Page 142 of Damaged

Bernard turns to me. His captain’s hat is off. His white ponytail is draped on his shoulder like he’s got an albino ferret.

“Young lady, you must have permission to enter the bridge.”

“Um… permission to enter the bridge?”

“Granted.Ifyou salute your commanding officer.”

I raise my hand slowly in an awkward salute.

“At ease,” Bernard says and goes back to the captain’s chair. “This vessel does not return to shore apart from medical emergencies. If you forgot your phone, you’ll manage. We’re about one mile from not having service for a month.”

“No. I’m sorry for asking for such an inconvenience. I didn’t know it wasn’t for me until I was here.”

“You’re not the first to make this request. But this ship does not return to shore except for medical emergencies. We will port to restock supplies in thirty days. If by then you still do not feel suited to your position, you may leave.”

I realize I have no recourse. No freedom. I have to do as the captain says. This isn’t a normal job. This isn’t even America. It’s a new feeling, and I signed up for it.

“Right,” I say and turn to go.

“Nah, ah, ah,” Bernard says, and I turn, confused.

He raises an eyebrow as I stand at the door. “You must ask permission to be dismissed.”

“Permission to be dismissed?”

Bernard stares at me confused. “Yes, that’s what I just said.”

“No…” I sigh. “That was me asking.”

“Oh. I see. Well, yes. Permission granted.”

I throw him a sarcastic salute, but he returns it with all seriousness. I leave the bridge and race down the stairs and out a door onto the deck.

I shouldn’t. It won’t make this easier, but I pull my phone out of my pocket and call James.

James

I almost didn’t send Sophia anything. I almost let her go without a word. Now, as I watch her ship depart, I’m thinking I should’ve. I only made this harder for her.

It can be called manipulative—the footage I sent her of that little cam. But I don’t care. I’ve kept my distance. Given her space. And she deserves to know how much I love her.

How much she means to me.

But it seems even that my love coupled with the news of Aquarius’s sale wasn’t enough to make her change her mind.

I know she’s been going to the post office every morning. Her friend Alana had been a great wing-woman for this surprise. I told her the deal—that I was a workaholic of the worst degree and Sophia wasn’t going to stand it. When I told her I was selling the company, she agreed to help. Sophia must’ve left out the danger I put her in. I’m thankful she did.

But Sophia’s had that stupid hat for hours. Same with the email. And… nothing.

Maybe she hates my timing. It was a little cruel of me to choose to ask for her heart last minute, but it wasn’t until I heard that she was going on a billionaire’s research trip that she forced my hand.

I’ve been working nonstop to get the business sold since that night in Quebec. Plus, Cody had to plummet twenty-four stories down his apartment’s stairwell. That unfortunateaccidenttook some planning to put together.

Why’d I try to be grand and romantic? I should’ve just called. Put my heart on a platter. But maybe my bartering would’ve been worse for her. This gave her the clearest choice.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I take it out, ready to hurl it into the sea, but I flinch back in surprise when I read the caller ID.

I throw the phone to my ear. “Sophia.”

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