Page 2 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Two

Shiloh:

“Earth to Shiloh.” LeeAnn’s high-pitched voice and the waving of her hand in front of my face grabbed my attention.

“Yeah?”

“You sure you up for tonight? I mean, I know it’s the first night of the cruise, but with everything that has happened, if you want to stay in tonight, we can. I’ll understand.”

Sitting at the makeshift vanity in the beautiful ocean-view suite, I continued applying my makeup.

It had been two short months since things transpired between Daniel and me; I wanted to do any and everything to get over him.

Since he and I were over and the trip had been funded in full, I had LeeAnn tag along so what I paid wouldn’t go to waste.

The pain was still fresh, but I vowed that whatever I felt on land would be left there until I returned.

Looking at her through the mirror, I forced a smile. “I’m good.”

Even before the lie left my lips, I knew LeeAnn wouldn’t believe it. She always saw through my bullshit. LeeAnn’s arched right brow hiked higher than it already was, and her eyes glued to mine through the mirror, confirming what I already knew.

With pursed lips, I tossed my hair over my shoulders, standing simultaneously.

“Look, we both know what I dealt with, but Daniel and any problems I had with him are history. I came on this ship to bring in my dirty thirty properly as well as have a good fucking time… So, pour me up a drink, and let’s do just that. ” I put on my best acting face.

“Well, okay then. That’s what I love to hear. Not only that, but you also rocking the hell out of that dress, so it’s time to get some heads turning.”

LeeAnn was too excited. So much so she spun on her heels to retrieve something to drink from the in-suite bar for us.

With LeeAnn out of view, I used that time to wipe the tears that slipped at the thought of Daniel.

I was healing, but he and I had so many years behind us that even through his infidelity, letting go seemed impossible.

I exhaled heavily just when LeeAnn was returning with two shot glasses in her hand. She handed me my shot.

“Salud!”

I cleared my throat. “Salud.”

I wasn’t sure if the time on this ship was enough feasible time after all, but I would try to make it the best.

“Girl, I thought we were here for a good time,” LeeAnn yelled over the loud music.

It had only been two hours since we stepped into the grown and sexy club, and I was ready to go fifteen minutes in.

I was just a few days shy of another milestone birthday, but I felt so out of place around the ones my age.

The club had never been my scene. I was always one that would rather be at home curled up on the couch with a good book and glass of wine.

Being outside irked my soul more than I cared to admit out loud since most people didn’t conduct themselves accordingly.

“I’m ready to go.”

The place was poorly lit with horrible strobe lights, but it didn’t make LeeAnn’s annoyed expression any less noticeable.

“Really?”

Hell yeah.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I said, ignoring her, not waiting for her to acknowledge my departure. I only ignored LeeAnn because one question answered would lead to ten more asked.

I slowly ambled my way to the bathroom, having to push past people enjoying the night.

They swayed to the beat, kissed who they were with, took shots, or just stood around having a time.

The vibe was there. My mood was just off.

Finally, I made my way through the crowd, reaching the bathroom.

It was almost like a breath of fresh air not being surrounded by so many people.

I didn’t have to use the bathroom, so after pushing the door open, I moved instantly toward the sink.

Standing at the sink in the bathroom, I glared back at my reflection; I resembled myself on the outside, but what I felt internally didn’t match.

“I just need to take my ass to my suite and try again tomorrow,” I mumbled just as the toilet in the stall behind me flushed. Seconds later, a beautiful chick walked out.

Not paying the girl any mind, I continued staring back at myself until I could feel her staring a hole into the side of my face. Never being one to be afraid to speak my mind or address things when needed, I faced her.

“Can I help you with something?” My tone was even and not confrontational.

She nervously giggled. “No. I mean, yes.” Her words slurred. “You’re just stunningly beautiful. That’s all. I’m not trying to hit on you or anything, but your skin is flawless. Are you a model? If not, you should be.”

The girl’s words slurred, and she spoke all in one breath, but I understood it all.

Her compliment caused me to smile. It was almost like I needed to hear it.

Since my middle school days, I was told I should model.

While I knew there was no ugly bone in my body, I never felt I measured up to what a real model looked like.

