by Hillary Avis
Especially when I’m about thirty seconds from homelessness myself. A sleek little yacht decorated with lights slid into the harbor. “Oh, how pretty!” she exclaimed, grateful for the distraction. “I like that one.”
He stood up suddenly. “Do you want to see it up close? We could walk around to the docks and take a better look.”
She nodded, munched the last, delicious bite of her vanilla cone, and stood. This time she grabbed his hand, and she felt his arm tighten like he wanted to pull her toward him, but he didn’t.
He knows it can’t happen, too. Her heart stilled, and she bit back her disappointment as they walked back down the pier and headed for the entrance to the docks. “Do you see it?”
He nodded. “It’s over on dock five.”
Bethany strained to look, but she couldn’t see it. His extra foot of height must give him an advantage. She followed him down a set of stairs to dock five, and sure enough, the little yacht was pulling into its slip. Unlike most of the other boats, it wasn’t made of fiberglass, but instead of beautiful, rich, natural wood. It nearly glowed as it reflected the evening light that was just beginning to turn golden. It took her breath away.
“I can’t imagine what it must be like to have a boat like that,” she said. “To be able to just go anywhere, any time.”
Ryan squeezed her hand as they walked closer to the boat. “Does that appeal to you? I mean, having that kind of freedom?”
His face had become so serious that she laughed. “Isn’t freedom like ice cream? Everyone likes it.”
He shook his head. “No, they don’t. Some people say they want it, but really they’d prefer safety. A routine. Someone telling them what to do. True freedom means making a lot of difficult decisions. It’s more responsibility than most people want to take on.”
“I think I know what you mean. I kind of feel that way about running my own business.” She reached out to touch his arm. “It’s lonely when you have real freedom, because it means fewer connections. Fewer fallbacks.”
He nodded and looked away. So he’s not always carefree. His situation weighs on him, too. She found that comforting, in a way, that even though Ryan was so free-spirited, he had a sense of responsibility.
“The sun’s going down soon,” he said. He turned to her, his eyes dancing. “What do you think about a taking sunset cruise?” Before she could answer, he called to the uniformed woman on the deck of the yacht. “Hey! Would you mind taking us out on the bay so we can see the sunset over town?”
Bethany panicked. What would the crew think of a homeless guy and his broke date crashing their yacht? They were probably going to call the cops. Just wait until I have to explain myself to Charley.
But the woman on deck turned to look at them and smiled. “Of course—that’s no problem.” She lowered a ramp so they could board more easily. Bethany looked at Ryan skeptically, but he just grinned at her and pulled her onboard.
He didn’t even pause to ask how much it would cost. Bethany’s stomach clenched. Ryan already said that he’d given his cash to the restoration fund, so she was going to have to shell out for this. She hoped she had enough in her wallet to cover the bill. What could it cost for a quick ride on a yacht? Fifty bucks? She couldn’t imagine it would be less than that—but it could be more, too.
“This way,” the woman said, guiding them around the outer deck to the front of the boat. “We have this cozy little nook in the bow where you can get a great view but have some wind protection. I’ll bring you a picnic basket.” She motioned to a comfortable seating area with a small table.
“Great!” Ryan said, and the woman headed back into the cabin.
Bethany groaned internally. Sunset cruise plus picnic dinner...the price tag for this date is adding up. It was certainly going to cost more than ice cream on the pier as she’d planned!
The boat pulled out of the slip, leaving her a little unsteady on her feet, so she took a seat at the table. Ryan sat down on the bench facing her and reached across the table for her hand. He ran his thumb across her palm, and goosebumps prickled up her arm. She shivered involuntarily.
He frowned. “Are you cold?” He shot to his feet and lifted the cushion under his seat. He pulled a blanket out of the bench’s storage area and wrapped it around her. She didn’t have the heart to tell him she wasn’t cold at all. She was actually feeling very, very warm.
