Page 41 of Kiss Me at Midnight
“Si.” Paulo headed for the stairs.
“It’s going to be a glorious sunset.” Dotty climbed the stairs with a slow but steady pace. “If you were looking for a big, romantic moment. Tonight’s the night.”
Jud didn’t say anything. He hoped to spend time with Lily tonight, but not when in full view of Rachel and her cameras. If Lily wanted privacy, he’d provide it.
Dotty reached the dining room landing. She went to stand at the door separating the dining room from the bridge, crossing her arms and staring at the crew.
The captain came to the other side of the glass door, nodded to acknowledge Dotty, and then shut the drapes between the two rooms.
“That man.” Dotty flounced around. “I think he blames me for you two falling overboard.”
And rightly so.
Paulo hugged Dotty. “I forgive you.”
“Forgive?” Dotty huffed, breaking free of the big man’s embrace. “What’s to forgive?”
Jud wisely kept silent.
Abe ascended the stairs, looking worn out. Even his spiky hair drooped. “Rachel’s determined to go through with this wedding even though her agent is now telling her not to. Something about over-exposure.” Abe was winded. He leaned on a chair back. “Why did I bring you along, Hambly? Nothing’s happening.”
“Abe, it’s clear you need moral support.” Dotty hugged him, patting his back as she added, “You should have offered a bonus to get things done in less than five days.”
Abe disengaged himself and called for wine.
Rachel entered the dining room in a black pantsuit with a plunging neckline. Marta followed her in, silently moving to her place at the table but keeping her gaze on the staircase instead of on her mistress.
Paulo scurried to Rachel’s side, showering her with kisses, murmuring in Portuguese, and making Jud want to slug him.
“Where’s Lily?” Rachel gave Paulo a gentle push and stalked to her seat at the head of the table. “I hope Lily wasn’t offended by my little post earlier. My social media is all about my brand, which is fashion.”
“And backstabbing, which is cliché.” Dotty was leaning over the stair rail, oblivious to Rachel’s sharp intake of breath. She straightened. “Lily’s almost here.” She passed Jud on the way to her seat, grinning as if the captain’s snub had been forgotten. “Don’t get me wrong, Rachel dear. Every show must have its villain. It’s just that this isn’t a show. It’s real life. And sometimes in real life, villains get their comeuppance.” The way Dotty spoke–gleeful anticipation in her tone–it was as if Lily was about to enter the ring for a throw down contest between good and evil.
Adding to the impression, Marta leaned forward.
“Did I miss something?” Abe scanned the room.
Jud moved to the stairwell just as Lily rounded its curving steps beneath him.
Her hair was pinned in a sophisticated style around her head. Her make-up was brighter than usual–heavy black lined her eyes, false eyelashes fluttered gracefully against her cheeks, ruby red lips curved in a confident smile when she saw him. And her dress…
It was black and strapless. And with each step of her right leg, the front floor-length skirt parted nearly to the top of her thigh.
Jud couldn’t move. He’d admitted there was chemistry between them. But this…Lily Summer wasn’t boring or Mary Poppins. He wanted to date her. He wanted to date her for real. He had since the hot tub? No. Since their first kiss. Not even. It had been since the moment she’d slid her glasses on at the hotel and had fixed him with a look that said she saw right through him.
“Way to bring it, dear.” Dotty blew an air kiss to her granddaughter when Lily reached the landing. And then she opened a flip phone and snapped a photo.
“I hope you didn’t hold up dinner on my account.” Lily signaled to the porter that they were ready to be served, a job usually executed by Rachel.
Jud and Paulo hastened to pull out Lily’s chair.
“Paulo,” Rachel sharply called her fiancé to heel. And when Lily was seated, Rachel looked at Lily and said, “Touché.”
“Aren’t you supposed to dress up on a cruise?” Lily laughed, a completely fake sound but exciting to Jud, nonetheless. “As you pointed out yesterday, I don’t do it near enough.” Lily glanced across the table, flashing a grateful smile. “Thanks for helping me with my hair and make-up, Marta.”
“My pleasure.” And Marta did look as if it had given her joy, despite Rachel’s deep frown.
“How kind of you, Marta.” Rachel’s gaze narrowed in, targeting her minion.
