ning. Her voice was sharp, professional, a nice co

. "That big client you've been chasing

ously?

e's agreed to meet while he's onboard. I thought maybe

ian D

a wave. I heard it j

nd called he

cheerfully. "The one we're all going on Sam, Lily,

all the ships, of all the d

r and a family reunion I'd tried everything

t the universe playi

Rose when I called

r things I didn't bring from Paris, I hadn't exactly planned to stay

ave everyone together again. Even Dad seemed lighter, smiling

us at the port, while I d

in, especially h

talk. I told myself it didn't matter, that I didn't expect anything. But in reali

uggage, families chatting excitedly. The Elysian Dream loomed in th

glowing, taking selfies, commenting on how beautiful everything was. I stayed clo

e wasn't

breeze caught her dress, her hair. She looked radiant, not because of the mak

just for a second. He

e said when w

I nodde

he back. "Glad you made it, bro. This plac

orward to i

I expected her to say something

porter with her bag, brushing pas

maybe

uest in their p

tly in the background, and waiters gliding across the marble floor like ghosts. The table setting

w. My mother had arranged the seating of course, and

ned up, exposing the soft curve of her neck. I tried not

he had nothing to lose. My parents sat on either side of me, chatting excited

round conversation, "tell us more about this new clie

n my radar for a while, a major investor based in Singapore. We'

d with a proud smile. "

distractions," Sam added lightly,

hed. Her eyes flicked to mine for the briefe

at changes soon. Edward's too successful,

heir childhood sweetheart," I

dropped knife. Sam's smile faded

rcing a laugh. "Well, things happen

pose,"

lf-hearted conversation. But beneath the table, beneath the s

h neither of