Aboard the Wishing Star by Debra Parmley Page B

you're going to change, I'll go back with you and find Adam," Viv said.
    "Okay." Kara waved at Daryl, who was now on his cell phone, scowling. She walked with Viv back up the gangplank.
    Once they reached the room, Viv went to spin the dial on the room safe. "Take your watch and keep an eye on the time. And keep your cell phone on. I'll take mine. I don't trust him to get you back here before we leave."
    "Maybe you don't, but I doubt he'd deliberately make me miss our excursion."
    "If I were you, I'd make sure I had enough cab fare to get back. He'll conveniently forget the time."
    "I'll be there on time."
    "You'd better be." Viv called Adam. "Hey, glad I caught you. There's been a small change in plans."
    Kara jerked the closet door open. It hit the wall with a thud.
    Okay, settle down. It's just brunch. I'll go, thank him, and then meet up with Viv and the guys. Daryl and I go to lunch all the time. It's no big deal to have lunch with him.
    Her stomach twisted.
    That's different from him showing up on my vacation.
    Oh my God. Can I not even go on vacation without work following? I need a new job. Have to create a resume. The minute I get back. Why is he here? It must be a last minute trip. He didn't say anything about it before.
    He'd said he wanted to see St. Martin. Getting a last minute ticket to the island must have cost dearly. Or was this trip business?
    And what made him think she'd drop her plans because he showed up and wanted to do something?
    Her stomach flipped again.
    In case she was late, Kara left her red bikini on and pulled a cotton sundress over it. She put on her watch, and grabbed her wallet. She rolled up one of the beach towels the cruise line provided to use while ashore and put it in her bag. If she had to, she'd go straight from brunch to the pier to catch the boat.
    What will Nate think of me going off with Daryl?
    On the way down in the elevator, Kara turned on her phone. Her stomach flipped again. Thirteen phone calls from Daryl. Text after text. She deleted everything. Whatever he wanted, he'd tell her at brunch.
    If it's work related, I really don't want to hear about work on my vacation. My God, can I not get a break? And if it isn't work related, well, that would be too weird. It has been nice to get a break from him. Being away from the phone is so freeing. Why can't he leave me alone when I'm on vacation?
    Daryl stood waiting with a smile. Kara tried to relax and smile back.
    There has to be a logical reason for him being here on the island. Daryl isn't the sort to do things on a whim.
    "You look very pretty, Kara."
    "Thank you. How did you get here?"
    "I flew. Tiny plane. Bumpy ride."
    That had to be expensive.
    "It was worth it."
    Had she spoken out loud or had he read her mind?
    "I'm glad you made time for me. I wanted to surprise you." He reached for her hand.
    "Well, you certainly did." She pulled her hand loose. He was her boss. They didn't hold hands. Her stomach twisted again.
    Kara wanted brunch over with so she could escape and go snorkeling with Nate. She wished Nate was here now and had wished for him by her side ever since walking away with Daryl.
    But wishing didn't work. Because here she sat across the table from Daryl feeling decidedly uncomfortable. Nate was probably having fun and thinking about the excursion he seemed so excited to take her on. She just had to get past this brunch and then she'd be on the boat with Nate.
    "I had breakfast on the ship. I'm not really hungry." She ordered the small fresh fruit plate to have something to nibble.
    "Bring her the quiche and fruit combo," Daryl told the waiter.
    "Oh no, that's too much food."
    He ignored her and shooed the waiter away.
    "If you insist on going on that crazy excursion, you need to do more than nibble on fruit."
    "It's not crazy."
    God, he was pushy.
    They weren't at work now. There was no reason to boss her around here. And he'd insisted on ordering champagne.
    "Drink up."
    She frowned but sipped from her