Page 84 of Love Overboard
“I’m still busy. That’s why I came looking for you. I have a ton of work, but I couldn’t concentrate. I missed you too much.”
“Oh, really?” Lacey feigned an innocent expression.
“I figured if I saw you, I might be able to focus again.”
“How’s that working for you?”
Jon tugged on her hands. “Not so good. I can’t keep my mind on anything but you.”
Lacey cringed at the cheese level of their conversation, but the sound of a throat clearing made them turn their heads.
The neglected Abby sat in the same position. Her knuckle tapped against her chin. “I could be reaching here, Lacey, but I’m guessing you wanted to tell me about you and Jon. Has there been a”—her lips puckered before breaking into a sassy grin—“change in your relationship?”
Lacey slipped her hands out of Jon’s. “What gave it away?”
“The fact you forgot I was on the same planet, let alone at the same table.” Abby chuckled.
Jon scooted his chair closer to Lacey’s and placed his arm tight around her. “Congratulate us. We are officially an item.”
“My sincerest congratulations,” said Abby. “This is the best news since they told me someone else was assigned finger-painting duty. When did you become a couple?”
“On Nevis,” Jon said.
“What!” She pouted at Lacey. “And you didn’t tell me till now? I need a new roomie.”
“I’m sorry.” Lacey reached across the table. “I told Jon not to tell anyone. I wanted to tease the Shippers a little bit.”
Abby nodded. “Understandable. Okay, I forgive you.”
Jon stood and pushed his chair away. He tweaked Lacey’s earlobe. “Now that I’ve seen you, I have to get back to work. Costumes, music, a midnight chocolate buffet. The plans for the masquerade ball are crazy elaborate.”
“Chocolate buffet? Yum,” Abby said. “What made the company throw such a big shindig?”
Jon scooted his chair in. “It’s a pilot study thing. They’re hoping it will attract more customers to Monarch, set it apart from the other cruise lines. People like dressing up for formal night. How much more would they enjoy a masked royal ball, complete with a red carpet and plenty of selfie opportunities?”
“Sounds promising,” said Lacey.
Abby grimaced. “Unless you work in the children’s area. All I hear is extra hours babysitting the kiddos way past their bedtimes.”
“Good point.” Jon withdrew his phone and typed. “We should arrange special activities for the children and additional help for the childcare workers.” He walked away, still typing, without saying goodbye.
Abby ate the last bite of her chicken wrap. “At least you know you got a hard worker.”
Lacey gathered her silverware with her napkin and piled it on top of her now-cold lasagna. “So true.”
“Those Shippers do great work.” Abby took Lacey’s plate and tray and stacked them with her own. “Do they take applications?”
“I have no idea how they choose their victims.” Lacey stood.
The petite Abby rose and latched on to Lacey’s arm with the strength of a linebacker. “Please let them know I’m available.”
“You’re volunteering for the chopping block?”
“Why are you still knocking it? Look who you ended up with.” Abby sighed. “They could find me someone medium, dark, and dreamy.”
“Medium?”
Abby pointed at the top of her head. “When you’re as short as me, anything over five foot ten is a pain in the neck. Literally. I dated a basketball player in high school and spent my junior year walking around like I had a nosebleed.”
