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"My goodness. That must be a lot of Twizzlers." Rose walks over and peeks into my bag. She gives me a puzzled look before stepping back to rejoin her friends.
"They're my comfort snack. They ward off all kinds ofevils." I stress my last word as Dane walks through the reception area. I can't help wanting to get a rise out of him.
He stops and gives me a mini grin. "So licorice wards off evil. Does it work like garlic on vampires?"
"Actually, it's good at warding offliars."
Dane stares at me, and by the flush on his face, it's clear he knows I'm referring to him.
I turn toward the ladies. "If you'll excuse me, I need to take my bag of treasures to my cabin."
"Of course, dear," Iris says. "I hope you'll join us at our table for dinner."
"I'd love to. I'll see you at dinner." I give Dane a deceptively sweet smile and walk away, expelling the deep breath I'm holding as soon as I'm out of earshot.
Back in my cabin, I toss my bag on the dresser in front of the bed and collapse in the chair. What a clusterfuck this trip has turned out to be. If only I'd known Laurel's advice would lead to a disaster. Thinking about Laurel, I should call her. I dig my cell phone from the purse still draped across my body and dial her number. She answers on the fourth ring.
"Hey, Britt. I didn't expect to hear from you again so soon. Everything okay?"
"No. I'm stuck in cruise ship hell."
"Uh-oh, what happened?"
"Dane is here."
"Dane? Oh, shit. The guy from last night. Wait. Why is he there?"
"He's a waiter on the ship."
"Whoa! Okay, back up. I'm confused. You said he owned some international company."
"Well…apparently, that was a lie." I tug at my ear. "Maybe everything he said was a lie. I'm not sure."
"Oh, shit. How did you find out?"
"He showed up in the lounge serving glasses of wine. We haven't spoken but a couple of words to each other, and I have no idea what the real story is or who he is, for that matter. I'd leave the ship if I could, but the repercussions would be too great."
"What an asshole! You know what you should do?"
"Oh, no. I'm not taking any more advice from you. That's what got me in this spot." I shake my head vigorously even though I know she can't see me. "I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'll figure something out."
"Fine, but I think you should give him hell so he knows you're on to him. Then I wouldn't give him the time of day. Blow him off like he doesn't exist, and don't let him get to you. Make him think you don't give a shit about him."
I sigh. "I said no more advice, and you're giving it to me anyway. Stop, okay?"
"Sorry, I can't help it. I got all worked up. Seriously, though, is there anything you need or something I can do?"
"No. I'll be all right. I need to work this out."
"I'll let you go, then. My neighbor will be here any minute."
"I thought you saw him earlier?"
"Nah. The guy wanted to screw but was on his way out the door. So he's coming over now. I gotta go. Call me later. Love you."
"Love you too." I hang up and sink into my chair, feeling deflated.
A few minutes go by, then a half hour, then an hour as I mull over my options and devise a game plan. The more I contemplate what Laurel said, the more I think she might be partially right. Rather than a full-on attack, I should hit him with subtle but painful snips so my ire isn't apparent to the others, and I refrain from making a scene. And rather than blow him off, maybe I should drive him crazy instead. Let him see what he tasted and can't touch again. I'll be the temptress—Delilah to his Sampson—except Dane won't be allowed to bite. Ha! The plan sounds simple enough.
