Ella
It was a cruise with a bunch of older people as Ella was able to tell right from the get-go. She was taking it with her dad, so the romance she’d always associated with cruises was out the door. Still, she couldn’t help feeling excited about it. She’d never been on one, and just standing in line to board was exciting.
Memo thought it better that he stay home to help sort what would stay and what would go. They’d told their dad that he hadn’t been able to make it as they’d hoped, but they agreed to make the best of their father-daughter cruise, and she had every intention of doing so. She only hoped this bonding time wouldn’t all be for naught when they got back and he’d see what Memo had done while they were gone. But she’d already decided she wasn’t going to even think about that until they got back. She was determined to enjoy herself, especially because she needed to get her mind off how much she missed Felix. It was beginning to get embarrassing just how much time she spent thinking about him.
Ella had done her homework on the use of cell phones on ships before leaving. She hated the thought of not being able to even talk to Felix for three whole days. What she’d found out was she could talk to him but the roaming rates were astronomical. So she’d already told Felix that after she was away from the port she’d have to turn off her phone for the rest of the cruise. At first he thought she’d meant because of the lack of reception. The moment she mentioned the high rates he begged her not to turn it off. He insisted he’d pay her bill but not to cut him off like that. He said it would be torture and even reminded her to keep it charged.
Just thinking about that conversation and how everything he said to her was just that sweet had her smiling and feeling all warm and fuzzy. The warm fuzzy feelings went up in flames the moment she looked up from the foo-foo drink she’d been drinking on the deck with her dad and saw Grayson walking toward them.
“Looks like we’re gonna have beautiful weather for the trip.” He smiled big, taking the seat next to her dad.
Ella didn’t know how to ask without sounding rude, but he had to know she was wondering why the hell he’d failed to mention he’d be coming too. He’d said from the beginning he’d never been into cruises or Cold Duck. She could already feel her insides warming. The sneaky jerk!
“I didn’t know you were coming too,” she said, staring at him and not caring much if her stare crossed over into a glare.
“I wasn’t until my cousin let me know he hadn’t been able to get rid of the last four tickets he had.” He waved a waiter down and ordered a drink and another round for Ella and her dad. “I asked around work and was able to get rid of three more for him. He’s been going on and on about this cruise for years. I haven’t taken a vacation in a while. I didn’t want him to have to eat the last ticket, so I figured why not?”
Ella couldn’t believe it never once crossed her mind he’d do something like this. He’d been all about helping her with her father’s issues and just the other day made mention of how cool it was that she and her dad were going to have this time alone.
The way he was making himself so comfortable at their table now Ella could already tell she and her father wouldn’t have much alone time this entire cruise.
Right on cue, her phone rang with a call from Felix. After his morning calls, she usually didn’t hear from him until the evening once he was done for the day. But this morning he’d told her he wanted to talk to her before she left to see her off.
She stood up, taking her drink with her, and addressed her dad. “I have to take this.”
God! How was she supposed to tell Felix this cruise had now turned into one she’d be spending with her ex, a guy Felix had never actually said he couldn’t stand but Ella knew without doubt he couldn’t?
His usual “Hey, baby” was replaced with a cheery “Bon voyage.”
“Thank you,” she said, walking over to the side rail and looking out into the busy port.
“Are you already moving or still at the port?”
“We’re still here.” The loud horn went off, and she covered her ear. “Hold on,” she said as the announcement came on over the loud speaker, letting everyone know they were about to sail. “I guess we’re about to leave,” she shouted into the phone.
It was a bit broken up, and between the wind and the announcement, Ella was able to make out Felix asking her if she wanted him to call her a little later. She said yes and hung up.
By the time she got back to the table, her second round had arrived. She was almost done with her other one and had set it on the table since it’d gotten a bit watered down. As the ship began moving, the announcement came on about everyone reporting to their muster stations with their life jackets for the mandatory muster drill.
“Our rooms are right next door to each other,” Grayson said with a smile, “so we’re assigned the same station, the Lido deck.”
