Page 31 of His Secret Gift

Instead of cursing the call that separated us, I’m now unbelievably thankful for it.

When her gaze meets mine again, she looks a little sad. Nevertheless, she rolls her lips in on themselves before saying, “Are you done then? Can I please go back to my room.” I feel so embarrassed.

I don’t say anything else, but I step out of her way. I don’t know if she means to, but her elbow smacks mine as she walks by.

Good riddance.

Thankful not to have scandal or potential PR concern, I pour myself a glass of whiskey, sit down, and look out at the rolling waves.

“What was that all about, Jack?” Bryant asks when he returns.

“Don’t worry about it,” I answer before taking another swig.

Then, he sits down beside me. “You looked pretty upset.”

My head snaps over at him. “Were you spying on me?”

His eyelids close for a second. “I wouldn’t call it spying. But I was just curious. After what happened—”

I sniff in and hold my breath.Don’t even say it.

“You know what I’m referring to.”

I won’t even justify it with a response.

“Anyway,” he momentarily dips his head, “I thought you wouldn’t want to be caught dead alone with another steward.”

After a sharp inhale, I explain, “I just know Kayla. That’s all.”

“Really? Well, I guess you are both from the Midwest.”

“She is?” We hadn’t discussed where we were from.

“If I remember correctly, she’s from Indiana. That’s next to Ohio, right?”

I shake my head. “Good ole’ New Yorker. You don’t know much about the states in the middle of the country.”

He raises his hands. “Guilty as charged.”

We both chuckle.

“But to answer your question, yes. Ohio and Indiana are right next to each other. What part of Indiana is she from? Do you remember?”

He looks up and taps his chin. “I think it started with an “a.” Akron?”

“No, that’s Ohio.” My mother, Marina, was from there. So, I assume that’s where he was getting that from.

“Hmm.” Then, after thinking a little more, he throws his pointer finger into the air. “Aurora. That’s it.”

Huh.I lift and tip the glass once more.Kayla from Aurora, Indiana.It certainly has a ring to it.

Chapter 10

A Complicated Man – Kayla

“Oh, my god. Mol, it was terrible.” Since we’re docked, I still have time to call her.

“I told you this could be bad, Kayla.”

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