“You sure know your way around a yacht!” She pulled the blanket around her and gave him a lopsided grin. Then she caught sight of the view over his shoulder, on the starboard side. The sun was sinking below the hills behind Newbridge, spreading washes of pink and gold light across the sky. The town was cast into shadow, but streetlights were winking on like stars. “Look at that!” she said breathlessly. “How beautiful.”
He sat down beside her this time and put his arm around her as he looked at the sunset. She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder. If she could just forget for one minute who they were, she felt so safe and happy with him.
“I just—” He broke off, shaking his head.
“What is it?”
He hesitated. “I just really want to kiss you right now.”
Her heart stopped. Or it felt like it did, for a moment, and then it raced with anticipation. It’s such a bad idea, but it’s such a good idea...
“Then why don’t you?” She turned toward him, but he was looking away, and his expression was almost angry. She closed her eyes. What am I saying? This is only going to end in heartbreak for both of us. He knows it, and I know it.
He rubbed his forehead. “There’s so much you don’t know about me, and it doesn’t feel right to—”
“Here’s your picnic,” the crew member said cheerily. She placed a wicker basket on the table. She held up two glasses. “Champagne?”
Ryan reached for them. “Yes, that’d be great.”
“Super! I’ll be right back with the bottle.”
Bethany took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to stay calm. I hope it’s a cheap bottle. Please let it be a cheap bottle.
Ryan opened the picnic basket and began pulling out the contents and putting them on the table. Chocolate-covered strawberries, a small round of brie, a sliced baguette, grapes, and two bottles of sparkling water. At least there’s no—
“Caviar!” he said brightly, setting a small jar and spoon on the table. “Do you like caviar?”
Bethany rubbed her forehead, trying not to panic. “I don’t really know, I—”
“Here we go!” chirped the crew member. She carried a short sword and a bottle of Dom Perignon. She held the bottle away from them and used the saber to swiftly slice off the top. The champagne foamed from the mouth of the bottle, and the woman quickly filled their glasses. “I’ll just put this on ice. Holler if you want a refill.”
“Is there a bathroom I could use?” Bethany asked faintly. She felt like she was going to be sick.
“Right this way.” The woman led her to a small bathroom inside the cabin. “Let me know if you need anything. I’m just a few steps down the hall.”
Bethany nodded and ducked inside. She locked the door behind her and let out a deep, shuddering breath. Fancy champagne, caviar picnics—this is crazy! She couldn’t even keep track of the total in her head anymore. At this point, they might have spent thousands on this sunset cruise, and she definitely didn’t have thousands in her bank account. Heck, she didn’t even have hundreds. She had dozens of dollars. Dozens!
She choked out a laugh. How am I going to get off this boat before I go bankrupt? She jiggled her foot nervously and stared at herself in the mirror. Think, think, think.
Kimmy would know what to do. She pulled out her phone and started to call her, but then stopped. Kimmy was probably getting a proposal right about now, and Bethany would never live it down if she interrupted that to talk about her own date!
Olive, maybe? No, Olive would just say not to worry. Plus, she’d undoubtedly bring it up during their volunteer
hours at the shelter, and Bethany definitely did not want to be teased about this down the road! Remember that time Ryan took you on a date and you ended up accidentally buying saber service for a bottle of Dom Perignon?
She pulled up the web browser on her phone and googled the price of a bottle of Dom. Big mistake! It was even more than she thought! Tears pricked her eyes. Ryan was probably sitting out there thinking she had food poisoning—or had jumped overboard.
Hm, that’s starting to sound like a viable option. Milo would laugh at that joke, and he might have ideas for how to get out of this. Would it be weird to call a guy you’re dating while on a date with another guy?
Yes, yes it would.
She needed to talk to someone who wasn’t in her inner circle. Someone who understood what it was like to be in a complicated relationship. Someone who could keep secrets.
Someone like Clementine Gourd.
Bethany found the number for Toast with the Most and, crossing her fingers, selected it and called.
Clementine answered, “Toast with the Most! We’re open ’til nine. How can I help you?”
