Page 21 of Demon On Deck

“It’s nothing, Mom,” I say, even as I rub my chest where the ache has taken up residence since I watched Kallie walk away on the last night of the cruise.

My mother narrows her eyes and moves to stand.

Acting quickly, I spill, “I was thinking of Kallie. The woman I met on the cruise.”

Her expression softens. “Oh, sweetheart. I wish you had gotten her information or that the cruiseline would give it to you.”

“There are privacy laws against that, Mom,” I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes. “Ridiculous.”

“You aren’t wrong. I kick myself every day for not asking for her number or where she was from. I can’t believe I spent all that time with her and never even asked where she lived.” I say with a scowl.

There’s a knock on the door pulling me away from my mom.

“Come in,” I say before Jasmine pokes her head in.

“Lunch is delivered, and I tracked down that item you asked about earlier.”

“Thanks, Jasmine,” I say to her before turning back to my mom.

“You go eat honey. If you wanna talk later, you call me. Promise?”

“I promise, Mom. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

I hang up with my mom and head out to the staff lounge to grab some food before diving back into work.

This was the day that just would not end. After I grabbed lunch, the day spiraled into madness.

The overseas market took a hit, which sent a good number of our clients into a panicked tailspin. I spent the rest of the day on the phone with overseas contacts and investors, assuring them their portfolios were secure.

Now I find myself on the opposite side of town in a small bakery and specialty foods store, hunting for a white whale. It takes me a few minutes to navigate my way to the cold section. A minute later, I find my prize.

“Hello, there, old friend,” I mutter to myself.

Then it hits me… a scent I’d know anywhere. Hibiscus and citrus. Basket forgotten, I weave my way back through the store, landing in the very front and stopping dead in my tracks.

Kallie stands not even ten feet from me, speaking to a store employee. She’s wearing dark-wash jeans that mold perfectly to her curvy frame and a t-shirt with a green apron over it. Her hair is secured back with a black bandana and falling loosely beside her.

She’s more stunning standing here before me than in my memories. Seeing her here is like opening my wings for the first time after keeping them tucked away for too long. Like the first real breath I’ve taken since she walked away from me. The ache in my chest that has been my constant companion eases as I drink in the sight of her.

As if she can sense my presence, she turns and gasps.

“Evren?”

“Kallie,” I exhale her name like an answered prayer as I walk forward.

I’m gifted with a radiant smile that steals my breath.

“Of all the grocery stores, in all this big city, you end up in mine,” she says in a happy, sassy voice.

I smile before my deep laughter bursts forth as I open my arms to hug her. But she steps back, and I can feel my smile falter.

“I’m covered in flowers, pollen, and processor. If I hug you, which I would love to do, I’ll ruin your suit,” she says upon seeing my distress.

I close the distance between us. “If you think I give a greater damn about this suit than about holding you, Doll, you are sorely mistaken.”