Page 47 of Love Overboard
Emily met her head-on. “There’s a difference between memories and mistakes. Make sure you know which is which.”
Lacey squared her shoulders. She had just opened her mouth to answer when the elevator paused. The doors slid open, and a group of teenagers walked between them. Emily and Lacey stared at each other through the group of kids silently texting on their phones. The teens got off at the next floor, leaving an awkward chasm between the two remaining riders.
Lacey stopped the door as it began to close. “We need to talk.” She held it open and motioned for Emily to go first.
“I agree.” Emily exited and led her to an outside deck along the side of the ship.
A breeze hit them as they walked through the double doors. The older woman moved to the railing and rested her arms on the top. Lacey started to speak, but Emily interrupted her.
“Save yourself the lecture, dear. I’m interfering in your life. You want me to butt out. Is that about the gist?”
Lacey’s lips twitched. “I approve your choice of words.”
“Message received.” Emily tilted her head and let the wind whip her gray curls.
“It’s supposed to turn chilly today.” Lacey joined her at the railing. “Should I get you a blanket?”
“I’m wonderful. Enjoying the smell of the sea.” Her eyelids drooped, and she inhaled.
Lacey recognized the look. She’d seen it on Emily’s face many times when she’d stood at the rail. “You love it, don’t you?”
“It reminds me of home. I grew up by the ocean.”
“Do you miss your friends and family?”
“There’s not much family left to speak of since my husband passed away. And I have plenty of friends right here.” She leaned over and nudged her. “Present company included.”
How could Lacey help but love this frustrating, adorable lady? Would it be unprofessional to wrap her arms around the frail woman beside her?
Emily smiled. “Besides, who’d help rescue lonely cases like yourself if I returned home?”
The hugging urge evaporated.
“You can stop helping.” Lacey scooted to the right. “I’m dating Ricardo.”
Emily’s hands slid across the metal railing as she moved closer. “You may require more help than you realize.”
“Ricardo is a great guy. He’s sweet.”
“Yes, he is.”
“And attractive.”
“Bottle his looks, and you’d make a fortune.”
“And … and he cooks well.”
“Especially his cherry tarts.”
“He’s”—Lacey searched for a new word—“sweet.”
“So you said.” Emily stared out at the ocean. “But I can’t give him the unconditional Shipper stamp of approval. I admit we used to think Ricardo was a viable match, but now we’ve witnessed you with Jon …” She turned to Lacey and shook her head. “Ricardo isn’t right for you. Jon is the one.”
“The one?” Lacey scoffed. “Do you really believe there’s only one somebody for each person in the world?”
“No.” Emily smiled. “I believe there’s only one somebody forsomepeople in this world. And you’re one of those people.”
The words dropped into Lacey like a coin in a fountain. Plunk! They floated deep down until they rested on top of her soul.