“Hey, it’s Bethany. Do you have a minute to talk? I am in a...situation. I could really use some advice.”
“Sure.” Clementine lowered her voice. “What is it?”
“OK, so I’m on a date right now, and the bill is racking up, and I have no idea how I’m going to pay it.” Bethany let her breath out in a rush. It felt great to say it out loud. “I’m literally hiding in the bathroom right now, trying not to have a panic attack.”
“Will your date split the bill with you?” Clementine asked.
“No—he definitely can’t.”
“Hm.” Clementine paused. “I hate to ask this, but can you just bail? Like just walk out?”
“I’m on a freaking boat!”
“OK, wow.” Clementine clicked her tongue, thinking. “How much do you like this guy? Like, do you want another date with him?”
“I don’t know.” Bethany slumped against the bathroom door, the phone pressed to her ear. “I like him—a lot. I don’t want to offend him or get him in trouble or anything. As for another date? I’m not sure.”
“Gotcha. This is what you’re going to do...”
“I’m listening.”
“You’re going to fake sick. You don’t have to make yourself barf in front of him or anything—just act convincingly seasick so you can get back to the shore and avoid suspicion. Then put any charges on a credit card.”
“Yeah, OK.” Bethany sighed. “I’m sure it’ll be a ton, but at least that’ll get us off the boat the quickest.”
“Plus, you can dispute the charges with the credit card company when you get home. Say the boat trip was cut short, or you didn’t eat the food, or whatever.” Clementine giggled. “It’s not a lie, and your date doesn’t even have to know.”
Not a terrible plan. Not an honest plan, or one Bethany would usually follow, but it’d work considering the circumstances. “Thanks,” she said gratefully. “You really saved my sanity.”
“No problem! See you at the awards ceremony tomorrow. I’m serving Tenderizer Toast!”
“Great! Bye.” Bethany ended the call. The knot of panic in her stomach had mostly dissipated, leaving behind a faint residue of guilt. Sorry I’ll be surveilling you tomorrow, Clem—but thanks for the seasick strategy.
She started to straighten her clothes, but then realized she’d look more convincing if she was rumpled. She splashed some water on her face and headed back out to the bow. Ryan’s face was full of concern when he saw her.
“Are you OK? You were in there a while. I waited for you, but I think all the bubbles in our champagne is gone. I can call for a refill.”
She shook her head, holding her hand to her lips. “I’ll pass. I’m just feeling a little seasick—I’m really sorry.” She looked at the picnic food. He hadn’t opened any of it. Phew. Maybe the yacht crew would take it off the bill.
He stood and helped her to her seat. “I’ll go tell the captain to turn the boat around.”
She nodded, and breathed a sigh of relief when he left. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the waves lapping the sides of the boat. It was a peaceful, relaxing sound—she wished she could enjoy little luxuries like this without being terrified of the cost at the end! Maybe someday, when I find the right partner, we can do things like this.
She heard Ryan come back and she opened her eyes. He smiled at her, but his eyebrows were knit together worriedly.
“Can I get you anything? A pillow, or some water? Here—” He reached for the bottled water from the picnic basket, but she brushed his hand aside.
“No, I don’t need anything.” She closed her eyes again and willed the boat back to the dock as soon as possible.
She felt him sit down beside her. He put his hand on her neck and gently stroked her upper back. “Is this OK?”
She nodded, and they sat in silence until the boat nosed into the slip. It took all her willpower not to jump up and run off the boat.
“Let’s get you on dry land,” he said. She smiled at him and followed him around the deck to the back of the boat. He flipped the ramp down so they could debark. She glanced around for anyone from the crew who was coming to take their money, but they were all below deck. Ryan stepped onto the dock and held out his hand to help her across the ramp. Apparently he had no qualms about dining and dashing!
Isn’t that the same as disputing the charges when I get home? Bethany shook her head. She had to pay for the boat ride, at least, even if she didn’t pay for the food they didn’t eat and the champagne they didn’t drink.
