Page 37 of Embracing the Change

“All I’m going to say, darlin’,” he muttered.

Nora took in another breath.

And exhaled.

CHAPTER 5

FERRAGAMO

Nora

Iwoke to darkness.

Per usual.

Thus, I pushed the satin eye mask to my forehead, and through the bright morning sunshine, stared at the circle of gold on the cream ceiling I’d discovered last night had soft illumination coming from behind it.

I didn’t have to look at the rest of my cabin, which I knew had sweeping views, was decorated in soft grays, golds and navy blue, and was the likes only Hale Wheeler and the four men under him on the list of the world’s most wealthy could afford.

I sighed, turned to the oblong nightstand beside the bed and picked up the phone to order coffee.

I then got out of bed and began my first-thing-in-the morning routine, being interrupted in exfoliating by accepting the arrival of my coffee service with a note communicated to me from the steward, “Mr. Oakley is enjoying coffee on the aft deck, and we’ll be setting out the breakfast buffet there soon.”

Tremendous.

Another day alone with the man I loved, who did not love me.

I’d showered and was seated at the small vanity in the bathroom where, last evening, a member of the crew had arranged my cosmetics. I was sipping coffee and preparing for the day when my phone lit up.

I glared at it.

Because it was Mika.

I took the call, put it on speaker, and continued shading my eyelids, stating, “I’m not speaking to you.”

I heard her laugh even as she replied, “You answered.”

“Only because I have a reason to do so.”

“We can talk about that in a second, after I share my chagrin that you’re answering at all.”

“If you don’t wish to speak to me, why did you call?” I queried.

“I was testing the waters, because if you didn’t answer, that would mean you’re getting busy…finally…with Jamie.”

I huffed.

“Nora—”

“We are not that.”

She spoke gently when she asked, “What’s been going on with you two? Why haven’t you been spending time together?”

A morsel of news: the scene of the kiss with Jamie, particularly after it, was so painful, I’d told no one. Not even my dearest friend.

But now was the time to do that.

“He kissed me.”

---