Page 33 of His Secret Gift

What an interesting name.“Nice to meet you. I’m Kayla… just Kayla.”

We giggle for a moment or two.

She then looks back up at him. “Yeah, he’s a looker. That’s for darn sure. Too bad none of us can ever have him.”

I squint at her. “What do you mean?” He kind of alluded to the fact that he doesn’t date his employees, but I didn’t realize it was a hard and fast rule or something.

“Come on, let’s get some breakfast. I’ll tell you in the galley.”

Galley?Denver didn’t show me that part of the yacht. Immediately, I picture a big room like you eat in at camp.

When we get in there, it isn’t like a ratty, run down chow hall at all. It’s actually quite stately with fresh white walls, pretty metallic sconces hanging off of them, and tableclothed, round tables all around.

The hum of animated conversation and clinking dishware fills the air as crew members gather around long tables laden with food. The enticing aroma of maple syrup and coffee wafts through the room, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.

“Grab a plate and help yourself,” Callie encourages as we join the line of crew members. I do so, and I take my turn loading it with French toast, bacon, and fruit slices.

I then follow her to two open seats.

“Everyone,” she clinks her mug with a knife, “This is Kayla.”

As I look around, I recognize some faces from the day prior, especially Denver’s. He smiles and raises his glass of orange juice at me. I was so appreciative that he, without question, tried to get me out of the meeting last night. I smile back at him.

Then, a sandy blonde-haired woman, bumps shoulders with Callie. “Have you warned her about Harper yet?”

Harper?

Callie then sighs, as if she’s been through this explanation too many times before.

“Harper used to be a steward like us,” she explains, her voice low and cautious. “She and Jack were together for a while. But she ended up cheating on him.”

“That’s awful,” I say, then noticing as the same man we’re talking about enter the room. He has a shirt on now, and his sunglasses have been pushed up into his dark hair. He sits down next to Captain Bryant before someone rushes over with a glass of what I assume is coffee for him.

“Yeah, it was. It just about destroyed him, I think.”

The girl I don’t know swoops her head in. “Rumor has it that he tried to ‘off’ himself on this very boat.”

Callie rolls her eyes. “Gwen! I think all of that is exactly what you said… just rumors. Anyway, he’s sworn off getting involved with another one of us again.”

“I don’t know,” Gwen shrugs, raises her eyelids, and corners off a bite of her pancake. “I’ve heard more than one consistent story about him jumping into the ocean—wearing nothing but that precious ring of his.”

Callie then waives her hands frantically. “We really shouldn’t be talking about any of this here.”

After that, I watch him with sympathy from across the room as he sips his hot beverage, seemingly unaware of the whispers surrounding him. Or, if he is aware, he just doesn’t care. My fingers brush against my lips, remembering our almost-kiss from last night. A pang of disappointment hits me as I realize that moment will never happen again.

Despite Callie’s warning, Gwen continues, “Regardless, it was a messy situation. Ever since then, Jack’s been pretty closed off when it comes to relationships. So, trust us, getting involved with him isn’t worth the risk.” Her fork bounces as she talks.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” I say defensively, but her words still leave me feeling uneasy. After squirming in my chair a bit, I add, “I’m here to work, not get caught up in some forbidden romance.”

“Good,” Callie jumps in and says firmly, giving me a reassuring smile. “Just focus on your job and everything will be fine.”

I nod to confirm my intentions.

“Well, come on. Eat up,” my new friend then insists.

I dig in, and I can hardly believe my taste buds. “Oh, my gosh!” My eyes bug out, and I have to hold my hand up to cover my mouth and conceal the view of food inside of it.

Callie and Gwen look at each other and snicker.

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