Page 46 of Love Overboard
She held up a finger. “One last thing. Don’t mention our talk to Lacey. She wouldn’t appreciate it.”
Emily left without a goodbye, and Jon sank onto his desk chair. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the medicine. Twisting the tube in his fingers, he considered her advice. He should be concentrating on the investigation, not romance, and pursuing the beautiful but prickly hostess guaranteed more scrapes and dings on his already battered ego. But the little matchmaker was right about one thing.
Lacey was worth it.
CHAPTER 21
FOUR MINUTES UNTIL THE BANDarrived. Lacey checked the strategically placed tables to make sure no one swiped the chairs. The glossy wooden dance floor gleamed in the sunlight, waiting for the twinkle-toed tourists.
“Someone was asking for you.” Abby sidled up with a mischievous expression.
Lacey’s breath caught, and she searched the deck for that familiar pair of broad shoulders. Passengers milled around in various stages of undress, from shorts and T-shirts to string bikinis. But no handsome cruise directors.
“Here he comes,” Abby singsonged and pointed.
Lacey looked to her right. Her breathing returned to normal. Ricardo bounced across the deck with a small paper box.
“Hermosa!” He slid to a stop and held out his gift with both hands. “We did not get the churros you wanted on our date. I baked these for you.”
“That’s so nice.” Lacey took the box and peeked under the lid at the skinny, sugar-covered treats. Why did she feel more excited about the churros than Ricardo? “I hope you didn’t use all the flour again.”
Ricardo’s smile wavered, then he laughed. “No. We have enough now.”
A six-piece band tromped onto the small stage beside them and unpacked their instruments. Passengers wandered over and settled on chairs to enjoy the show. A not-so-shy couple dashed onto the dance floor in front of the musicians and launched into a rumba before the music even started. The piano player churned his arm like a windmill for the others to hurry. The guitarist plugged his instrument into the amp, and the band gave the dancers a lively beat to show off their moves to.
“It’s crowded here.” Abby grinned at Lacey like a kid with a secret candy stash. “Later, alligator.”
Ricardo placed his palm at the small of Lacey’s back and urged her past the crowd to stand at the railing. He balled two fists at chest height and wiggled his torso. “Would you care to dance?”
“Pass.” Lacey shook her head.
Ricardo put a hand on either side of her and rested them on the deck rail. He leaned close enough to pierce her personal-space bubble. Lacey blinked and settled her gaze on the mouth that drew ever closer to hers.
“Your assistance with my laundry was so sweet.” A smattering of black stubble covered his upper lip.
“I’m glad I could help you out.” Lacey cleared her throat. “This one time.”
He tilted his head to the right and moved in. Her fingers tightened on the churro box. Lacey jerked away. Ricardo’s mouth grazed the side of her cheek as her eyes connected with a pair of dark ones on the balcony above. Jon stood overlooking the lido deck, near enough she saw the muscle jumping in his jaw. His easy smile was absent. Lacey stiffened. Ricardo bent to nuzzle her neck, and she squirmed from his arms.
“I don’t … that is … there’s somewhere I have to be.” She tottered to the side in her haste to escape. “See you later.”
Lacey took off toward the elevators without another word. Not that she was running from Ricardo—or Jon. She spared a quick glance, but he hadn’t followed. An elevator was closing, and Lacey hurried to catch it. She pressed the call button, the doors parted again, and she stepped inside—right next to Emily Windsor. Lacey’s first instinct was to run back out, but that would be cowardly. She stayed put, and the two faced the doors as they shut.
“Hello, Lacey.”
She saw Emily’s reflection in the shiny metal doors, watching her. “Hello.”
“Isn’t it a beautiful day?”
“Lovely.” Lacey smoothed the front of her hostess jacket and tucked a stray hair in place.
The matchmaker’s reflection contemplated every movement. “I heard you’re dating Ricardo Montoya.”
“Yes.”
“Wasn’t that a hasty decision?”
Lacey observed Reflection Emily. “Ms. Paroo told me I should make more memories.”
