Page 5 of Caribbean Crush

Phillip Woodmont.

The man of the hour.

The person who’s going to take me to task for my crime.

My old friend ... of sorts.

Chapter Two

CASEY

Oh, look at that; I’m panicking again.

I think it’s my new normal at this point.

Sienna did say to meet her out in the hall at a quarter to one, didn’t she?

I’m starting to doubt myself.

I’ve been out here stalling for close to ten minutes, and I’m worried that if I don’t start heading toward the observation lounge now, I’m going to be late. I don’t even want to check my watch. It’ll only make my nerves more frayed.

This is what I get for trying to make a friend!

I should have just remained a lone wolf.

A door opens down the hall, drawing my attention. An older man steps out onto the plush carpet in the hallway. Like me, he’s wearing a press badge. It’s pinned over the left breast pocket of his dinner jacket. I study his profile, trying to decipher if I know him. There will be some serious talent on this trip. Journalists and photographers I’ve looked up to since I was in college.

He’s got a little heft to him. Tall and broad. Very little of his white hair is left, and deep, hard-earned wrinkles surround his eyes.

He looks my way and nods in greeting once he sees my press badge.

“Lincoln O’Neal. Nat Geo.”

My eyes widen in awe.

Jesus. That’s how I know him! He’s a famous photojournalist!

Say something, you nitwit.

“Casey Hughes. Bon Voyage.”

I tack on a little salute that feels charming in the moment but leaves us both a little confused as to how to proceed. Fortunately, he has the sense to carry on as if it never happened.

“Heading up?” he asks, indicating toward the bank of elevators at the end of the hall.

I smile weakly. “Um ... yes. In a moment.”

“Right, then. See you.”

He turns on his heel and leaves.

No!

I just lost out on a chance to chat with Lincoln O’Neal! I would have loved to pick his brain about his work. Not to mention, a moment with someone as influential as him could change the entire trajectory of my career. I could have endeared myself to him. We could have chatted and exchanged business cards. At which point, he would have seen my title and laughed. Dammit. Fine. Maybe it wouldn’t have been all that helpful, but as it is ... I’ll never know.

With a new font of courage and annoyance churning inside me, I turn back to Sienna’s door and give it three loud knocks. I was too chicken to do it before when I first came out into the hall, but it’s now or never. I can’t wait around for her all day.

“Sienna?” I lean in and speak loudly against the suite’s door. “Are you almost ready?”

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