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“No, just making a little dinner. Come on out when you’re ready to eat.”
“I should just change out of this dress. Can you get my suitcase for me?”
I wince. “The suitcases are gone.”
“What do you mean, gone?”
“I had to dump them when I was trying to regain control.”
“What?” Her face falls. “But all I have is this dress.”
“If I hadn’t, we’d both be dead. Besides, you’ve got your clothes you were wearing before.
She nods and starts blinking fast again. Shit. She’s going to cry again.
“I know your other clothes are dirty. After the storm ends, we can find a way to wash them, okay?”
Paige turns her head to face out the window. “I’m going to need a minute I think.”
“Everything can be replaced, Paige. Besides, at least you have that massive makeup kit.” My attempt at humor lands with a thud. She glares at me, then turns away again.
“I’ll go check on dinner.” With that, I walk back over to the campfire, leaving her to scowl at me.
***
When Paige finally comes out, she practically falls, her dress clearly impeding her agility. She fills her arms with the puffy skirt and lifts it as she crosses the sand in my direction. I watch, totally amused, as she raises her chin like a debutante on a dance floor instead of a shipwrecked mess.
She sits daintily on the driftwood log next to me and clears her throat. “You have plates and cups?”
“I make it a habit to fly with everything I need.””
I hand her a plate with a pile of flaky, white fish on it. “I’m afraid it’s not gourmet but it’ll keep you going.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gamble.” She picks up a piece with her fingers before I have a chance to hand her a fork. “Ah! That’s hot.”
I hold a fork up to her.
“Oh, I thought we were going full Survivor.” Her cheeks color a bit.
I chuckle and hand her a bottle of water. “I like to keep things civilized, even when I’m stranded.”
“Stranded.” Her voice wavers.
“Not stranded. Just staying here for a bit. Wherever this is…We’ll be found soon. Don’t worry.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because your mother knows you were on the way. I’m sure she’s sent out the Coast Guard by now.”
Paige shakes her head. “No, she won’t call.”
“Sure she will.”
“She’ll assume I was lying.”
I cock my head to the side. “Why would she assume that?”
“Because I always seem to run into trouble like this. After a while, it’s natural for people to assume you’re just making stuff up.”