“One sec,” she said. “I think I left my sweater in the bathroom.”
Fingers crossed he doesn’t remember that I wasn’t wearing one. Bethany smiled over her shoulder at him as she slipped into the cabin.
“Hello?” she called, once inside. “Anyone?”
The woman who had sabered the champagne poked her head out. “Is something wrong?”
Bethany fumbled with her purse, attempting to extract her wallet. “I just wanted to settle the bill.”
The woman laughed. “Don’t worry—Mr. Lazam has it covered.”
“Lazam?” Bethany tilted her head. Why does that name sound so familiar? “Lazam, the like ZamRail Lazams?”
The woman nodded. Bethany chuckled to herself—somehow they’d accidentally ended up on a freaking billionaire’s yacht. “I guess he’s probably too busy running an empire to spend much time on the boat.”
The woman’s forehead crinkled. “Maybe you’re thinking of his father. Ryan is on board quite a bit. When he’s not at the shelter, this is his home base.”
Bethany felt the blood drain from her face, and she braced herself against one of the walls to keep herself from toppling over. Ryan—a Lazam?
Why haven’t I ever asked him his last name? Her mind reeled as she corrected all her misimpressions.
He wasn’t homeless—he was the heir to an unimaginable fortune.
He wasn’t staying at the shelter because he had nowhere else to go—he was staying there because he’s a philanthropist!
He wasn’t aimless and unmotivated—he was selfless and tireless.
Oh my god, I’ve said so many stupid things to him.
“I won’t go out with you unless you get a job.”
“What do you want to do with your life?”
“I’ll pay for the ice cream.”
Now her cheeks burned, and Bethany could see the look of concern on the crew member’s face.
“Do you need some water?” she asked, cracking open the lid of a bottle and handing it to Bethany. “Mr. Lazam said you were seasick, but I’ve never seen someone change colors like that.”
Oh my god, I pretended to be sick to get out of a date with a billionaire.
Bethany took a swig and swallowed, and then she froze. She looked from the bottle to the woman and then back again.
The water.
; Bethany thrust the bottle of water back into the woman’s hands. “Thanks—sorry—gotta go!” She dashed back out of the cabin and across the ramp to the dock, where Ryan was waiting for her, worriedly pacing back and forth.
“There you are!” Relief spread across his face until he saw her expression. “What is it? Oh no—Leah told you.”
“I figured it out,” Bethany blurted out. “I have to go now!”
He caught her hand, his eyes pleading. “Wait. Don’t just run off. I can explain everything. I—”
She shook her head, pulling her arm away. I may deserve some humiliation, but right now I have a murder to solve. “I can’t wait. I’m sorry.”
She jogged to her bike and, with a backward glance at him over her shoulder, pushed off into the dark. She leaned over the handlebars as she rode, standing up to pump up the long hill to the cottage. She pedaled so hard her thighs burned, a welcome distraction from the tears that kept trickling out of her eyes despite her best efforts to bottle them up.
On one hand, only an idiot would go out on a date with someone without learning their last name first. On the other hand, if she hadn’t gone out on that boat, she might not have realized who murdered Trent Gallagher.
Ryan will probably never speak to me again—but at least I solved a murder today.
Chapter 19
SHE WALKED INTO THE cottage to a wave of giggles. Charley held a bottle of champagne over the sink as its bubbles overflowed and ran down the side. Bethany’s heart soared at the same time that her throat tightened. At least someone gets to enjoy a glass tonight.
“You’re just in time!” Kimmy exclaimed. She stood on tiptoes to grab another glass from the top of the fridge. She set it on the counter and then ran to Bethany and threw her arms around her neck. “I can’t believe this is happening! Can you believe it?”
Bethany couldn’t help chuckling as she squeezed Kimmy in a bear hug. “Yes, it’s about time! I’m so happy for you both.” There’d be time to fill them in on the whole murderer thing later, after they had their champagne.
