it okay to call you Gabrielle? It’s a lovely name.”
“Thank you, Cameron. I like being on a first-name basis with my coworkers.”
* * *
The neon lights and glamorous decor found on Parisian Boulevard astounded Gabrielle. She’d never taken a cruise before, and she was amazed. A bevy of specialty shops shone inside and out with dazzling lights. The colorful and brightly lit Champs-Elysées Casino was located on the same level. Cameron gave her a brief tour of the gambling facility. It wasn’t his favorite place to hang out because he didn’t like throwing away hard-earned money.
“All these bells and lights from the slot machines and screams from winners are exciting,” Gabrielle said.
He shrugged. “True enough, but there’s a downside to the excitement. The cruise liners make it easy for people to gamble away their money by borrowing funds against their credit card. Most people think they can make up the losses.”
Gabrielle hunched her shoulders. “I’ve never gambled. I’m not sure I can feed money into an inanimate object and expect it to pay me back handsomely. But from the excited sounds in here, there seems to be lots of winners.”
“Most definitely, but far more are losers,” Cameron remarked. “It’s one thing to have fun gambling and something totally different to be addicted.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. But I don’t have to worry about it. I’m a cheapskate, a budgeter. I don’t just give away money.”
“I wish I knew how to keep a tighter budget. I tend to splurge every now and then, but I usually have something to show for it. Maybe you can give me some pointers.”
“You got it. I have a great book on financial planning in my cabin. You can read it if you’d like. It helped me out a lot.”
“If you don’t mind bringing it to the clinic tomorrow, I’ll take good care of it.”
Gabrielle nodded. “You’ll have it in the morning.”
As the tour proceeded, Cameron showed Gabrielle both formal dining rooms, the Paris and the Marseille.
“Let’s go back to Parisian Boulevard,” Cameron suggested. “There’s plenty of duty-free shops.”
As Cameron and Gabrielle made their way back to Parisian Boulevard, they passed by several music venues. It seemed to her that music was offered all over the ship, like the live calypso and reggae she’d heard inside and outside on the main deck for hours on end. There was even a jumbo LED screen that showed special movies, concerts, sports and other entertainment.
“Would you like to get something to drink?” Cameron asked.
“All this walking has me a bit thirsty. I’d like a cold soda or iced tea.” Gabrielle was glad she’d chosen to wear flat sandals. In heels, her feet would have taken a good pounding.
“We’ll go into one of the lounges where we can listen to music. I don’t hang out on the ship very often. Even though the clinic closes at 6:00 p.m., one doctor is always on call. As the medical commander, I’m the backup and go-to person if two doctors are needed.”
“I know that there’s minimal free time. Still, I’m pleased with my decision.”
Cameron chuckled. “Let’s see how you feel after the first month.”
Gabrielle eyed him with curiosity. “Is that a warning?”
“Hardly. I just want to know your thoughts after working aboard for a while.”
“I’ll be sure to tell you. Have any of your crew members been unhappy?”
“That’s an understatement. There are some folks who can’t hack it. They think the job is glamour and glitz until they’re aboard for a week or so. Most of those who quit leave very early. It doesn’t take long for the boys and girls to separate themselves from the men and women.”
Gabrielle smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to scare me.”
Cameron stopped and looked into Gabrielle’s eyes. “I’m just answering. I’d never frighten you on purpose.”
Feeling herself getting lost in his intense gaze, Gabrielle looked away. “I won’t ask any more questions. I’ll wait and see what happens with me.”
The urge to take her hand to reassure her pulled at Cameron, but he didn’t dare. Holding her hand was too intimate for what could only be a working relationship between them. Although he found her extremely attractive and very sexy, he had to abide by his own rules, no matter how hard it might become.
* * *
At the Cannes Lounge Gabrielle and Cameron were escorted to a table near the piano bar by a hostess with a bubbly personality. Once they were seated, she took their drink orders and left.
Cameron settled back in the plush chair. “This is a nice place to relax. The guy who plays the piano and sings is excellent. He normally does the top forty and on some nights he plays oldies but goodies. Do you like the karaoke scene?”
Gabrielle chuckled. “I love to listen to people who can’t sing, yet are brave enough to get up there and give it a shot. I don’t have that kind of courage. What about you?”
“I don’t sound too bad, but I’d have to be feeling pretty good to put myself on display. I do sing in the shower though.”
“I—” Gabrielle cut her response short as the hostess set the drinks on the table.
“What were you going to say?” Cameron asked.
“I also sing in the shower. The sound of my own voice isn’t that bad to me, though it might be terrifying to others.” She chuckled then lifted her glass of iced tea. “Here’s to us building a great working relationship, Cameron. I believe we’ll work well together.”
Cameron raised his glass. “Hear, hear. We’ve already managed to break the ice quite nicely. If there is anything you need help with on the job, don’t be afraid to let me know. I’m a great supervisor, Gabrielle, a really fair and patient one.”
Gabrielle smiled softly. “I can believe that about you. You seem down-to-earth.”
The couple smiled warmly at each other as they clinked together their glasses.
* * *
Freshly showered and ready for bed, Gabrielle climbed in between the sheets. She had a feeling that she wouldn’t be sleeping alone tonight. Cameron’s strong presence wasn’t going away anytime soon. The great impression he’d made on her would stay with her for a long time. She wouldn’t mind him sleeping next to her, even if it was only in her dreams. Sighing, Gabrielle positioned the extra pillow against her abdomen and wrapped her arms around it.
Chapter 2
Seated on the chaise lounge, Gabrielle waited for the sun to make its appearance. In the city she’d never seen this many bright stars in the sky at night, unless she was near a beach in her hometown. It was
