Page 46 of His Secret Gift

Time Flies – Kayla

The next week comes and goes—and the only exchanges I have with Jack are in the dining area. But I still see a desperation in his eyes as we glance at each other.

“I finished this one last night,” Callie says after joining me, Denver, and some other members of the crew who are seated at our usual table.

It’s the third book in Yannis’s series, and there’s a steamy scene on the cover.

“What in the world?” Denver picks it up. “Is this that one guy?… uh, Fabio! Yeah. That’s it.”

I snatch it back. “No, it is not.” Yes, Issy, the fictitious character, may have long, light hair. But he’s much more handsome than Fabio. At least on the cover and in my mind.

Denver laughs. “What is that, anyway?”

“A book by Yannis Drakos. The guy we’re sailing across the world for Jack to meet.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, he’s a literary genius, if you ask me.”

He grimaces. “If you say so.”

“She’s right,” Gwen agrees after joining us.

“Thank you!”

“And you could do with some reading, Denv,” she jokes.

He makes a funny face at her. “Oh, shut up.”

Their relationship reminds me of one shared between siblings.

“Anyway,” Callie changes the subject, “Do we have all of our outfits ready for Morocco?”

My brow furrows. “Outfits?”

She swings back to look at me. “Are you kidding me, Kay?”

I shrug.

“We’re getting a few nights off once we get there.”

“Really?”

Callie lightly shoves my shoulder. “Seriously? What were you doing during that meeting Captain Bryant gathered us for?”

Staring at Jack.

“Oh…” As if reading my mind, she glances back toward him, and he looks away. “Right.”

“What?” Denver and Gwen try to follow her gaze.

I look at her in horror, hoping she’ll come up with a believable fib.

“Nothing. Never mind. Back to our wardrobe.” She flicks my bow. “This will not do in the Moroccan clubs.”

“What?” I make it straight again. “I like them.”

She rolls her eyes and sighs. “And they’re very, very cute. If you’re on your high school poms team.”

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