Page 36 of Love Overboard
“He told me to make three hundred extra cherry tarts for the captain’s special reception. I did not hear him right and made a few too many.”
“How many?” She lifted her water glass and took a drink.
“Three thousand.”
Lacey choked and wiped the dribble from her chin. “Three … threethousand?”
Ricardo grimaced. “You are making the same face as Chef did when he found out. I spent hours making those tarts. He should recognize my hard work. But all he does is worry I wasted the ingredients. Too much flour! Too much sugar!”
“He has a point. Resources are limited. If a cruise ship runs out of food, the customers will mutiny.”
“We will not run out.” Ricardo sawed off another piece of overcooked meat. “I am arranging for more to be delivered with the fresh produce when we dock in Puerto Limón. It was supposed to be my afternoon off, but I will spend most of it coordinating with the provision master about the new supplies.” He shoved the steak in his mouth. “At least I will still have time for dinner. My good friend runs a restaurant there. He grills a red snapper with lemon and basil”—he kissed his fingertips—“so fresh, like it jumped out of the ocean onto the plate.”
Lacey laughed. “Sounds delicious.”
“Come with me. I can pick you up after I supervise the delivery, and we will eat together.” His warm perusal of her promised more than friendship if she was interested. “It will be my treat.”
Lacey hesitated. She enjoyed Ricardo’s company but wasn’t sure a date was a good idea. The housemaids stirred beside her, and their volume rose. Faces pointed in the same direction—at the tantalizing cruise director who’d walked in the room. Jon’s gaze found her, along with just about everyone else’s. The employees scrutinized them both with whispers and smirks.
Lacey looked away. She hated being the center of a cheap scandal. None of it was true. Jon was her friend. Period.
“Lacey?”
Ricardo’s voice broke into her musings.
“Yes?”
“Tomorrow? The snapper?”
She made a split-second decision. “I’d love to eat dinner with you.”
Ricardo smiled so big his upper lip disappeared. He dropped his silverware and grabbed the edge of the table. “What are your favorite flowers? I will bring them for you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“It is my pleasure.”
Lacey had received so few bouquets in her life, she had to think a moment. “How about something unique and colorful?”
Ricardo winked. “Claro.” He took Lacey by the hand and stroked her fingers.
She fought the urge to see if Jon noticed. Her attention stayed fixed on Ricardo.
“I will be counting the hours,” he said.
“Me too.” She was a very punctual person.
Ricardo released her hand, held his drink for a toast, and tilted it her way. “Until tomorrow night?”
She clinked her glass against his. “Tomorrow night.”
“Mind if I join you?”
Lacey’s nerves jumped at the new voice. Her water sploshed onto the table as Jon towered over them with his tray. She wiped the renegade drops and kept her head down. “What?”
“Is this seat occupied?” He motioned to the empty chair beside her.
“Please, sit.” Ricardo scooted his things to make more room at the table.