Ella peered at Grayson. Right next to each other? That just confirmed that his lying ass hadn’t gotten the tickets at the last minute as he claimed to have done. He’d planned it this way from the beginning. If her dad weren’t there, she’d tell Grayson off. Telling Felix about this had just gotten worse. Way worse.
But she absolutely had to. She’d picked up on something from Felix loud and clear. He was practicing honesty all the way—no matter how uncomfortable or upsetting.
They all made their way down to their rooms to get their life jackets. Grayson seemed to pick up on her annoyance, so he chummed up with her dad instead of trying to talk to her. Of course, Felix’s next call came when they were in the middle of the drill, and she couldn’t take it. She snuck in a text to let him know about the drill and that she’d call him when it was over.
She laughed at his response saying Noah was going to kick his ass for slacking off so much today but he’d wait for her call regardless. That only made the knot forming in her stomach a little tighter. Hearing how much he was looking forward to talking to her warmed her as it always did, but she hated that she’d be informing him about Grayson. She almost wished she could just hold off telling him until she got back because she didn’t want to ruin his weekend and she knew this just might.
Ella had yet to tell her dad about Felix, but she’d begun to think this cruise might be the perfect time to tell him. He’d likely be excited about it, and she now believed in her heart that Felix was really in love with her. This relationship might actually have a fighting chance of making it even with their erratically different lifestyles. Although this phone call she was about to make had her worried now.
Things got worse before they got better. By the time the drill was over, Ella and her dad were now part of a group. Grayson introduced them to his cousin Fredo and his wife Hannah. Then there were the people from his work. An older detective and his wife and his wife’s sister also joined them. Apparently, all the extra rooms his cousin had were all near each other.
Grayson introduced everyone, annoyingly referring to Ella as his ex-girlfriend who he was still good friends with, as if that were even necessary to point out. Then came the even more annoying part. The detective’s wife’s sister, Margie, was a lady who looked to be in her late forties early fifties. But she dressed and did her hair and makeup as if she were in her twenties. She had the look of a woman on the prowl or at least a woman who was there to let her hair down. And she was eyeballing Ella’s dad. That wasn’t the annoying part. The annoying, almost enraging, part was that Grayson made it a point to introduce Margie to her dad and even mentioned what a big Dodgers fan her dad was—just like Margie. It appeared this was likely a part of what was beginning to feel like a well-planned scheme of Grayson’s.
Grayson’s detective friend Drake and his wife America “but everybody calls me Meri” quickly made arrangements that their group would meet with the rest of them in a few minutes up on the deck.
“Hear that?” Drake pointed up with a big goofy smile. “Sounds like the band’s already getting warmed up. Let’s get this party started, guys.”
“We’ll get a table big enough for all of us,” Margie said, smiling big at Ella’s dad.
“Sounds good.” Her dad smiled back. “We’ll see you all in a few.”
Ella wouldn’t even look at Grayson. She handed her life jacket to her dad. “Will you take this back to the room for me, please? I have to make a call. I’ll just meet you all up there.”
She made it a point to walk away in the opposite direction of Grayson. “Unbelievable,” she muttered as she walked out onto one of the decks. Taking a deep breath, she was about to hit speed dial then remembered Felix’s lack of focus he’d mentioned more than once this week. He’d be training with those Bosnian trainers this weekend. She didn’t want to ruin that for him, and she was certain this would. But she couldn’t keep this from him, could she? He’d be furious.
“He’s gonna be furious regardless,” she whispered, staring out into the ocean. “Damn you, Grayson!”
Yesterday when he’d told her about Adelina having to spend the night, she’d been ready to go off on him, but he’d been able to calm her before she snapped. He’d been completely honest and sincere and assured her she had nothing to worry about. And she believed him. As maddening as this was, he’d have to believe her too if she assured him he’d have nothing to worry about, right?
