16. Margo

Asoft smile played on Margos lips as she watched Karens brother-in-law playing with his little niece. The child was squealing with glee, and Eric was grinning so broadly that it threatened to split his face.

As her mind substituted Negal for Eric, and a little blond-haired girl who looked like Negal for the dark-haired child in the pool, Margo stifled a chuckle.

That was one hell of a leap. If she didnt find a way to quickly overcome her intimacy problem, and Negals commander refused to let him stay around for a little longer, Negal would have to leave, and there would be no future for them.

She couldnt go with him because she couldnt keep up with five immortals, and she couldnt expect them to slow down for her. She also couldnt risk transitioning on a trail with no medical facilities for miles around.

Ugh. If she wasnt such a coward, she would have just taken the dive and hoped for the best. She could imagine that it was an arranged marriage and that she was no different from millions of women who had barely any contact with their husbands before their wedding night.

They had survived, and so would she.

Or even better, she could convince her brain that she was in a Perfect Match adventure with Negal and that none of it was real.

With a sigh, Margo pulled out her phone and texted Frankie. Are you busy?

Her phone rang a moment later. For you, never.

Margo laughed. I wasnt sure you and Dagor were out of bed.

Im still in bed, and Dagor is ordering room service.

I didnt know that was an option. I was under the impression that the staff couldnt handle orders.

They usually dont, but they dont mind if you call to request a meal and then come get it yourself. Hes going to pick it up when its ready.

Thats good to know. She looked around to make sure that no one was paying her attention and lowered her voice. Did you bring any romance novels with you on the cruise? Mine are on my phone, which is probably at the bottom of the ocean, and I need something to read to relax.

Frankie chuckled. You have a real romance going on. What do you need a book for?

Reading helps me fall asleep, and I need something sweet and silly that will not make me anxious. It was the truth, just not the whole truth.

Yeah, I like reading before bed, too, but only if I dont have something better to do to relax me. She laughed. I have some e-books on my phone, but I cant give that to you for obvious reasons.

Damn. What about Mia? Do you think she might have brought some paperbacks with her?

I dont think she reads romance novels now that she has Toven. But maybe he has some. He writes under several pen names, and the dude is an old-fashioned romantic, so maybe he has a completed manuscript that he needs someone to beta read for him.

Right, I forgot that hes a writer. But it would be super awkward to read sex scenes written by Mias fiancé. Do you know what I mean?

She wouldnt be able to keep from imagining that he was describing making love to Mia.

Yeah, I totally do. I can ask around for you, but the truth is that the only one Ive seen with a paperback book on board was Kaia, and knowing her, it was a science book. Most everyone reads on their phone these days. Come to think of it, they should have a library on this ship.

That would be wonderful if they do. Is there a suggestion box somewhere? Not that its going to help me right now, but it could benefit future passengers.

We should tell Mia. She knows everyone by now, and as Tovens mate, she can talk to the bosses whenever she wants.

You mean Kian and his wife?

Yeah. Anyway, Dagor is back, and I need to go.

Lucky girl.

Have fun. Well talk later. Margo ended the call.

Perhaps Jasmine had brought with her some of those historical romance novels shed talked about. But if she was like Margo, shed left the paperbacks at home and only read e-books while on vacation.

Some of the covers of romance novels were so racy that reading them in public was embarrassing. Then again, Jasmine didnt seem like the type who got embarrassed about stuff like that. The woman was an extrovert and a flirt, and there was a small chance that she had what Margo needed.

If not for her promise to accompany Negal to the clinic, Margo would have gone to see Jasmine right away, but it would have to wait. Perhaps she could leave Negal with Karen and her family and excuse herself to go see Jasmine.