Tohan tipped his hand back and forth. “Most are taking it okay.”
“Except for Jeremy,” she guessed.
“Correct. He can be…”
“A pain in the rumpus.”
Tohan smiled. “You are a perceptive woman, Millie Armati. Money doesn’t make people happy. Sometimes it is the opposite.”
“Very true. I hope you enjoy your time on board Siren of the Seas.”
“Based on your questions, we will for sure not be returning to Miami before the end of the voyage?” he asked.
“The only reason we would return or change course is in the event of an emergency, health or otherwise.” Millie answered a few more questions and exchanged cell phone numbers with him before making her way to the cabin next door.
Devan and Sasha, the other couple, greeted her, appearing grateful for the clothing and other needed items. She handed them the corresponding keycards and repeated what she’d told Tohan but didn’t offer her cell phone number, only told them if they needed assistance to contact Guest Services. “You’ll also need to visit Guest Services if you plan to charge items. Perhaps you have someone back home who is willing to add an expense account for you,” she suggested.
“What’s included? I mean, what won’t we be charged for?” Sasha asked.
“Food in the main dining room or at the buffet. We have a pizza station and deli shop. Tea, coffee, lemonade and juice are all available twenty-four hours a day in the buffet.”
“I think…I’m sure we can get by without making other purchases,” she said. “Thank you for helping us, Millie.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her last stop was Jeremy and Willow’s cabin. Millie gave the door a sharp rap. A dull thud echoed. The door slowly opened. A sour-faced Jeremy Manning stood on the other side. “Hello.”
Millie held up the bags. “I’ve found some clothing items that might fit.”
He snatched the bags from her hands. “Used clothes?” he snarled.
“Correct. The gift shop and stores are open if you wish to set up an onboard account and purchase items.”
“You mean pay for stuff? What about workout clothes? I hit the gym twice a day and need something to exercise in.”
“There is an assortment in the bag, including swim trunks, if you plan to use the pools or hot tubs.”
Jeremy dug the Lacoste shirt out of the pile. “This appears to be the only quality item.” He promptly removed his wrinkled T-shirt and put it on. “It’s a decent fit. I’m not sure about the other stuff. It looks cheap.”
“Maybe you can swap with someone in your group, do a clothing exchange.” She shifted her feet. “As soon as you provide a credit card to Guest Services, feel free to shop in the stores. We have brand-name clothing items for sale.”
Jeremy tugged at the shirt’s collar and scratched his chest. “I never should have left without my backpack.”
“You would have risked your life for a backpack?” she asked incredulously.
“Clearly, we have different priorities.” Jeremy’s scratching moved from his chest to his armpits. Scratch, scratch, scratch. “What did you wash this thing in? Poison ivy?”
Millie, realizing what had happened, that the itching powder was in play, looked away, struggling to keep from laughing. “You make it sound as if it’s Siren of the Seas’ fault that your father’s yacht sank. Might I remind youwerescued you.”
“But you could’ve towed the yacht, or at the very least made an effort to retrieve our personal belongings,” he argued.
“You can’t be serious.”
Jeremy called her an unpleasant name rhyming with “witch” and slammed the door in her face.
She sucked in a breath and pounded on the door again.
It flew open.