Almost as if I wouldn’t be accepted. Dark skin, full lips, big forehead, almond-shaped eyes, dainty nose, and a full body was what I worked with.

I was beautiful, just not model standard from what I saw from real models.

I blushed. “Thank you.”

The girl’s eyes roamed me from head to toe, almost like she’d jump on me. “And you wearing the hell out of that dress.”

Her small frame rocked from side to side as she used the sink’s counter for leverage. She said she wasn’t hitting on me, but from her fuck me eyes to licking of the lips, I couldn’t tell.

“Thank you,” I repeated, unsure of what else to say.

We lingered a bit until things got awkward. I appreciated her straightforwardness and how she made me forget for a second what life was like outside of her presence.

“Enjoy the rest of your night.” I hurried away.

“Hope to see you again before the cruise is over.” I heard just before I stepped over the threshold of the bathroom.

“Ouch!” I hollered in pain, being knocked off my feet. I felt like I had run smack into a brick wall.

Though the place was dark as a hand was extended my way, a spotlight seemed to appear.

My eyes followed the hand up to its forearm that had many tattoos etched into it before reaching the half-covered bicep then finally meeting the face the limb belonged to.

He was fine, resembling a portrait that hung in an art museum.

I was drawn to him like he was the yin to my yang, forcing us to connect like magnets.

“My bad.” His deep voice shocked my core, while he helped me to my feet.

I had the words, but none would come from my mouth. I was too stunned to speak.

“You good?” His dark yet intriguing brown eyes scanned my body from head to toe and back to my head before they settled on my eyes.

I swallowed hard “Ye—” My voice came out hoarser than I wanted. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

I pulled my hand back, realizing he hadn’t released me.

“Cool.”

We stood in silence. It was not as awkward as the girl in the bathroom, but I still felt off.

“Thank you.” I quickly brushed past him to hurry back to LeeAnn, but I felt a light grip on my wrist that stopped me.

Our bodies had already connected, but when his hand wrapped around my wrist, an electric current shot through my body.

The feeling was something I’d never experienced.

I wanted to pull my hand back. I probably should have, but what was happening between us paired with the eye contact stopped me. I couldn’t move.

“Rashad.” His deep voice caused my heart to skip a beat.

“Huh?”

“Rashad.”

I’d heard him and knew he was introducing himself, but he had my mind in a haywire. I cleared my throat.

“Shiloh.”

Rashad smiled, giving me a view of his bright set of teeth.

He was fine, resembling a milk-chocolate god.

Rashad wasn’t the normal guy I went for, but that didn’t make him any less sexy.

Chocolate-colored skin, beautiful yet intriguing brown eyes, a chiseled face with two small tattoos, and a perfectly lined, thick beard completed his facial features.

The waves in his Caesar cut were enough to make anyone sick.

His tall frame and athletic body were added perks. He was fine beyond words.

“Good to meet you, Shiloh,” he uttered with a lick of the lips.

My name had never impressed me until I heard Rashad say it.

I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to say the pleasure was all mine or if it was good meeting him as well.

Instead, I said nothing. I was educated, articulated my words, and could speak in front of a massive crowd, yet being in the presence of Rashad made me mute.

I cleared my throat from nervousness. “I have to go.”

“Okay.”

Though he’d said okay, Rashad failed to release my hand. I pulled back.

“Enjoy your night.” I turned quickly, ambling away from Rashad. Though I didn’t look over my shoulder, I knew Rashad was eyeing me. I could feel it.

“Damn, girl, took you long enough, I thought you were rea…” her words trailed off, and she looked at me strangely before looking past me. “Girl, are you okay?”

I looked over my shoulder toward the bathroom, hoping to spot the mystery guy, but even if he had still been there, it wasn’t enough light to see.

“Yeah. I’m okay.”

“Okay…”

“I just met my husband.”

LeeAnn looked at me with a skeptical expression before cackling loudly. “You’re crazy.”

I didn’t speak. Instead, I stood there trying to find the humor in what I’d said.

Her laughter slowed before it was just a smile, and soon, that faded. “Wait. You can’t be serious?”

Was I serious? I looked over my shoulder again before looking back her way. I wasn’t positive, but one thing for sure and two things for certain, whoever that guy was had altered something in me. I had to lay eyes on him again, even if only for a moment.