The Workaholic and the Realist (New Hampshire Bears #2) (20 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Harlow

“Let’s go over this one more time,” I instructed Dacey. I went over everything she needed to handle while I was on the cruise.

“I finished the Patterson book last night, and it needs to go back after you finish your reads. I have the Felix manuscript with me, and I’ll have it done on the plane, since I’ll be on there so damn long,” I grumbled. Planes didn’t bother me, but the length of time did.

“And Meadow will have the rest of hers by the end of the week,” Dacey reminded me.

“Yes, but she knows I’m gone, and I have plenty of time to do it when I get back.”

“Okay.” Dacey jotted notes on her pad. “Anything else?”

I ran through my mental checklist and nothing came to mind. “Just grab my mail and leave it on my desk. I’ll have Wi-Fi time-to-time, but I’m going to read and relax this trip.” And forget about Keaton.

“Perfect.”

I said goodbye to Dacey at the end of the day and went to finish packing. I’ve never been on a cruise alone. I planned on reading on the deck all day long and work on my tan. When the boat went into port, I was going to shop till I dropped. I would also eat anything and everything I could get in my mouth. I couldn’t forget the alcohol of course. Lots and lots of alcohol.

I sit my packed suitcase by the door, along with my purse, passport, and tickets. I made sure I had my laptop, Kindle, and all my chargers. I was even able to slip in two paperbacks in my carry-on bag if I needed them.

I made sure all my dishes were cleaned, leaving nothing in the sink. I ran a quick vacuum around the house and double-checked that all my laundry was done.

“Okay,” I said aloud, proud of all I accomplished. Now the only item left on my to-do list: have fun.

I rested in the first-class lounge, sipping the white wine. I thought splurging on first-class had been a dumb idea, but right now, I didn’t care. Sure Keaton’s ticket wouldn’t be used, and I had to eat that money.

Can I sue him for the money?

I shook my head. I wouldn’t think about him this week. This was my selfish week of sun, fun, reading, and shopping. I didn’t even take my vibrator because I would be too busy having fun.

The announcement came for me to board my flight. I downed my wine and picked up my bag, heading to my gate. I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I looked for Keaton. There was small part of me hoping he would show. I stood off to the side and scanned the crowd, but he wasn’t there, and it gave me the closure I needed. It proved to me he’d moved on, and so had I.

Ah, Venice.

I sighed to myself as I stepped out of the airport. I hailed a cab and told him what port I needed. Normally, I would have come a day early to explore, but not this time.

I showed my paperwork and boarded the incredible boat, following signs to my cabin. I used my wide ass to push open the door as I tugged my suitcase into my room.

“Damn broken roller.” I kicked the bag and turned only to be frozen in place in shock.

“If you want, honey-bunny, I’ll buy you a new one at our first stop.”

My mouth wouldn’t work, but it hung open. Keaton sat on the bed, looking extremely casual in khaki shorts and a light green polo; he even had flip-flops on. His blue eyes were bright, and I could tell he’d recently had a haircut.

“Pussy got your tongue, honey-bunny.”

I snapped out of my trance. “The term is
cat
.” I sat my bag on the long dresser.

“Pussy has a certain
je ne sais quoi
, don’t you think?”

“Do you even know what that means? Better yet, can you even spell it?” Anger pulsed through me. He shouldn’t be here.

“Aw, honey-bunny—”

“Stop calling me that,” I roared, stomping over to him. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“My beautiful girlfriend booked this for me.”

“I’m not your girlfriend. I’m fucking nothing to you.”

“That’s not true.” He jumped up from the bed. “You mean a hell of lot to me.”

“Obviously, you’re on a one-way street called Dumbass Avenue, because I don’t give a rat’s ass about you.” Okay, it was a lie, sort-of. I did wish him all the best, but right now? I wanted to punch him in the nose.

He reached for me. “Harlow—”

“Get off this boat or get another cabin.” I stepped away from him.

“No, my name is on this one, and I’ll be staying here.”

I grunted at him, shoving him hard on the chest. I stomped out of the cabin to find a steward to move me to another room. Right before I found someone, the horn blew, and I knew we would be sailing soon. I finally found someone and requested a move.

“I’m sorry, but this cruise is completely booked. We can fix anything wrong in your cabin, but there’s no way to change.”

I huffed so hard I thought smoke would come out of my nose as I stormed back to my cabin. Keaton was leaning against the door frame wearing his sexy grin. It pissed me off more, and I pushed past him and started grabbing my bags.

“Where are you going, Harlow?”

“Away from you, and if you won’t leave, I will. I’ll get a hotel and fly back to the US in the morning.” I headed toward the door, but he blocked it. “Move. Now.”

“No, you paid for this trip for us and
we
are going on it. No arguments.” He crossed his arms.

“You’re going to move, or I’m really going to knee you in the balls,” I yelled at him.

