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He had an idea, but it might make him come off as an arrogant prick if Eden took it the wrong way. And so far, he wasn’t wracking up the points with her. “How about if they all agreed to you having dinner with me?” he asked.
“Please don’t tell me that you’re going to run around asking the crew if it’s okay to have dinner with me. Asking my father was bad enough,” she said.
“You can ask them,” he insisted. “And to sweeten the pot, I’ll promise to give the crew at least a fifty percent bonus if they agree to allow you time off to eat all of your meals with me while we’re on our way to France.”
“All of my meals?” she squeaked. “I can’t eat three meals a day with you, Bowie.”
“All right,” he agreed, “fifty percent for all of your dinners.”
“That’s still a lot,” she insisted.
He shrugged, “Take it or leave it. I’ll wait while you ask around.”
“You can’t be serious,” she said.
“I’m very serious,” he said.
“This is a bad idea,” she insisted. He watched as she disappeared from the dining room. Bowie wasn’t sure if he should follow her or sit and wait. He had a feeling that his trailing after her would only piss her off, so he decided to sit and wait for her. Just when his impatience was about to win out, Eden reappeared in the dining room with another place setting.
“Well, you’ll be happy to hear that the crew have agreed to your terms and conditions,” she mumbled, practically tossing her plate down onto the table.
“You make it sound like a hostage negotiation,” he said, holding out her chair for her.
“Good, because that’s what it feels like,” she said. “I mean, I am staying here against my will, and you are paying money to have me here.”
“Right, but it doesn’t really work that way. I mean, if you’re my hostage, then shouldn’t the crew pay me for your release?” he asked. She let out her breath and sat down in the chair he was offering her. As soon as she was seated, he helped scootch her in, as if sealing her into place so that she couldn’t escape. Bowie sat down next to her, and she placed her napkin on her lap.
“Will I be expected to dress for dinner from here on out?” Eden asked.
“You can dress any way that pleases you,” Bowie said. “Heck, you don’t have to wear anything to dinner, if that’s what makes you happy.”
“Um, I’ll just wear my uniform then, so that after dinner, I can get back to my duties.” He wanted to make a joke about her joining him in his cabin was out of the question then, but she didn’t seem like she was in a joking mood. In fact, her expression was downright sour.
“If that’s what you want,” he said, “I’m fine with that.”
“Gee, thanks,” she grumbled. Another woman whom he hadn’t yet met stepped into the dining room carrying a large tray of food.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hello, Mr. Wrath. I’m Jen and I’ll be taking care of you and Eden tonight.”
“Thanks, Jen, but I can tell him what we’re having tonight. You don’t have to do my job. In fact, I don’t mind giving you a hand.” Eden started to stand up and Jen stopped her.
“I don’t mind, Eden. This is kind of fun. I’m usually cleaning rooms and mopping the decks. This is a nice change of pace. Besides, you deserve a break. Just enjoy yourself.” It seemed that Eden was popular with the crew, even though her father was the captain. He wished that was the case in his company. Everyone seemed to hate him even more knowing that he was the boss’s son.
“Thanks, Jen,” Eden said. They listened to Jen tell them about the first course as she served them, and then, she left the room, pulling the door shut behind herself.
“This looks wonderful,” he said.
“Don’t,” she breathed.
“Don’t what?” he asked.
“This isn’t a real date, Bowie,” she spat. “I won’t be forced into dating anyone—not even you. You offered my friends a lot of money and that’s why I’m here.”
“You’ll get a share of the tip too, right?” he asked.
“I’ve offered to give up my share for this charter,” she admitted.
