon so much that it started to hurt being around him. But I didn’t let that ache ruin the day.
After we climbed the falls, we ziplined down, shrieking and screaming. Even Xander let out a girlish shout as he skimmed down the water.
After the zip line, we headed back to the catamaran for a rum-punch party.
Gillian found me on the catamaran with cheeks pink from either the sun or the rum. “Having fun?”
I held up my coconut filled with punch. The yellow umbrella tumbled out at the movement. “This is great.”
“The rum or the trip?”
“Both.”
She turned her back to the party on the deck. “I can’t believe Petra gave you her ticket.”
“You can’t! I don’t even know her, so I have no idea if it was out character.”
Gillian rolled her eyes. “Trust me—it is. But it’s good that someone gets to enjoy it, even if she bailed.”
We stood at the railing, the breeze whipping my hair into unimaginable knots. While Gillian had been friendly during the day, I had a feeling her seeking me out wasn’t purely an overture of friendship. And I didn’t have to wait long to find out that I was right.
“Small world that you know Miles,” Gillian finally said.
I stifled my groan. “Greer has nothing to worry about.”
“It’s actually not like her to worry. But I think your history with Miles freaked her out.”
“I have no history with Miles,” I said firmly. “Our families are friends.”
“I think it’s your family history that has her so worried.”
“What about my family?” I asked sharply. “What did Miles tell you?”
“Not much, just the basics. Your father’s an oil man, mother is a congresswoman, brother is adorable.”
“Miles said my brother is adorable?”
“No. I Googled him,” Gillian admitted without a hint of remorse.
“I assume you Googled me as well?”
Gillian laughed self-consciously. “Greer did that first thing. There’s not much on there about you, by the way.”
I closed my eyes with relief. My mother had done her best to keep my story out of the papers but there were always reporters who wouldn’t be persuaded with the offer of a sit-down with Congresswoman Park. “I’ve been off the grid for the last few years.”
“Why is that?” She stared expectantly at me, but I only shrugged. “The man problems you mentioned?”
This was beginning to feel like an ambush, friendly or not, and the old Siggy would have told Gillian to mind her own business. “I’m not telling you anything about myself because whatever I say is going straight to Greer. She doesn’t like me, so why should I give her any ammunition?”
“It’s not that she doesn’t like you.” I lowered my sunglasses so Gillian saw my raised eyebrow. “It’s only that she’s getting a bit anxious now that you’re in the picture. Especially that I have this.” Greer wiggled her fingers and the shiny ring glittered in the sun. “And with Petra and Peter now—I feel sorry for Miles. Greer’s upping her game big time.”
A peal of laughter followed Gillian’s words. When I glanced around, I found Greer, a knockout in a yellow bikini, hanging off Miles’ arm as he laughed with Xander.
“She has nothing to worry about from me,” I assured her. Especially since Will hadn’t been far from my thoughts all day. As much fun as I had with my new friends, I couldn’t wait until I got back to the boat to see him.
Later near the end of the excursion, Greer found me at the railing. “You have nothing to worry about from me and Miles,” I said as soon as I saw her smug expression.
“Of course not,” Greer sneered. “Why would I be worried about you?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea.” I turned back to watching the boats in the distance, hoping Greer would take the hint and leave.
But she leaned in beside me. “I’ve been thinking about Petra a lot today,” she said in a sing-song voice. “I’ve tried to get hold of her, but I can’t seem to reach her. I’m really worried.”
Fear pricked my stomach. “I told you what happened. She’s with Peter.”
“That’s what you say.”
“That’s what her Instagram said. I checked yesterday and everything was happy hearts and flowers. Lots of emojis.”
Greer nodded carefully like she was weighing her words. “I think her uncle might be concerned about how she’s not on the boat. Her uncle, the captain.”
The catamaran rocked as it hit a wave, causing screams and laughter from the passengers. I watched with dismay as my rum punch-filled coconut fell over the railing, the paper umbrella swaying in the air as it followed.
“Shit,” I muttered, watching it sink beneath the waves.
“You lost your drink,” Greer said with fake sympathy. “You’re going to lose your free cruise too, as soon as I talk to Captain Kellerman.”
“Petra said she was going to tell him.”
“I’m sure she did, but like you said, she’s busy with Peter. And as much as I love her, my bestie isn’t that good at remembering things.” Greer smiled widely at me as she backed away from the railing. “Hope for your sake she did.”
I didn’t watch Greer walk away because I didn’t want her to see the fear in my eyes.
Chapter Thirteen
It was a quiet trip back to the boat. Sunburned and too much rum had made everyone sleepy, so their conversations were short with little laughter. Greer sat with Miles and I felt her gaze on me the entire time. I wondered what she was telling Miles.
