Page 84 of Juicy Pickle

“You did, I take it?”

“I did. The whole politics angle. Not to be a politician, of course. But to be part of it. In the capitol. Watching it all happen. Researching. Helping.”

She mentioned something about this before. “But you didn’t.”

“Couldn’t. All the internships went to people who had connections. Family. Business partners. Until I tried to break into it, I had no idea how much of it was rigged. Sure, some people worked hard and broke in anyway, but they were exceptions. Everyone liked to point to them as if to say, ‘See, you can do it, too.’ But I couldn’t. Breaking in without someone giving you a leg up was like winning the lottery.”

My stomach turns. She’s talking about exactly the situation I’m in. No one else has a shot at my job because it was made solely for me.

“I think you would have made an excellent senator’s assistant.”

She nips at my shoulder. “I would have. Are you about to go give a speech I didn’t write?”

I chuckle even though I’m not feeling the lightness of it. “I’m sure it will be vastly inferior to the one you would have prepared.”

“How long do you have?”

I glance at the clock on the narrow shelf. “Not much time. In fact, I better get to my cabin to shower and dress.”

She stays in bed as I pull away. “I don’t think I’m going to go,” she says. “I’m not up for facing everyone yet.”

“That’s fine. All in good time.” I lean down to kiss her again. “I’ll be back as soon as I can possibly escape.”

“Okay.” Her gaze follows me as I gather my clothes. “I’ll be waiting.”

When I arrive at the dining room, straightening the tie to my tux, Gloria is waiting outside the door. “You’re on as soon as you’re ready.” She takes over fixing my bowtie. “If you aren’t up for giving a speech after your ordeal, we can make excuses.”

“I’m fine.”

She steps away. “The cards to the speech you wrote before we left are on the podium. You might want to add a line or two about the island. And stop by your table to say hello. Sarah and her husband are there as well as Matthew from accounting and his wife, along with my husband.”

“Got it.” I tug at my collar and suddenly flash with the moment I murmured to Bailey that we should have a naked day on the island. Lots better than this monkey suit.

But outwardly, I nod and smile at the employees I pass, already seated at their tables with salads and wine.

I pause near the front to greet Sarah and Matthew.

Then it’s to the podium.

A crew member hurries forward to test the microphone. I glance through the cards, noting a line I can alter to mention the island escapade.

This will be fine.

“It’s all yours,” the woman says and steps off to the side.

I don’t mind speeches. I have to stand in boardrooms all the time and give presentations.

But looking out on the room full of my employees today feels different. They’re all leaning into each other, whispering and glancing my way. I feel like a fish out of water, gulping for air.

I set my cards down. It might be better to go off the cuff.

“Hello, everyone. Welcome to the final dinner of our company cruise. It looks a far cry better than leftover oysters and a bucket of pickles, which is what I lived on yesterday.”

Everyone laughs, and the whispering stops completely. I have their attention.

“One thing being stranded on an island will teach you is that only a few things are important. Clean water. Avoiding injury. Staying out of the sun. During my time there, I got a crash course in prioritization. It’s one of the lessons I will take back with me to Dougherty.” On the fly, I decide, “So naturally no one is expected to go in tomorrow even though we will dock early in the morning. We will let the temps handle it. It’s more important we recover from this adventure, me included.”

A wave of cheers rises.

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