Read Cruise to Destiny (Contemporary Romance Novella) Page 11

  ***

  “I’m really sorry,” Sophie said from her swivel chair behind the spa’s front desk. “I’m not allowed to give out that kind of information.”

  “But you don’t understand,” Shauna said, leaning further over the counter in an attempt to intimidate the unflappable Sophie. “This is an emergency.”

  “Really?” Sophie’s eyes grew round. “Is Devon okay? What happened?”

  Great. “Nice one, Shauna.” Melanie rolled her eyes at her friend and then turned to Sophie. “It’s not an emergency, per se, but we um…we sort of had a thing going, if you know what I mean. And I’m the reason he was let go.”

  Realization dawned on Sophie’s face. “Ah, so you’re the one.” She gave a little chuckle. “Listen, I wish I could help you, but I can’t give you his last name. What I can give you, though, is this piece of advice: forget about Devon.”

  Melanie stared back at Sophie, dumbfounded. Had she just told her to forget about Devon? “I’m sorry?” she said.

  “Guys like him aren’t looking to settle down. I hate to say this, but you were probably just a fling. Something fun to do while he was here.”

  Melanie wanted to jump over the counter and rip Sophie’s curls right out of her head, but she was too busy trying to keep Lisa from doing the same thing.

  “You don’t know anything about my friend or her relationship with Devon,” Lisa practically screamed at Sophie.

  Sophie looked shaken, but she was still trying to maintain her professionalism. She stood and backed away from the desk as she said, “Miss, you’re going to have to keep your voice down. There are massages going on in this facility.”

  As Melanie and Shauna dragged Lisa out of the spa, she rattled off a slew of profanities and let Sophie know just what she could do with her massages.

  “The nerve of that girl!” she yelled as soon as they were on the deck. “Who does she think she is?”

  “It’s alright, Lis, calm down.” Melanie hated scenes, but Lisa had a knack for creating them. “We’ll get his name another way.”

  “Damn right, we will.” Lisa charged for the door to the spa again.

  “No, Lis! Come on. We’re going now. Let’s grab a drink and talk this through.” Melanie grabbed her arm and tugged her close so she couldn’t get away.

  “How are you so calm about this?” Lisa asked. “Did you hear the way she spoke to you?”

  “Yeah,” Melanie replied. “I did.” And it pissed her off, just not enough to commit assault.

  They went to the pub on the promenade—the site of her first date with Devon. Ha. Her first date with him was practically her last date with him. They barely knew each other. But then why did she feel that ache in her stomach? Why did she desperately want to see him? Hear his voice? Why did the world seem darker, less exciting now that he was gone?

  Melanie ordered a Guinness and the three of them kvetched over their beers. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much they could do while they were on the ship. They were setting sail again tonight, headed back to New York. Less than two days and they’d be home. And then she could begin her search for Devon.