Page 39 of It Had to be You

It hadn’t been hard at all to convince the chef to help him out. It wasn’t a matter of money or influence… at least not ‘his’ influence.

Once he told the chef what he had planned for Tatum, it was all he could do to limit the man to two types of desserts.

After all, he wanted to romance her, not put her into a sugar-coma.

The chef was also sending him the same desserts and when Alexander had tried to beg off, the man insisted, saying that dessert was only romantic when served for two. And who was he to argue with a Michelin Star chef?

Alexander knew that he’d be perfectly content to watch her sample every bite all on her own.

Looking across the open expanse, he saw the soft light behind the curtain in the opposite cabin. It flickered off and he was left to wait.

Anticipation was both a torture and a fascinating feeling, knowing that at any moment, he was going to see her again.

The curtain shifted and then slid to the right. The sliding door opened just a few feet and Tatum stepped outside. Bathed in the soft moonlight, the silken fabric of her pajamas gave off a faint glow.

Her steps faltered when she saw the chair and the table set up with a blanket and a bucket with a chilled bottle of wine. He wished that he could see her smile.

Earlier at dinner, she’d begged off having a glass, saying she’d have one later.

Alexander sent his text to the chef and then quickly sent another.

A rectangle of light lit up the phone in Tatum’s hand.

When she lifted it to type a message, he saw the bright smile on her face.

Sitting down in the chair, she pulled the blanket over her lap and typed another message.

Nodding to himself, he typed another message.

He saw her laugh as her phone illuminated her face.

He saw her sit back in the chair and relax a little even though she bit into her bottom lip.

Maybe it was just that she needed a moment. Or maybe it was something more.

Either way, he waited. Whatever time or consideration that she needed he would give it to her.

The three dots formed and disappeared a few times before the soft BLIP of sound turned his attention firmly on the screen.

He smiled and felt his heart swell in his chest.

He watched as she read the text and then she cradled the phone in her hands. It was a few inches closer to her face so he could see the soft smile on her face. And maybe it was only wishful feelings, but he thought he saw the subtle shimmer of light in her eyes, as if there were tears on her lashes.

He didn’t even have to type the word. His predictive text had it front and center.

They’d talked about her plans when they were on the beach near Esperanza. Holding her hand as the waves washed back and forth over their feet, he had quietly sent positive thoughts in her direction, hoping that she’d decided to go to New York to work.

It would give them a chance to get to know each other even more.

Alexander laughed to himself.

A knock sounded on his door and he could tell by the way that she’d jumped a little in her chair that she’d heard the same noise, but on her door.

She looked at the message and then turned to look across the expanse at him. He didn’t need perfect eyesight to see the questioning look on her face.

Standing up, he walked to the door and opened it. The crewman rolled the tray into the room and Alexander nodded his thanks.

"Thank you, sir."

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