Would she really go to the captain? How easy would it be to talk to him? Being the roommate of his niece might give Greer an in, but I couldn’t be sure if it was an empty threat or she’d already made plans to carry it out. And what would happen if she did? Would the captain throw me off the ship?
I had an image of me in a life preserver, floating among the waves as the ship leaves me stranded. It was not a pleasant vision.
I wished there was someone I could talk to about the worry that oozed through me.
Deep in thought, I was the last of the group to board the ship but to my surprise, they waited for me.
“So Sigalicious, what are we up to now?” Xander draped an arm around my shoulder. I noticed Greer’s frown out of the corner of my eye. Was she really upset that I was friends with Xander? Does she really hate me that much?
“I think I’m heading back to my room for a nap.”
“How boring!” Xander cried.
“But sounds like a good idea,” Miles said with a laugh. “We can regroup for drinks later before dinner.”
“But I’m thirsty now,” Xander whined and Miles slapped him on the shoulder.
“There’s a good bar on Deck 14 with a really cute bartender,” I said but instantly regretted the words. Will had waited for me there yesterday. Would he be there again today? What if he heard this group call me Siggy instead of Petra?
I groaned to myself. I had to tell Will who I was.
“Or there might be one closer to the dining room,” I rushed to add.
After a volley of suggestions, it was decided to meet at the wine bar near the dining room. I sighed with relief as Miles turned to me with an expectant smile.
“You’ll be there?”
“She’ll be having her nap and then going to bed early, won’t you, Siggy?” Greer said.
It was the smug smile that did it. If I was going down, it wasn’t going to be without a fight.
“I’ll be there,” I said brightly, baring my teeth with a smile of my own.
I returned to my room to shower off the sunscreen and to take a few minutes to privately freak out.
What would they do to a passenger who had boarded illegally? That would make me a stowaway—I was a stowaway on a cruise ship. What would they do to me?
Why hadn’t I thought of this sooner? Why did I ever take Petra’s ticket? Some fairy godmother she turned out to be, one with a wicked witch for a best friend.
I didn’t have any choice. I had to get off the boat.
Tomorrow we would be in Grand Cayman. I could disembark and then not come back. I would avoid any possible conflict with the captain and make Greer very happy to see the last of me.
Why should I let her win?
I let Charles win when I ran away from home. I ran away from Eduardo because I was afraid to face him and made things worse. Why would I want to do that again?
But staying in Grand Cayman was an option and a good one. I filed it away as I dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, wondering what I should do now—
Will!
We had talked about doing something when I returned from Ocho Rios. How could I have forgotten?
It wasn’t until I hurried to Deck 14 that I realized if I was leaving tomorrow, then I would have to say goodbye to Will.
The thought of that sunk heavily in my stomach as I stepped onto the deck.
“Siggy!”
It was Xander, leaning against the bar. He waved me over, and with a quick glance around for Will, I reluctantly joined him. Adonis was nowhere in sight, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why am I not surprised to see you here?”
Xander grinned, his face red from being in the sun all day. “I said I was thirsty. I think I’m dehydrated.” He held up his be
er glass, with a thick head of foam. “Beer will help.”
“I’m sure it will.”
“Drink with me,” Xander invited.
“I’ve been drinking with you all day.”
“No, you haven’t. You’ve been hiding from my sister.” Xander kept his gaze on me as he sipped his beer.
“Your sister doesn’t like me,” I said carefully.
“My sister doesn’t like a lot of people. I’m only here because she likes Miles.”
“And that makes me a threat to her because I knew Miles when I was a kid?” I shook my head.
“My sister is under the impression that she needs to get married. Now,” Xander explained. “She dragged us on this farce of a romance cruise to make it happen. I mean, the legend of Aphrodite? Have you met your soulmate yet?”
“I don’t—I don’t think so,” I stammered as Xander’s eyes lit up.
“You have! Well, I’ll be damned! Who?”
“It’s no one. It’s nothing. He’s—nice.”
“Nice is good. Is nice cute, too?”
“He’s cute.” I glanced around. “I think I’m supposed to be meeting him, but I’m not sure where. He was here the last time.”
“Sounds even better. Can’t wait to meet him.”
“You can’t.” Xander opened his mouth to protest, and I rushed out with an explanation. “He thinks I’m Petra.”
“Tell him you’re not.”
“I can’t. What if he gets mad I lied? What if he reports me? I’m basically a stowaway.”
Xander cocked his shaggy head. “I guess you kind of are. How did you get on the ship anyway?”
“I used Petra’s passport. I lied—I lied to Will because he was the one who checked me in. So he could get in trouble too.” I slumped on the stool, my head in my hands. “Plus, if I tell him who I am, he’s going to want to know everything about me and there are things I’m not ready to talk about.”
“You get more mysterious every day.”
“The cruise is going to be over for me because your sister said she’s going to tell the captain.”