Page 16 of Love on Deck

I’d perked up, though. The word conference was like a shot of espresso to my veins. “What do you do again?”

Jack hesitated a beat. “Marketing.”

I flipped through my mental rolodex for marketing conferences coming up. Nope, nothing. “What kind of conference?”

“Medical. I’m just on their marketing team, so I’m on the conference board.”

My world stuttered to a stop. He couldn’t possibly be in charge of planning one of the biggest conferences in Dallas, could he? “The MediCorp conference at the Event Center downtown?”

His fork hovered over the plate. “Yeahhh...”

“How do you not know what he does?” Amelia asked, narrowing her gaze.

This was it. The moment of truth. I’d said I wouldn’t lie, so here goes—

“You don’t know everything about Kevin, I bet,” Jack said smoothly.

“No,” she agreed, “but I probably know most things.”

“Did you in the beginning of your relationship?”

She didn’t seem convinced, but lowered her attention to her breakfast. I hovered on a swinging rope bridge between her and Jack, searching for the right words in the rocky chasm beneath my feet. We’re not actually dating. Last night was a weird thing, and I don’t really know how it all happened because it happened so fast, but now apparently we’re pretending to date to keep Sydney off Jack’s back, so can you play along with it and please don’t be mad?

That was better than nothing.

I cleared my throat and straightened in my seat. “Listen, Ames. We’re not—”

“Good morning!” Sydney hollered, evidently unaware of the other people eating breakfast who were probably enjoying the general peacefulness before she’d arrived. Cara was right behind her, and she waved as they went to the counter to order.

Well, I couldn’t give my confession now. I shoved my last few bites of oatmeal in my mouth and didn’t bother finishing my backwash juice.

“So much for savoring,” Jack said, leaning close.

I pressed my shoulder against his, though there wasn’t as much give there as I’d expected. “More like an opportunity has arisen for an empty hotel room. I’m going to take it.”

“Should I come?”

“Not necessary.” I put my computer away and started edging toward him on the bench seat, bumping into him in the universal language that stated let me out.

Jack wasn’t budging. “I don’t mind. I’ve finished eating anyway.”

I looked into his green eyes and told myself they weren’t mesmerizing. The fact was, I couldn’t get Jack’s job out of my head. It was spinning like a kid’s twirly top and made it hard to think of anything else. His company was putting on one of the largest events this spring in Dallas. He was on the board. The potential here was so alluring I could kiss it.

“Fine. Yes, please, come with me.”

His gaze snapped to mine, flashing. Was his playfulness engaging? He made me nervous when he looked at me that intently, so I turned my attention to collecting my things, which were already gathered in my laptop bag.

Now I just looked silly.

Jack finally had pity on me and scooted off the bench, offering me his hand when I gracefully exited as well. “The seat’s all yours,” he said to Sydney and Cara, gesturing to our vacated places at the table, our breakfast dishes waiting to be cleared.

“Thanks!” Cara didn’t seem to care. She took a seat.

Sydney pouted. “You don’t want to stay a little longer?” Her eyes roamed him. I wanted to wave a hand in her face, like hello, I’m standing right here. It’s me, his (fake) girlfriend.

Jack squeezed my fingers, pulling me closer. Safety blanket, that was me. “We’re good. It’s almost time to head over to the ship, right? I’m sure we’ll see you soon.”

He all but dragged me away. When we reached the elevator and the door closed, he still didn’t release my hand. I pulled it lightly from his grip, and he looked at me, surprised. He’d probably forgotten he’d been holding it.

---