very much like the sound of Gage’s voice when he called her name to tug her from her thoughts.
“It’s not such a surprise that I’d go into the clothing business.” She saw his probing stare narrow dangerously and raised her hands in a show of playful defense. “I swear I’m not trying to make light of it.”
Gage had dissolved into laughter. Once done, he relaxed back into the chair and waved his hand in a mock show of permissiveness, urging her to continue with her story.
At ease, Alythia forked up another plump glazed shrimp. “I’ve always dreamed of being surrounded by beautiful clothes.” She popped the morsel of meat into her mouth and took a moment to relish the taste. “Mostly because I never had any growing up. None of us did.” Her expression saddened somewhat when she looked toward Myrna and Jeena. “Then we met Orchid.” She beamed.
“How’d that friendship happen?” Gage glanced over to Orchid and Jayson. “I thought, with her family’s money, she’d have been in some private school.”
Aly levered a weighty look toward her friend. “Yeah, she was, but there were...problems with following a few choice rules and Mr. Benjamin said if she wanted to rule-break, he wasn’t gonna pay an arm and a leg for her to do it. So he sent her to public school.”
“Damn. I heard he was a tough man.” Gage studied Orchid for a moment or two and then shook his head. “Hard to believe she got into so much trouble with a parent like that.”
“Well, Ork’s always done her own thing...but Luther Benjamin was a really great man.” Alythia set down her fork and leaned back into the chair, reminiscence filling her striking stare. “He never treated his daughter’s new public school girlfriends with anything other than acceptance and respect. He was the kind of dad we all wanted.” A sigh followed the admission.
“Wanted but...didn’t have?” Gage carefully probed.
“Myrna’s mom and dad separated when she was little.” Alythia hugged herself a bit, raking her square French tips over suddenly chilled arms. “Jeena never knew her dad, and mine...” She resisted the urge to allow resentment to close her eyes. “Mine was in and out, in and out of my mother’s pocketbook when he’d drank or gambled off his own. If he didn’t steal it, she’d give it to him, no questions, no matter if she had to pay rent, buy food or...”
“Clothes.”
His voice was quiet with understanding that made Aly smile while she nodded slowly.
“My mom died of a broken heart. She tried to be everything my father wanted. When that didn’t work, she tried to buy his love and when that didn’t work, she killed herself.”
The stunning revelation was interrupted when a belt of laughter rang out from Zeke and Jeena’s direction. Gage paid no mind to the outburst on the other side of the room. He appeared stricken and remorseful.
“Hell...” He groaned, having taken her elbow and drawn her so near to him that she was practically seated on the line between the cushions of his chair and her own. “God, I’m sorry for making you remember that.”
“No, Gage.” She smoothed her hand across the one that clutched her arm. “It wasn’t like that. She—” Aly inhaled around the sudden emotion swelling her chest. “She passed slowly over time. There was nothing...physically wrong. She just didn’t want to live—lost the will...”
“I’m sorry anyway.” He squeezed her arm and gave it a little tug.
“Thanks.” Her smile harbored none of its earlier somberness. “I’ll never own up to the idea that I have any ‘daddy issues.’ My sister and I are too busy living our lives for that.”
“I like the sound of that.” Gage applied a soft thumb stroke to the bend of her arm.
“It’s true. We live our lives in tribute to our mom.”
Suspiciously amused, he smiled. “How?”
The high back of the chair provided the perfect headrest and Alythia indulged. “My sister is married to a pretty awesome guy who I’m not ashamed to say I’m just a little in love with.”
Gage’s whistle ushered in quick, hearty laughter. “Does your sister know this?”
“She does.” Aly joined in when Gage laughed again. “Doesn’t matter, though. The man only has eyes for her. He’s been known to actually stop talking midsentence when she walks into a room. And that’s just a little piece of what makes him so incredible.” She sighed, but the sound held a dreamy vibe. “Men like him are in short supply.”
Gage focused on where his thumb brushed Alythia’s skin. “So while your sister is taking great men off the market, you’re putting great clothes on it?”
Alythia’s expressive gaze widened. “That’s a fantastic way to look at it. Hmph, do you mind if I use that?”
Again he performed the permissive wave. “Not at all.”
“Your attention, please.”
The mixed conversations were interrupted then by the sound of the captain’s voice merging in among the warm drone of voices, clinking glasses and laughter.
“We are within thirty-five minutes of our arrival time and ask that you please begin your return to the main deck...”
“We’ll have dessert and coffee upstairs, guys,” Gage called out while the captain continued his message.
“Can we talk more later?” he asked Alythia while the others were pushing out of their seats.
Her smile brightened and she accepted when he offered her his hand.
“I’d like that,” she told him, barely noticing the looks passing between the other couples at her and Gage’s expense.
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