Ella hit speed dial with a newfound determination. She could do this, and he’d believe her when she told him she was just as annoyed by this turn of events but Grayson wouldn’t be getting what he thought he might be getting by pulling this stunt—a chance to reconnect. He had to believe her.
“Hey baby.” He laughed. “Hold on. I was listening, but I gotta take this. She’s on a ship.”
She heard the guys say something else and then more laughter. “Should I call back another time?” her cowardly ass asked a bit too hopefully.
“No! No way.” He laughed again. “I’ve been waiting for your call. I can take getting my balls busted in more than one language.”
She heard him tell them he’d be back, and then the voices in the background were suddenly gone. “So how’s it going? You having fun?”
“Well, it just started. I haven’t actually heard the band yet. How’s training with those new trainers.”
“They haven’t been here long,” he explained. “But they’re already giving me a hard time about not focusing again. All kidding aside I really do need to get my shit together. I was just waiting to hear from you, but after this, it’s on.”
“Oh,” she said with a gulp.
“Something wrong?” As usual, Felix picked up on her altered moods instantly.
“No, not at all,” she said, doing her best to sound as cheerful as always. “I just miss you,” she added as the guilt seeped in.
How could she tell him now? His entire weekend training would be a wash. As much as she tried to sugarcoat this, he was going to be pissed.
She happily told him more about the cruise, describing the small room she’d be sharing with her dad and the bunk beds they’d be sleeping on. She even giggled when she told him about her drink—a Red Hot Momma.
“I asked the guy at the bar to make me a foo-foo drink, something he thought I might like. It was pretty and very foo-foo with a big pineapple wedge and little umbrella, but the name made me laugh.”
“Are you wearing red, Ella?” Felix asked, not sounding quite as amused as she was.
She glanced down at her red sundress confused. “Yes.”
The second she said it she felt like an idiot.
“I figured as much,” he said a bit annoyed. “Go easy on those Red Hot Mommas. Those fruity tropical drinks are the kind that sneak up on you.”
“I will,” she said, still feeling dumb.
“And stay away from that bartender.”
He was serious, but at the same time, she could hear the playfulness in his tone. There was no way she was ruining his mood. He’d been in good spirits from the moment he answered. Of course, she knew she had to tell him, but she’d wait until she got back or at least until tomorrow night when his special training was almost over. If he was going to be mad regardless, there was no sense in ruining his entire weekend and training this early on.
The call ended with Felix blowing a few kisses into the phone, which only made her feel better about her decision not to tell him. Once off the phone she groaned, knowing she’d inevitably be having that unpleasant conversation with him. Then she groaned again when she thought of what she’d be doing next—hanging out with Grayson and his friends. There was no way out of it either. This whole cruise had been for her dad, and she’d seen the twinkle in his eye when Margiesaid she’d save a table for all of them. Great.
She took a big sip of her Red Hot Momma and trudged off toward the upper deck where she could already hear the party was in full swing.
~~~
Grayson may’ve pulled a fast one, but Ella would be damned if she was letting him get his way this whole trip. When she got back to the deck, she did her best to avoid getting stuck sitting next to him or alone with him. But it wasn’t easy. She’d been right about that twinkle she’d thought she’d seen in her father’s eyes earlier. Margie was a talker and yakked his ear off the whole time. Her dad seemed engrossed with her. And while that made Ella happy because her dad deserved to let loose and have a little fun for once, it left her at odds at the table.
Worse yet, despite her efforts to not get stuck with Grayson, after the others got up to dance a few times, including her dad and Margie, they were coupled off. Unable to take it anymore, she excused herself, saying she was going to check out the dessert bar on the other end of the ship where many seemed to be walking from with lots of yummy desserts.
Grayson had already made several attempts to engage in conversation with her, but she’d been curt. Fortunately, she’d made it obvious enough that she knew what he was up to and was not happy about it. So he didn’t follow her.
