Dana: She laughed at that.
She was with her sister. No point in continuing to look for her.
Mac: Good night to both of you.
Dana: Thanks for checking on us.
Alone in his room. McKay made his nightly call to his sister. Gracie was yawning and went to bed without a fuss.
“Are you sad to leave the cruise? You look a bit down?” asked Jen.
He tried to school his features into something less miserable. “Not really. I mean, it is just work.”
“Then what is it?”
“I forced a passenger into an awkward situation and now I am wondering if I should have handled things differently.”
“Explain.”
“I can’t say much.”
“Tell me what you can. It may help you work through things.”
By the time McKay finished explaining what he could, he felt worse.
Jen pondered before answering. “Obviously, I don’t get all the parts you omitted, but having the wedding called off was a good thing. Believe me, no one wants to marry a cheater. It would have been nice if it had been earlier in the cruise, but still awkward.”
“True. It is more that I put her sister in that situation.”
“Did you order the room change?”
“No.”
“Then not your problem. If it really bothers you, tell the sister. Although I don’t see a point. It isn’t like you’ll see her again.”
“I want to.” Admitting it made the possibility seem to evaporate like sea foam.
“What?”
“I want to figure out a way to see Dana again. Away from the ship.”
“Where you can date?”
“Pretty much.”
“Okay, that is unexpected.” Jen’s smile grew.
“I just think she’ll think less of me.” The thought of Dana despising him made his chest ache.
Jen toyed with a pen. “That is a possibility. But if there is an investigation, I don’t see how you can say anything to her.”
“I know, I don’t like it, but I know.”
“She is in security, she will understand… Maybe.”
“I hope so.” It was all he could do.
15