AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Could we?”
He kissed her soundly. “I’ll see to it right now. Do you want to send anything to anyone else?”
She licked her lips to savor his kiss. “No. Just bring a few for me, will you?”
“Of course. We ought to sample them. I’ll be right back.”
She blew him a kiss as he left. She raised her hand to her cheek and quickly pulled it away. She’d not expected to remain in modeling many more years, and if the accident ended her career, she’d not waste a minute crying over it. It was just the way life worked. As for acting, special effects created all sorts of magical creatures, and her scar wouldn’t be a challenge to cover. Still, the accident had changed her life so suddenly, it was difficult to cope as easily as she pretended for Alejandro. She wanted the truth from him, but as a woman, she ought to be allowed a few secrets.
Alejandro was such a good man, he probably wouldn’t even see her scar. She was so lucky to have met him. They’d been together constantly since she’d checked out of the hospital, and she wasn’t in the least bit tired of his company. Things would be different when they came home and resumed their usual lives, but for now, they got along so beautifully, she wouldn’t ruin it complaining about her looks.
There were eight places at the captain’s table. The chair on Gabriel Reyes’s right had been removed to accommodate her wheelchair, and Alejandro had the seat beside hers. She’d had Fatima pack gowns appropriate for the evenings and wore the silvery white dress she’d traded with Libby Gunderson at the charity benefit. The captain was in his uniform, and the men wore dinner jackets. Alejandro’s fit him beautifully.
Joseph and Maricela Lopez were seated beside him. Newlyweds in their sixties, they could barely keep their hands off each other. Ana thought it was sweet, but Alejandro looked more distressed than amused. She reached under the table to squeeze his knee, and he caught her hand.
A married pair of dentists, Olga and Memo Talleda, had blinding smiles, and Linda Suarez was at the Captain’s left. A sultry brunette wearing a low cut red gown, she introduced herself as a psychologist who worked with bright children to ensure they received the finest in education.
“I’m happy to have all of you at my table,” Gabriel Reyes said. “The Ortiz Line serves quality meals to everyone on board, but I believe the food is even more delicious at my table, perhaps due to the entertaining company. Have you all settled into your cabins?”
Ana smiled as the others shared more about themselves, but when Gabriel glanced her way, her mind went blank. He’d given her name earlier, and she could not recall the last time she’d had to say anything more about herself. She’d been the first to visit the Siren’s hair salon, caught her hair loosely in a clip at her nape, and left gently curled strands free to cover her cheek, but no one would expect a model to be in a wheelchair. Horribly embarrassed she couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say, she looked up at Alejandro.
“My wife is too modest to admit to being one of Europe’s most popular haute couture models, but we’ve come on the cruise to relax rather than promote her career.”
Linda Suarez peered at Ana more closely. “I’m sorry, I must not have been listening when the captain introduced you and your husband. Otherwise, I don’t know how I missed recognizing you. Are you also a model, Mr. Vasquez?”
“I’m an architect.”
“How wonderful,” Linda continued. “Two diverse careers will create a nice balance.”
“We hope so,” Alejandro replied.
The dentists flashed their sparkling smiles. “This is a second honeymoon for us,” Olga remarked. “How long have you and Alejandro been married, Ana?”
Alejandro again answered for her. “We were married last week.”
“Then this is also your honeymoon,” Joseph Lopez exclaimed and hugged his giggling bride.
Maricela Lopez leaned in to speak to Ana. “You must have had a fabulous wedding. Who designed your gown?”
Ana whispered to her husband, “What did I wear?”
Alejandro brought her hand to his lips. “Ana suffered a concussion in an accident last weekend and has a slight memory loss. We plan to be married again soon so she’ll remember the ceremony.”
Linda Suarez studied them more closely. “You were there. What did she wear?”
“It was a civil ceremony, and she wore a gray suit.”
Ana frowned unhappily. “You’re not serious.”
“I didn’t pick it out, you did,” Alejandro countered. “You were beautiful as always, so what does it matter what you wore?”
“It’s such an odd choice,” Ana mused aloud. “Captain, could you marry us again so I’ll have something to remember while we plan a formal wedding?”
“I’ll be happy to conduct a ceremony. Would Sunday afternoon be a convenient time for you?”
“Could we all come?” Olga Talleda asked.
“Yes, let’s make a party of it,” Ana replied. “The chef makes the most wonderful pastries. Could he bake us a cake on such short notice?”