Knowing her dad would stay busy with Margie, she decided to take her time and explore the ship. The Grand Princess was just that, grand. Ella walked around, babying her drink as she explored the entire ship in no hurry to get back to sitting with Grayson. She took several photos of the luxurious inside foyer that opened all the way down. You could see all the different bars and sitting areas on each floor from the top. She’d begun to text them to her brother, Carmen, and Felix then thought better about texting it to Felix. He’d likely seen much more luxurious than this.
Instead, she decided to find the perfect spot to take a selfy with the ocean behind her, holding her foo-foo drink. After taking several and not liking her smile in any, she got an idea though she felt silly. Instead of smiling, she’d pout. That one actually came out cute. Go figure. She put the text together, telling him the cruise would be so much better if he were there with her.
After sending it, she was determined to get a good one of her smiling so she tried again.
“I can take that for you.”
She looked up at Grayson, who smiled at her, holding another foo-foo drink for her. It was only then that she realized the drink she held was mostly ice again.
“That’s okay. I got a good shot.” She didn’t want to be a bitch, but she had to make a clear point here. Whatever he thought might happen on this trip between the two of them was not happening, and there was a very good reason why. “I was sending them to Felix.”
Grayson nodded but didn’t comment further. He held out the drink to her. “I saw you holding an empty glass.”
She took it, thanking him, mindful of what Felix had warned her of. Already, she was feeling a little light-headed. This would be her last one, but she did need to get some food soon.
“Your dad started worrying, so I told him I’d come looking for you.”
“I was just exploring,” she explained.
Her phone dinged and she looked down. She didn’t care if Grayson thought her rude for checking her texts in front of him. His pulling this stunt was beyond rude.
You’re adorable. And that dress. No wonder the bartender thought you were hot. >=(
Instantly, she felt all warm and fuzzy, and she smiled, texting him back.
I’m on a cruise and all I can do is think of you. =( I miss you so!
She added a few hearts and sent it off, feeling giddy. A little too giddy, she actually giggled. She’d never been a drinker, and these were big drinks. Vacation-sized drinks as Drake had called them and she was on her third.
“So I take it things are going well,” Grayson said, looking down at her phone.
“Yep,” she said simply then changed the subject. “I need to get food.”
She glanced around, trying to remember which way the pizza bar was she’d passed earlier.
“There’s pizza that way.” Grayson said, answering her unspoken question.
They started in that direction as her phone pinged again. Instantly, she was smiling again, and she clicked on the text from Felix.
I miss you too, baby. But I gotta get back to training before Noah and Gio tackle me and throw my phone out in the snow. I’ll call you tonight!
This time she laughed but caught herself and covered her mouth. It wasn’t that funny. Okay, she needed food now. They reached the pizza bar where she loaded a plate with several slices so she could take some back to her dad.
She made sure not to have any more alcoholic drinks for the rest of the evening. After her pizza, a shower to freshen up, and then later a sit-down dinner where Grayson managed to get them all assigned to the same dinner table, Ella had sobered up completely. She was glad she wouldn’t be silly when Felix called, but she did wonder if she’d have to take the call out on the deck and not in the comfort of her own bed as she usually did. She didn’t want her dad, who’d be in the bunk bed just below hers, listening.
As it turned out, that wasn’t going to be an issue. As nine thirty neared, her dad was nowhere near ready to head back to their room. All of them, including Grayson, were pretty buzzed and still partying it up. She explained she was tired and headed back to the room, anxious to talk to Felix.
As usual, she smiled silly the entire conversation she had with him. What she felt inside when she talked to him was beginning to feel less crazy and more relaxed as they got more comfortable with one another, but hearing him say he loved her would forever be nothing short of thrilling. She’d actually thought tonight’s call might be cut short because the roaming rates were so expensive, but when she tried to warn Felix by reminding him about it again, he laughed and said he’d just have to look into getting a second job because there was no way he was getting off the phone until he absolutely had to—just like every other night they’d spoken that week.
