She laughed. She’d missed being around children. “I’m so glad to be here.”
“We’re going on holiday, a big holiday.” He peered over his shoulder as another man strode around the corner. This had to be Liam, so visually similar to his brothers. He had Tyler’s sky-blue eyes, although Liam’s dark hair was clipped short, as Tyler’s used to be. Dressed in a white business shirt unbuttoned at the neck and navy dress pants, Liam crossed to her.
“Daddy, we’re going on a holiday because ships are in my blood. That’s what you said, but teeny-tiny ships, ’cause my blood’s only little, right?”
Liam squeezed his son’s shoulder. “That’s kind of what I said, minus the teeny-tiny ships actually being in your blood.” With a smile, he extended his hand to her. “Sorry about the late welcome. Luke told me to hurry since Tyler would have begun his interrogation. I hadn’t yet had the chance to tell him you’d be traveling with us. Ben only called last night.”
“It’s nice to meet you, and thanks for agreeing to take me on board.” She was here, and now she’d make the most of it. “Whatever you need from me, I’m here to help.”
“Great. I appreciate that.”
Tyler caught her arm, and drew her back to him. “Nico is almost five and he’ll start school after we return. Your professional abilities will only be required until the end of this trip. Nothing beyond. Does that arrangement suit?”
“Of course. That sounds perfect.” It would be impossible to have more.
With a hand at the small of her back, Tyler guided her toward the internal stairwell, and collected her bag along the way. They walked downstairs.
“Below deck are the staterooms and staff quarters, and upstairs on the third floor are Liam and Nico’s suites.”
“Okay.” She peeked at him.
“There’s a pool and spa on the top floor, and you’ll be given a full tour as soon as you’re settled.” At the bottom of the stairs, Tyler stilled. “This dinner you say we enjoyed. I want you to know, I wish I recalled it.”
“I understand about the memory loss.” Okay, enough of the non-dinner. “Oh, nice decor down here.”
It truly was. Halogen lights showcased vivid blue underwater ocean scenes adorning the length of the passageway. Caramel-cream walls and plush carpet of the same color became the sandy base for all the blue.
“Thanks.” Tyler moved her along. “The crew’s cabins are double-bunked, but as you’re the only female on board, you’ll have one to yourself.”
He directed her inside a small, efficient room with two bunks bolted to a blue wall. White furnishings and a built-in set of drawers completed the room.
“This is nice.” She grinned, for she would love the area simply because it was all hers and totally Ben-free.
“There’s a bathroom, but it connects with the cabin next door. There’s a lock on each side, although the other room’s empty.”
Inside the compact area, she shuffled around the shower cubicle, toilet and tidy vanity, all in basic white. No frills, but she didn’t need any. She met his gaze as he leaned against the doorjamb. “It’s perfect.”
“You seem happy.” He frowned. “You appeared apprehensive to start with.”
“I was nervous.” She squeezed past him and returned to her room. “First day on the job and all.”
She twirled in the center of her cabin. Ben was right. She needed this break.
Taken by the round portal window, she skipped toward it and peered outside. Another super-yacht of similar size to The Idle Dream came into berth, the name Star Gazer emblazoned along its side.
“It’s one of ours.” Tyler edged in behind her, so close.
Unable to stop, she leaned back and came up against him. Oh wow. His solid presence was like a safety blanket of warmth she’d never forget. She wanted to tip her head back, rest it on his shoulder and tell him everything, to extinguish the lie she’d told and lay out their past. Only that would never happen. Knocking that idea out of her head, she straightened. “Does Whitehall Shipping have a big fleet?”
“Twelve ships in total, but The Idle Dream was my mother’s baby. It’s reserved for family holidays each year. She passed away two years ago, and my father four. I don’t usually speak of them, but--” He slid his fingers through her long hair. “Are you sure we didn’t have more than a single date? I feel a level of comfort I can’t explain.”
Her thoughts swirled to the past, to those last moments she’d had with him a year ago. He’d been dressed all in black, shirt and jeans, and her heart had fluttered in her chest. They’d become so close over the ten days they’d been together, but now he was leaving. Tyler had dropped his bag in the trunk of his car and sauntered toward her.