had always held his feelings close to his chest. “And I appreciate it. But it’s okay. I’m okay.”
“So you’re on the ship?”
She nodded, and then, realizing he couldn’t see her, she said, “Yes, I am.”
“Good. Now watch out for any smooth-talking men. Don’t fall for their lines. Tell them to push off or else your big brother will take care of them—”
“Xander, I’m not in school anymore. I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself.”
Her brother sighed. “I know.”
“But you worry.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No.” How could she reprimand him when she’d done something similar when he’d hooked up with Lea? Stasia had posed as a potential buyer of Infinity Island in order to find out if Lea was a gold digger. In the end, Stasia had learned that Lea had a heart of gold. “But you have to trust me. I can take care of myself.”
“If you need anything, I’m only a phone call away.”
And then a movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. It was a tall man with dark hair. Though she could only see the back of him, there was something familiar about the way he held himself and the way he moved with sure, steady strides.
She told herself she shouldn’t stare even if it was from across the deck, but she couldn’t turn away. Or maybe she was using this distraction to keep from thinking about what her brother was saying. Did Xander really think she was incapable of caring for herself?
She knew then and there that she had to prove to him—to herself—that she could stand firmly on her own two feet. She’d thought she’d been doing that ever since Lukos passed, but it seemed that wasn’t so clear to everyone. She promised herself that by the time the cruise ended, she would have a firm life plan for herself.
In the beginning of this horrible nightmare, she’d had her doubts about facing life alone. But one day faded into two, and with each passing day, she’d somehow mustered up the strength and determination to put one foot in front of the other. And now nearly two years later, she was feeling strong and determined. She just needed a direction.
As Xander spoke of the bungalow he could build her on Infinity Island, her gaze focused on that tall, dark man across the way. He was busy speaking with a striking young woman. No doubt it was his girlfriend or wife.
And then the man turned. She was curious to see if his face was as handsome as she’d imagined it to be. And it was, but the surprise didn’t end there. The breath caught in her throat.
It was Roberto.
Her heart stuttered. What was he doing here?
Xander had his hand in this. She was certain of it. Her brother couldn’t even send her off on a cruise for a birthday gift without feeling the need to send along someone to keep an eye on her.
“What’s Roberto doing here?”
“What?”
“Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about.” She was angry. This was too much. “I’m looking right at him.”
“I bet he’s probably flirting with some beautiful young woman.”
“How did you know?”
“Because that’s Roberto. He’s a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. If any woman is foolish enough to think he’ll commit himself to her, she’ll just end up getting hurt. But as far as a friend, they don’t come any better than him.”
“Xander, I want to know what he’s doing on this cruise.”
Xander’s voice was muffled as though he had his hand over the phone. “Okay. I’m coming.” He spoke back into the phone. “Sorry, sis. I’ve got to go. Lea needs me.”
“Xander?”
And with that, the phone went dead.
Stasia inwardly groaned in frustration. What had her brother done? Enough was enough. And she wasn’t going to play his game, whatever it was.
This ship was big—big enough for her to avoid Roberto. Which was a shame because she’d always liked Roberto. Even when they were growing up, he’d been kind and thoughtful. And now as an adult, he was the most amazing eye candy. She hadn’t known it was possible for a man to look that good in a suit.
But if he was here to babysit her, then she didn’t have time for him. Stasia turned her back to him and walked in the opposite direction. Wherever he was, she would not be.
* * *
This was the absolute last place in the world he wanted to be.
Why couldn’t a work emergency have come up?
Ding.
Roberto Carrass checked his phone for the ninth time in less than five minutes. The emails were stacking up, each one more important than the last. He didn’t have time for a vacation. There was work to be done.
His fingers moved fluidly over the face of his phone. He composed a response to his assistant about a pending acquisition.
Ding. Ding.
Now that he was a full partner with Xander, their business was taking off. There were no more delays, waiting on approvals. When he spotted a good deal, he could move on it—if he wasn’t stuck on a two-week cruise with his big Greek family.
Roberto sighed, louder than he’d intended. His phone was not the best way to deal with emails. He really needed to go to his cabin and work on his laptop.
His grandmother elbowed him. “Would you put that contraption away?”
“Yaya, it’s a cell phone.” With great reluctance, he slipped it in his pocket. “And if you would quit being so stubborn, I would get you one. They aren’t that hard to use.”
She lifted her chin. “I already have a perfectly good phone at home. I don’t need one when I’m out and about. Whatever people want can wait until I get home. Now stop frowning. We’re here to have fun.” His grandmother smiled brightly. It was so hard to believe she was about to have her eightieth birthday. Most of the time, she acted half her age or younger.
“I’m going to get myself a drink.”
Yaya arched a penciled brow. “Don’t hide in some corner. Or worse, go to your cabin to work. This is a vacation. Look at all these lovely ladies. I’m sure you’ll find someone to spend your time with.”
While wearing a forced smile, he inwardly groaned. He was in so much trouble. They’d just pulled out of the dock and they were to be at sea for two weeks—two weeks of matchmaking torture.
“Yaya, I’m fine. I don’t need to find someone to spend time with.”
His grandmother’s gaze
