Even though I criticize him out loud, a warm, tickling feeling hugs my insides. I’ve never heard anyone tell me to leap before looking. I get a rush just thinking about taking a chance. I wash my crazy thoughts down with champagne and take a calming breath.
I’m not going to spend the rest of the cruise angry at a guy who’s always been a prankster and mischievous brat.
So, he tricked me, but he also broke me out of my rigid, beauty-pageant, socialite, Stepford-wife-wannabe shell.
“I no longer care!” I sing gleefully as I shove caviar-crusted toasts into my mouth and pour myself another flute of champagne. I stab the small oyster fork into the shell and twirl it around the meat.
A large, lustrous pearl lays underneath the oyster flesh. It’s huge, the size of a marble, and set on a pendant with a bezel diamond above it.
I wash it off and put it on. The pendant sits right above my cleavage. I wish Jordan were here to put it on and explain what’s going on.
Why is he pampering me with food, flowers, and gifts?
Does he really think this will make up for the horrible trick he played on me?
I finish the meal and grab my phone, surprised to find a slew of text messages.
They’re from Jade.
Where are you?
What did you do to Dani?
Not going to answer. I see. I’m truly disappointed.
I text her back.This is Dani. I think you have the wrong number.
A few seconds later, she responds.Did you and Jordan swap phones?
No. This is my phone.
Then you must have swapped SIM cards. What the heck is going on? I’m worried about you.
Why? I’m on my way back home. I don’t know why Jordan would swap SIM cards. What do you think he’s up to?
Wait. I’m going to try and track your phone. Do you have a password?
I text her my password and wait.
Her text comes back.Your phone’s offline. Last seen at Honolulu International Airport.
Great. So Jordan has my phone, and he’s not on board.
You don’t know that. Your phone was at the airport, but it doesn’t mean Jordan is there.
You mean my SIM card. I have my phone and it has all my apps, my ebooks and photos.
SMH, Jade texts.I’m so sorry this happened to you.
Yeah, me too. But the silver lining is I’ll have all our memories.
Aiden knows some ex-Secret-Service agents. We’re not going to let Jordan get away.
It’s okay. He gave and he got, but he set me free from Stephen and my family’s expectations. Maybe it’s better if they think I flew away from Honolulu to parts unknown.
What are you thinking?
I don’t quite know,I text back.But somehow, I like the not knowing.
