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I shake my head, giggling at the bad pun.
“What’s so funny?” Carlton asks, one black brow arched.
“I just can’t believe this situation, that’s all,” I admit, feeling silly for being in such awe over a date. “I mean, did you ever think this would happen when we were kids in the burbs?”
To my surprise, Carlton’s expression is thoughtful and his voice is mild as he speaks. “No, but life is unpredictable, Ramona, and I’ve learned to go with the flow. Now, let me spoil you, sweetheart. We want to show the world how far two kids from Portnoy can go.”
He says this statement with such genuine candor that I immediately clam up. This is clearly a man who thinks big, and I feel bad for having such small dreams. Chastened, I put on my best smile to reassure him that I’m happy. “You’re good at the whole spoiling thing,” I laugh. “So let’s get to it!”
Carlton grins as we walk hand in hand up the gangplank toward the massive vessel. The wooden flooring shines beneath our feet as we make our way to one end of the ship. There, a table has been set up against one side of the deck, covered with ornate place-settings and silver dinnerware. I notice that a few soft blankets are folded neatly on a nearby chest, and that the candles are already lit, covered by hurricane lamps to protect against the gentle wind.
Like a true gentleman, Carlton pulls a chair out and gestures for me to take a seat.
“My lady,” he grins.
“Thank you,” I smile back, lowering myself onto the plush seat. Immediately, Carlton walks to the nearby chest and picks up one of the fluffy blankets. With the most tender of gestures, he tucks the warm wool around my body.
“I have better ideas of how to keep you warm, but will this do in the meantime?” Carlton’s tone is filled with desire, and I find my own heart pounding in response.
“Yes,” I answer breathily, “I’m good for now, thanks.”
“For now,” Carlton chuckles at my wording. He slides into the chair next to me and immediately places his large, warm palm over my own.
“Ready?”
“Ready for what?” I ask him, my mind preoccupied by how good his hand feels in mine.
There’s a slight jostle, like the yacht is moving.
“We’re going to take a little sunset cruise around the lake.”
“We are?” I squeal with delight. “OMG, this is going to be so amazing.” Although I’ve lived in Chicago for almost a year now, I’ve yet to have the chance to explore Lake Michigan in full, and never by boat.
“I take it you like my idea?” Carlton grins widely.
“I do,” I respond enthusiastically. “This is going to be fun.” Hell, revenge plans or not, this is one date I’m likely never to forget.
Within a few minutes, the yacht sails out onto the water. The sky is filled with glorious clouds in every shade of pink, orange, and yellow. The water is surprisingly calm, a perfect reflection of the sky above.
“Do you control the weather, too?” I tease Carlton. “It seems everything goes your way.”
He chuckles with laughter. “Yeah, the sky better do as I say, otherwise … you know what.”
“What?” I ask, feigning surprise. But then at that moment, a man in a white uniform emerges from one of the cabins carrying a bottle of wine. The man – presumably a staff member – inclines his head politely at us before presenting the bottle to my date.
“Our best cabernet, sir,” he says.
“Thank you, this will do nicely,” Carlton answers while nodding like a pro.
The man pours us each a glass of the deep red wine, and once he’s retreated to the cabin, Carlton holds up his glass. “To many adventures together, in the office and otherwise.”
I smile at his toast, immediately curious what kind of adventures a man as intriguing as Carlton James might want to take me on.
“Cheers to that.” I clink my own wineglass daintily against his.
We each sip and turn our attention to the sunset unfolding across the open water. It’s absolutely gorgeous, with oranges and pinks streaming across the sky, the cumulus clouds streaked with purple. I feel a slight twinge of remorse that my intentions with Carlton aren’t exactly wholesome, but I try to remind myself that it doesn’t make me evil or petty. It just makes me human.
But then I decide that just for tonight, I’ll forget about my revenge plan and focus instead of getting to know the man I used to be so close to. After all, why waste such a beautiful night? Peace descends on my shoulders, and I smile beatifically at the man next to me.
“When did you move to Chicago?” I ask in a gentle tone.
Carlton leans forward on one elbow and considers my question. “I guess about four years ago? But I wasn’t here permanently at that time. I was just getting things up and running, and really, was traveling more than anything meeting with investors, talking to stakeholders, and all that. Now that things have settled down, I’ve been here more consistently.”
