Page 74 of Too Far To Sea
“No, I want to pretend for one minute that you had her number and hear all about her.”
To please his mother, McKay told the story again, with as much detail as he dared. When he talked about the Claddagh rings, he paused.
“Did you go back and get her one?”
“I did. It was a silly thought. She is the same size as you. You can have Dana’s too.” Pretending that he always intended it for his mother would be easier than having it sit on his nightstand and mocking him.
Mom shook her head. “I think you are giving up too easily.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Email her.”
“I don’t have her address.”
“Nonsense. Even I know that most employers use a name variant, try Dana dot Knight at Hastings Security or D dot Knight. Worst case, it bounces.”
“Or it goes into a black hole and I never know if she got it or not, or if she is ignoring it.” The thought of Dana deliberately ignoring his message twisted something in his chest.
“At least you would have tried. You mentioned talking to her boss. You could?—”
“No. Not contacting Hastings. I’d have to explain, and the cruise line should have hired her. I don’t think I should be the one to tell them.”
“I guess it is your loss.” Mom picked up the remote and turned on the TV. “Would you mind getting me a sandwich?”
McKay went into the kitchen. Mom had been less than subtle about ending the conversation where she did. She wanted him to stew and think about contacting Dana. The thought was completely unnecessary, as he’d been stewing for days. The rose gold ring would not let him forget what he gave up.
On her way out of town, Dana stopped at Hastings Security. The familiar glass doors greeted her—her reflection was not nearly as cheerful.
ZoElle appeared from her office, waddling slightly, one hand resting on her rounded belly. “Glad you stopped by.”
“I needed to grab a couple of things out of my gym locker. And I believe Chris and Tian had a package delivered here?”
“Oh, yes.” ZoElle pointed to a large box near reception. “You’ll forgive me if I don’t help you with that.” She patted her belly with a rueful smile.
Dana laughed. “I wouldn’t let you if you tried.”
“Do you have a minute to chat?” ZoElle’s tone carried that particular note that meant this wasn’t really a question.
“Sure,” Dana said hesitantly, following ZoElle into her office. The room still smelled faintly of ginger.
ZoElle shut the door and eased into her chair. “Is something wrong?” Dana asked.
“That’s what I would like you to tell me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Rumor has it that our little Hastings app fiasco brought you to the attention of a handsome officer aboard ship.” ZoElle’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“How did you hear that?”
“Javier.” ZoElle leaned back, adjusting a cushion behind her. “But I haven’t heard the rest of the story.”
“Just a minute. You’re living for gossip now?”
“Oh, please, give me something,” ZoElle said, rubbing her back. “I need a distraction from running to the bathroom every twenty minutes and being kicked in the diaphragm.”
“Yes, I met someone. But...” Dana trailed off, unsure how to explain the complicated tangle of emotions the cruise had left her with.