The last horn blew, and I knew the boat would be shoving off any moment. “I’m not joking, Keaton Jaco.”

“Neither am I. We belong together, and I’m going to show you.” I saw the seriousness in his eyes. “I’m asking for a second chance.”

I stepped up to him, and we were nose-to-nose. “You don’t listen very well. I already told you I don’t give second chances, especially to someone who treated me the way you did.” I begged the tears not to fall.

“All right.” He moved away from the door.

I swung the door open with all my might only to be deflated with disappointment. The boat was moving.

“Oh, darn it.” Keaton snapped his fingers. “It seems you have to stay.”

I did my best not to turn around and really throat punch him. Instead, I slammed the door, spun on my heels, and stuck my finger in his face.

“You will leave me alone this entire trip. You’re going to sleep on the couch, and don’t even think about touching me.” I tossed my bags on the bed and began to unpack.

No sound came from either of us as I hung my clothes up and put the rest in drawers. I kept my eyes fixed on my task and not on Keaton’s hot ass body.

“Axel is doing good, by the way.” He finally spoke.

I turned on my Kindle and stretched out on the uncomfortable couch. “Who’s Axel? My curiosity is getting the best of me.”

“I believed you named him puppy.”

“The dog?”

He nodded.

“You kept him?” I figured he’d give him away.

“Why wouldn’t I? You gave him to me.” He had a soft smile on his face and looked like the old Keaton I fell in love with.

“Well, it’s nice you kept him.” I went back to my Kindle, trying not to seem pleased about the fact.

I continued to ignore him, but my eyes kept gazing up at him. He made himself comfortable on the bed, his long tanned legs, crossed at the ankles. He had one arm under his head and was staring at his iPad.

“Meadow told me you read the book I sent you.”

I groaned. “She has a big mouth.” I saw his smirk deepen, but he didn’t look over at me.

“Did you like it?”

“Eh, I guess it’s okay.” I played off the fact I loved it and have read it again since the first time. “Wait, when did you talk to Meadow?” I put my Kindle down, suddenly wondering why she didn’t tell me they’d spoken.

“She came over and helped me publish my book.”

I sat up straighter. “You published it?”

He laid down his iPad and turned to me with a glint in his eyes. “Yep.”

“When?”

“Several weeks ago.”

“Oh,” was my brilliant come back.

He rolled off the bed and strolled over to the dresser, opening the top drawer. I couldn’t see what he was doing because my gaze was planted right on his hard ass.

He turned around and held a book out to me. I reached for it, turning and putting my feet on the floor.

“This is yours.” It wasn’t really a question because I knew the answer.

He took a seat at the end of the couch, resting his arm against the back and holding his head up with two fingers.

“Yes,” he answered.

The bitch in me jumped ship for a moment. “Your grams would be so proud.”

His blue eyes were sad for a second before nodding. I handed the book back to him, but he simply shook his head. “It’s yours.”

“Thank you.” I stood up and put it on the dresser. “I’m going to get some air.”

“I’ll come with you.” He rose to his feet, but I threw up my hands.

“Alone.” I grabbed my purse and left the room.

There were more people out on the decks than I thought there would be. I found myself resting on the rails, watching the coastline drift farther and farther away. Keaton had messed up my plan to be alone and have a week filled with fictional boyfriends and alcohol. Yep, he had to come be all…sexy and shit.

No, he is not sexy.

I would not allow his smoking hot body, gorgeous grin, or blue eyes persuade me to getting back with him. Well, maybe he just wanted a fuck buddy; I’d be half tempted then.

No, Harlow. You’ve already cried over this guy.

I pushed my hand through my hair and got pissed at myself. I’d never lost myself in a relationship. I always remained true to me; but Keaton had swooped in and knocked me for a loop.

“Fuck.” I ranted under my breath. Forty years old and now I was acting like a fucking teenager obsessed with some guy.

Obsessed was the wrong word. I fell in love, but there was nothing left. I couldn’t allow there to be anything left; what if he left me again
?
I’d already changed after he broke me last time.

Right?

“Harlow.” Keaton softly said my name.

I sniffed, not realizing I’d been crying. I wiped my cheeks.

“Harlow.” He stood next to me. “If you want me to leave, I’ll get off at the next port and catch a plane home.”

I held the rail tightly and stared at the sea in front of me now. My head told me to let him leave, but my heart wanted him to stay. It’d hurt to watch him leave
again
, but part of me wanted him to suffer too since he’d hurt me so badly.

“No, you don’t have to leave.”

“I wish you knew how sorry I am. I’ll do anything to get you back into my life.”

“You’re wasting your time.” I couldn’t look at him. His eyes still made my knees weak, especially being this close to him.

“Well, you once told me we’d always be friends, remember?”

I knew what I’d told him, but I didn’t acknowledge that right now.