The next day she got to finally spend some time alone with her dad. Apparently, Margie and her sisters were early birds. While the men stayed back and slept in, Margie and Meri had gotten up early and took off into Ensenada where they’d docked for the day to have breakfast and do some shopping.
Ella was up early to take Felix’s morning call out on the deck. His morning calls weren’t nearly as long as his night ones, so she was off quickly then went back to the room. She was still trying to decide if she should tell him over the phone about Grayson being there or wait until she could speak to him in person. The way she saw it, the outcome would be equally bad. She’d either ruin the rest of his weekend or ruin what should be an amazing reunion.
She was able to avoid Grayson for the better part of the day because her dad slept in quite late. They ordered room service instead of going up to eat in the dining room for breakfast. Her dad was nursing a bit of a hangover, so he asked her if she’d be okay on her own for a little bit, while he stayed in bed a little longer watching TV until the aspirins kicked in.
Ella was fine with that. She’d heard Grayson out in the hallway earlier with his cousin and Drake talking about going to Ensenada to meet with the girls. To her surprise, he hadn’t knocked on their door. She could only hope he’d gotten the hint, especially since she’d ducked out so early last night.
Since they’d be docked in Ensenada all day, she’d taken advantage of her time alone to sunbathe on the deck and catch up on her reading.
She and her father eventually made it out to Ensenada for fish tacos and a little shopping. Fortunately, they hadn’t run into Grayson and his crowd. By the time they got back, the band was playing again, and round two of the partying began. They went back to the room to refresh a little, but they inevitably had to join the group again, something it seemed her dad was a little anxious to do.
“You like Margie?” she asked her dad in the elevator.
It was weird to have this kind of conversation with him, and she could tell the question embarrassed him a bit. But Ella wanted him to know she was okay with it if he did. He’d been alone for years now, and she had a feeling he thought maybe that’s how she and Memo preferred it. From the way he and Margie had hit it off so quickly, if he decided once they got back that he might want to go to a Dodgers game with Margie or whatever, she wanted him to know she wasn’t just okay with it. She’d be all for it.
“She’s nice.”
Ella smiled big. “I think so too. I like seeing you have fun.”
“I am having fun, honey.” He smiled. “Thank you for pushing me to do this. I needed it.”
“Good,” she said, feeling even better about having done this. “And just so you know I think it would be cool if once we got back you and Margie maybe got together for a Dodger game or something.”
In case there was any doubt, she wanted to be clear about that. Ella had been pretty disgusted yesterday when she realized what Grayson had done by bringing Margie. She didn’t want her dad to think she didn’t like Margie.
Her dad had been saved by the elevator doors opening and the subject had been dropped, but she was glad she’d put it out there.
The minute Ella saw Grayson she began having regrets about joining them again, but she had no choice. She had every intention of sneaking out early again to take Felix’s call, so she at least wanted to hang out with her dad for a while. Grayson had apparently started the partying early in Ensenada. They all had. Margie was quick to pull her dad out on the dance floor.
“Let’s dance,” Grayson said, smiling a little too big.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
She gave him a look. “I’m sure you know why.”
“We could dance in a group if you think your little boyfriend will have a shit if he finds out you danced with me alone. This is a party cruise, Ella,” he said, motioning around at everyone around them dancing. “It shouldn’t come as such a shocker to him that you did a little dancing.”
Ella refused to let him upset her. “I do plan on dancing tonight. With my dad.” She shrugged. “I just need to wind down a little first. You guys are way ahead of me,” she said, glancing down at all the empty glasses on the table.
“Oh, well, we can fix that,” he said quickly.
He walked away before she could tell him she didn’t want what she’d been drinking yesterday. It was too strong, and the music was too loud to yell out. She turned, beginning to frown but then saw her dad laughing with Margie as they danced. It’d been so long since she seen him laugh that way she had to smile.
Grayson brought back the same drink as yesterday. Obviously, he’d asked what it was called yesterday, and he’d just assumed she’d be drinking the same thing.
