Page 37 of Eat Your Heart Out
19
Ali
Crafting our story without revealing details was tricky when it came to staying with Gerard’s parents for the night, but at the end of the thousand-word blog post, it sounded like we were a match made in heaven who only discussed food.
As he pressed the publish button, I realized we were bouncing up and down from the heavy waves. I tensed as I saw everything near the pool had a tarp tied down over it. I gazed around the room and realized chairs, tables, and books might all be thrown around and a complete disaster if left out.
I closed my laptop. “That was perfect, but maybe we should help the crew with the library, as they are clearly busy with everything else.”
He held up the laptops and signaled we should go downstairs first to put our stuff away.
I nodded. I’d never owned an expensive computer, and I would not let this one get tossed around.
We went down the narrow hall and popped into our rooms. I dashed out, as I couldn’t bear to be apart from him, and he rejoined me in the hall so I wouldn’t have to enter his room.
“I’d like to go help with the engine room. Can you pack the library books and help out here for an hour?” he asked.
I saluted him then grabbed his arm. Touching him brought me a sense of belonging. “Good. Work helps me not be scared.”
He kissed my cheek. “Don’t worry about anything. The ship was made to withstand more than we’ll face.”
We walked to the steps, and I hugged my waist.
“So was theTitanic, and honestly, the only luck I ever have is bad.”
He winked at me. “This isn’t you. Relax.”
My heart thumped that it was. I was usually blind to danger, though this time, I was shaken with fear. I was sure we would sink, not that I said that out loud. Once he left, I wrung my hands. If I stayed there, I would pace and work myself into a fit.
I headed back to the library. However, as I started piling books, I realized there were cabinet doors that had slid forward from inside the shelves, so I tugged each door out and folded them in front, closing the books inside. All they needed were locks. I flagged down Zheng, and he took care of it but then mentioned the spa women were still working, as they had many little things out.
I rushed up the stairs and noticed the clouds were darkening. My pulse skyrocketed, but I held on and did as I’d promised. I walked inside and asked the two women packing makeup and oils, “Can I help?”
“Sure,” the pretty blonde said then motioned me toward the towels that needed to be put in a closet.
I got to work.
“Mr. Norouzi sure likes you, miss,” one girl said.
It felt awkward to be called “miss.” “What’s your name?”
“Katina.”
I repeated it in my head,Katina, and I prayed it wouldn’t be the last time I ever spoke to her. “Hi, Katina. Please, call me Ali.”
“Okay.” She went back to ensuring all her oils were stored.
I moved towels from their pile to the closet. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been at sea for a hurricane.”
She finished with her bottles. “We’re safer here than on land.”
“Doubtful,” I mumbled and finished with the towels.
She finished with her makeup faster than I could blink and walked to me and the closet. She patted my arms. “Relax. The crew is tying everything down.”
I hugged my waist and wished I were half as calm as she was. “Why did Gerard run to the engine room?”
She shrugged. “They are probably doing a safety check.”
