Page 7 of Voyage with Dad's Best Friend
I get up a moment later. I rummage in my suitcase to find something nice to wear. I want to put on my pretty sundress, but decide to save it for later. I put on my bikini instead, under a light cotton cover up. I plan to swim in the ocean just in case Dan changes his mind later.
When I’m back to the saloon, Dan and Martha are making lunch in the galley.
“You don’t have to help me Martha, I’ve got it. Just sit back and relax.”
“Okay, Dan, I’ll just watch,” Martha says but doesn’t leave Dan’s side. “There’s nothing sexier than a man who cooks.”
I want to gag at the way she says it, and I hesitate to agree with her. My dad cooks all the time, and I wouldn’t call him sexy. The fact she thinks Dan sexy makes me jealous.
Dan only chuckles and doesn’t answer. “You’re not allergic to seafood, are you? I’m going to make Tuna sandwichs.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Medium-rare, okay?”
“Yes, perfect.”
“What about you, Elle?” Dan asks me.
“Yeah, I’m fine with medium-rare, too.”
Dan goes on to sear the steak, and soon the aroma fills the saloon and my stomach rumbles.
Letting the steak cook in the skillet, he empties a bag of salad into a large bowl and pours in balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
He’s about to mix the salad when Martha says, “I can help you with that!”
“You want to toss the salad? Sure,” Dan says, stepping aside.
“Yes, Dan,” Martha takes over the tongs from Dan’s hand, and says in a flirty voice. “I would gladly tossyoursalad!”
I gasp. Did she really say that? I look up at her with mouth open. Oh God. She’s batting her eyelashes at Dan! Her intention is unmistaken. She is hitting on Dan. Dan isn’t looking at her, but his face is red. He gives me a quick glance, and then says to Martha, “Jeez, I’d better watch my language.”
“Exactly!” Martha giggles coquettishly, and then she acknowledges me. “But I’m sure Elle has heard worse in college. My niece is about her age, and you cannot imagine the things she speaks with her friends!”
“Well, I don’t really know many college kids,” Dan says.
“Let me just say, they’re better educated than you and me,” Martha says with a coarse, vulgar laughter.
What does she mean?I decide I’ve had enough. I can’t stand watching the woman trying to get Dan’s attention at my expense. I go to the lounge and plop down onto the sofa, but I can’t do anything but brood. I think about Dan and Martha. What’s the nature of their relationship? Is Martha only Dan’s property manager, or is she something else, too? Are they sleeping with each other? My heart hurts at the possibility. Dan is a very eligible bachelor and I can see Martha is nuts about him. Likewise, Martha is also a beautiful woman, and I see no reason why Dan isn’t attracted to her. Any man would choose a seasoned, gorgeous woman like Martha instead of me, an ignorant, inexperienced girl of eighteen, not to mention a virgin. I can’t even bring myself to repeat a dirty joke. In fact, I can’t even say “that’s what she said” anymore ever since I found out the colloquial meaning of it.
But if Martha and Dan are an item, then why did he kiss me? He shouldn’t!
I sit sulking in the lounge until Dan pokes his head out of the saloon and tells me that lunch is ready.
Dan is a splendid cook. The tuna steak sandwich is delicious. I finish mine in a few quick bites. The two of them also have some margarita, but I can’t enjoy it because I’m not yet twenty-one.
Dan and Martha chat over their drinks after the meal.
“Do you get bored sometimes on your boat?” Martha asks Dan.
“Not really,” Dan says. “I always have something to do. I’m actually very busy most of the time.”
Martha is silent for a moment. “Let me know if you ever need a companion over the weekends. I could get used to the leisure,” she gazes at Dan eagerly.
Dan pauses for a second. “Sure, Martha, I’ll let you know. But are you sure you’d rather sleep in the cabin than in your own comfortable bed?”
Martha giggles. “You make me sound like a lazy bitch who sleeps all day. But yes, Dan. I prefer your boat than my own bedroom. You know, I have insomnia for years. But I slept like a baby earlier. I guess the rocking on the boat helps.”