She took it, thanking him, and sipped slowly. As the hours passed, she got up and danced with her dad and Margie. Of course, Grayson joined them and they ended up dancing together. She was just glad it was all party dance music because there was no way she was letting Grayson touch her.
The band took a break and Ella’s group did too. Grayson had begun to get on her nerves, and she was getting close to ducking out for the night anyway.
“Daddy,” she said, bending over so he could hear her. “I’m gonna go for a walk around the deck, but I don’t think I’ll be back. I’m kind of tired.”
Margie and Meri had gone to the ladies’ room, and Grayson and his cousin were at the bar again. She waved at Drake and asked her dad to explain to everyone she’d gone back to her room. He offered to walk her back, but she told him she’d be fine and besides she wanted to go for that walk first.
Ella hadn’t gotten very far when she heard Grayson call out to her. She turned to see him rushing to her, holding another one of the foo-foo drinks she’d probably had too many of already. Every time she’d turned around he’d bought her another. She tried to tell him she didn’t want that kind anymore, but the music had been loud the whole time. So when she’d leaned in to tell him, he’d totally gotten up close to her, and she pulled away quickly, deciding it wasn’t worth it.
“I didn’t know you were leaving. I got you another one.”
He held it out to her. The music they were playing while the band took a break was just as loud, and she didn’t want to give Grayson reason to try and lean into her if she said anything longer than thank you. So she took it and thanked him.
“You’re really going back to your room?” he asked loudly.
She nodded. “After I take a walk, yes.”
“I was hoping we could talk.”
She wanted to just say flat-out no, but he’d just bought her a drink, and he’d been buying all night. He’d even bought her dad a few. Ella knew the drinks weren’t cheap either. It was the least she could do after he’d set all this up even if he had been sneaky about the whole thing. She did have a few minutes before Felix called.
Motioning to the outer deck that would be less noisy, she nodded. As soon as they were outside where she could definitely hear him and they could talk without her having to yell, he began. “Look, I know I’ve had a little to drink tonight, but what I wanna say to you right now isn’t anything I haven’t been thinking about for a while.” He stopped and took a sip of his beer. “I know you said things are going well between you and Felix, but do you honestly believe it’s gonna last?”
“Don’t start, Grayson,” she said and began to walk. If she’d known this was what he wanted to talk about, she would’ve never agreed.
Grayson walked alongside her. “I’m not trying to make you feel bad, babe—”
“Don’t call me that, please.”
“Okay, Ella. I know better than anyone that you’re good enough to date a big star like him. In fact, I think you’re too good for him, but that’s beside the point.” She shook her head, rolling her eyes. “I just don’t think he’s smart enough to see it, and I’m sincerely worried you’re gonna get hurt.”
“You know nothing about him, Grayson, except what you’ve read.” She continued to walk without looking at him. “Most of the stuff is made up, and he’s explained all the other stuff. Not just made excuses either. He realizes he’s made mistakes and he’s learned from his.” Now she turned to look at him because she wanted to be sure she made this clear. “And I believe him.”
“His rap sheet is not made up, and what about his publicist coming up and staying with him overnight Thursday? Did you know about that?”
“Yes, I did,” she said, and she’d known that would surprise him.
Grayson seemed stunned for a moment but then quickly added. “And you’re okay with that?” He shook his head, looking completely exasperated. “I know I said I was going to respect your choice, but I can’t stand it! You see what he’s doing to you already? It’s rumored they have more than just a business relationship, you know. He’s been seen checking into hotels with her.”
That hit a nerve, just as she knew he’d meant to, but she’d die before she’d let on. Without a flinch, she shrugged. “He’s a huge celebrity. Stories about him sell lots of papers and get big ratings. There are a ton of rumors about him out there. I’ll decide which I believe and which I won’t.” She was getting as irritated by this conversation as he was.
