Page 33 of Revenge Honeymoon

Seriously, anyone could tell it was as fake as the braided weave Sylvia wore on her head.

“Better than dining alone, right Emily?” Max asked. He stretched his lean body and smiled.

Why did he have to be so polite and kind and beautiful?

“Yes, you’re so right,” Emily agreed, trying not to grit her teeth.

Why couldn’t she be as pleasant as Max? Why couldn’t she pour on the charm and make Sylvia believe she had no problems whatsoever with a third wheel sharing their breakfast ‘date’ that wasn’t really a date, but was merely a coincidence of fate? A coincidence that led Emily to believe Max could possibly be more than a fantasy. More than a friend. More than a cruise acquaintance who would promptly forget all about her the minute the ship entered port on their last day.

Le sigh.

Sylvia beamed. “You’re in a bit of a strange position, Maxwell—I mean, Max. Sorry.”

“That’s okay.” He waved his hand in protest. “I know Emily thinks it bugs me, but it happens all the time.”

It didn’t bug him? Was it weird that Emily had been correcting people? Or was Max sorta kinda liking this dark-skinned, attractive, intruding cruise director?

Heat flooded her cheeks.

Sylvia’s gaze flipped to Emily and then back to Max. “What I meant to say, rather inelegantly, is that you are more than welcome to hang out with us crew when you’re free.” She reached across the table and touched his arm. “I know it’s a bit awkward to be on deck with all of these honeymooning couples when you’re single.”

Sylvia touched his arm.

Alarm bells sounded in her head.

But what could Emily do? She was as much a stranger to Max as Sylvia. Why wouldn’t he accept such a nice invitation from a pretty-ish single woman flirting with him over empty orange juice glasses, French toast crusts, and cold ham?

Time to stick her neck out.

Emergency situation!

“Yes, Ruby and I have been chatting with Max about that very thing...the awkwardness. As single, available women”—Emily emphasized the word ‘available’ a little too strongly—“surrounded by married couples, we offered to band together. The three of us. To make the cruise a little more enjoyable.” Then she smiled the sweetest, kindest smile she knew how to smile. “It would really be wonderful, Sylvia, if you could give us your professional opinion—as an employee of the cruise ship—what the best excursions are for a threesome. Or maybe even entertainment on the ship?”

“Oh?” Sylvia put a hand to her chest. “You need recommendations? I thought you did just fine at the trivia contest last night.” She directed her next words at Max. “Weren’t their answers hilarious? I mean, my God, I don’t know if I would’ve been so brave as to reveal some of the personal stuff they did.”

Emily’s breath hitched in her throat.

Don’t you dare say it. Don’t you dare.

“The noises? In the bedroom?” Sylvia waved a hand back and forth in front of her face as if her temperature had risen several degrees.

Max fidgeted in his chair and cleared his throat. “Right. Pretty revealing.”

He wouldn’t look at Emily. In fact, he seemed to be going out of his way to look at anything but her. Up, down, left, right.

A thin, tall server appeared at their table. “Madame, may I take your plate?”

Thank God.

“Yes, please.” Emily glanced at her watch, pretending to read the time. “Oh, dear, looks like I need to be going.” Whatever it took to escape from the conversation. Even if it meant leaving the company of Max. “Ruby will be awake any minute.”

“Oh, then do scamper off.” Sylvia made a shooing motion with her hands. “I’ll make sure Max is entertained.”

Dammit.

This whole breakfast thing was not working out as she’d planned.

Max scooted back his chair. “Let me go with you, Em, and I can pick up my jacket.”

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