Page 24 of Hearts Aweigh
Spencer read the last addition. “‘The party of the second part will be given a one-hour break, in addition to mealtimes, fordating.’” His face was still pointed at the paper, but his gaze rose to hers. “Dating?”
Abby grinned.
“Does Monarch Cruises always include dating in your childcare schedule?”
“Not as a rule.” She laughed. “But I’ve recently enlisted the experts to help me with my love life, and I don’t want them to forget about me.”
“Experts? You mean my mother and her friends?”
“Yes. They’ll be arranging different dates for me.”
“Can’t you attend to these after working hours?”
“I’d like the option of going on a date while the sun’s still up. It may not always be at the same time, but I’ll give you plenty of advance warning. During that hour you can enjoy your frivolous activity with Madeleine. A two-for-one deal.”
“I still can’t fathom how Daisy is giving someone else advice about romance.” A short, derisive laugh left Spencer’s mouth. “You chose quite the expert.”
“She and her friends are amazing. The Shippers have arranged multiple happy couples.”
“The Shippers? They named their matchmaking service? Do they pass out business cards?”
“Please avoid the flippancy.” Abby echoed his words from earlier. “They’re called the Shippers because they arrange relationships. I convinced them to take me on by the skin of my teeth, and I’m not going to waste this opportunity.”
“Who will you be dating?” Spencer dropped the paper. “The shirt-tucked gentleman they introduced this afternoon?”
“Yes.” Her grin reappeared. “Wasn’t he cute?”
“I have no idea. So you’ve decided to marry the minister?”
“Not yet. We’re getting to know each other. And that takes time. Thus, my clause about taking an hour off.”
“To sum it all up”—he slapped the table—“you’re inserting a clause for your blind dates?”
“Yep. And no need to get thumpy. I have two brothers and three sisters who grew noisy at the slightest provocation, so it doesn’t affect me in the least. I’m supposed to meet Norville at the Trafalgar restaurant in thirty minutes.” She glanced at her phone again. “Are we done?”
Spencer drummed his fingers in a steady tattoo. He hated the third clause. It was unprofessional to include details about her love life. Although he’d written prenuptial agreements with much worse, even down to the number of infidelities each partner was allowed.
Spencer took the pen and scratched through something on the paper.
“Wait!” Abby reached out. “What are you changing?”
“You want me to spend forty-five minutes in a frivolous activity with my daughter while you’re on a sixty-minute date. The math doesn’t compute. I’m subtracting the extra fifteen minutes. I’ll give you an extra daily break of forty-five minutes. You can use it for romance or napping or whatever you choose. If you require any more time, you’ll have to arrange your dates for when you’re off the clock.”
Abby propped an elbow on the table, rested her chin in her hand, and her lips turned upward. “Deal.”
Spencer loosened the knot in his tie and stretched his neck. Why did he get the feeling he’d been had?
CHAPTER 11
VIOLIN MUSIC GREETED THESHIPPERSas they walked through the entrance of the most exclusive restaurant on the ship. When the maître d’ attempted to seat them in a booth, they politely declined and headed for a table near the window. It provided a clear view of the action, no matter where Abby and Norville sat on their date.
Emily studied the unfamiliar setup. Though they lived full-time on the ship, they rarely visited its Trafalgar, which boasted an expensive menu. Unlike other dining options, it cost over and above the price of their fare.
“Swanky.” Gerry pushed away three forks from the elaborate place setting, then adjusted the window shade to block the sunset’s blinding light.
Emily slid her purse under the leather seat. “No wonder they charge extra to eat here.”
Althea patted Daisy’s hand before picking up the menu. “How ’bout we share something?”