“Ella, babe—” He caught himself and exhaled loudly, confirming he was frustrated. “Be reasonable. You just said it yourself. He’s a huge celebrity. He’ll never settle for one girl. You know this. Are you seriously gonna be one of those girlfriends who turn a blind eye? I’m at a loss here. I really am. This is so not like you. Don’t you see what’s happening? This thing with you is all a game to him—”
“He’s not the one playing games or being deceitful,” she said a bit louder because she was definitely pissed now.
“What does that mean?” he asked, raising his voice as well. “I’ve never played games with you!”
“You really think that I’m buying that your being here wasn’t all planned? That your room being right next to mine was just an incredible coincidence?”
“It wasn’t planned, and the rooms my cousin had were all together. His room is on the other side of mine, but I didn’t plan it that way.”
“Oh please!” Ella stopped to face him because she was ending this discussion right now. She would not let him get to her. “No wonder you think me naïve enough to open my heart to someone like Felix Sanchez without thinking it through first. You really think I’m falling for your bullshit, don’t you? You brought Margie, a single woman my dad’s age who loves the Dodgers just like him, to keep him busy so you could have time alone with me. All this was—”
“Okay, it’s true!”
He threw his glass of beer in the trashcan so hard it shattered loudly and made her cringe. Ella stared at him, stunned, as he brought his hands to his head, pacing in front of her, and ran them roughly through his hair.
“I did plan it, damn it! But not the way you’re thinking. It wasn’t an elaborate scheme I had planned a long time ago. When my cousin told me about still having extra tickets, I mentioned the tickets to Drake. I’d opened up to him before about you and me, and I told him about having gotten you tickets too. He’s the one who suggested I come and use this weekend to try and talk some sense into you. When I told him about your dad coming on the cruise with you too, his wife was the one who came up with the suggestion that they bring her single sister. It really did all just come together at the last minute, but I did it because I’m genuinely worried about you.”
He walked over to the rail and looked out into the moonlit sky that reflected brightly off the ocean water. In another situation, the view and this night—everything about this—might actually be incredibly romantic.
“I love you, Ella.” He turned back to look at her. “I really think that if we try we can have something great, and I’m sorry, but I just don’t think things are gonna work out for you and Felix. I think, deep inside, you know that’s true also. He’s just gotten to you. I could stand around silently and wait for it to fall apart, but it kills me to know you’re gonna get hurt.”
Ella’s phone buzzed in her hand. It almost hurt to send Felix’s call to voicemail. She hadn’t realized their conversation had gone on this long.
She swallowed back the emotion that Grayson’s logic made her feel. Despite his shortcomings, she’d always thought him a very sensible guy. “I appreciate your concern, Grayson. I really do. And I appreciate everything that you’ve done for my family, but I’ve made up my mind about this. I’m taking my chances with Felix. You shouldn’t wait around either because even if things don’t work out between him and me, I already know things between you and me would never work either.”
“But—”
“I gotta go,” she said, walking away before he could say anything else that might rattle her.
“I’ll be here for you, Ella, and I won’t say I told you so either. Just know that I’ll be here for you.”
Ella kept walking without looking back or even slowing. She didn’t wait until she was in the comfort of her room to call Felix. She couldn’t. He’d already called twice and texted her to ask if they were skipping tonight’s call as if she weren’t dying to hear his voice already.
Only tonight she knew the call wouldn’t be quite as warm and fuzzy as they usually were because there was no way she could keep this from him anymore.
“Hey, baby,” he answered in his usual cheery voice. “I hope I didn’t keep you from anything. We can keep this short if you’re busy with your dad.”
“No,” she said, her voice a bit strained. “I didn’t realize it was this late already, and”—she took a deep breath, clutching the phone—“I got caught up in, uh, a bit of an argument.”
“Argument?” Felix’s cheery mood instantly deflected to concerned. “With who? Your dad?”
“No. With Grayson.” She stared out at the ocean, her heart racing at Felix’s momentary deafening silence.
“Grayson? He called just to argue with you?”
“No, he’s here”—she closed her eyes—“on the cruise.”