Page 16 of Mister Daddy
She searches my eyes for something. I assume she finds it because she settles on the edge of the bed instead of walking out the door. I take the breakfast menu from the counter and hand it to her.
“Order whatever you want,” I say.
Abby studies the menu for a few minutes. “Pancakes and eggs sounds delicious. Weird, this isn’t the room service menu we have in our room.”
“Pancakes and eggs it is.”
I call the direct line to the kitchen and place our orders. “Ten minutes, max,” the person on the line assures me. Good. I don’t know how much longer I can keep Abby from leaving without it getting weird. I want her to stay, but I won’t force her to.
“Being the cruise line owner has its perks,” I tell Abby. “Like getting to order pretty much whatever I want from room service.”
“Must be nice,” she sighs. “You’re going to ruin me, though. Tomorrow, when I go to breakfast with my friends, I’ll be expecting the same high quality food we’re about to eat.”
“True. I’m a little biased, but the food at the buffets isn’t bad. I eat there more often than I eat in my room.”
Abby laughs. “Good to know.”
“So, what are your plans today?” I ask.
Her face lights up. “I’m so excited to see the private island. I grew up in South Florida, so I’m used to beaches and hot weather, but I’ve never actually been on an island before. I’ve never even ventured out to the Keys.”
“Seriously?”
She nods, looking embarrassed. “We didn’t take a ton of vacations when I was growing up. Then I went to school, and then I got a job as an accountant. I guess I just ran out of time.”
“Good thing you’re on this cruise, then. You’ll be on a few different islands.”
“I know! It’s really exciting.”
“I grew up in Florida, too,” I say after a few beats of silence. “But North Florida. The Panhandle.”
Abby studies me. “I can see that,” she says. “You have a North Florida vibe to you.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“It’s a statement,” she says.
“I’ll take it.”
A knock on the door stops our conversation. I take the food tray from the steward and offer him a large tip, which he accepts gratefully. A lot of people don’t realize how much work the cruise staff puts in to make sure a cruise goes off without a hitch, so they don’t tip them as well as they would a waiter in a restaurant. I can’t make up for everyone, but I do my best. My cruise line would fail without the onboard staff members keeping things running.
“Breakfast is served,” I announce, sitting cross-legged on the bed. Abby adjusts herself so that she’s facing me. I’m sure it’s not on purpose, but her position gives me an excellent view up her dress.
Abby cuts up her pancakes, and I dig into my waffles. We eat in silence for a few minutes, savoring the delicious breakfast.
“These pancakes are amazing,” she says. “Don’t tell her I said this, but they’re better than the ones my mom makes.”
I laugh. “Your secret is safe with me.”
It doesn’t take long for us to finish our breakfasts; both of us clean our plates completely.
“What areyourplans for today?” Abby asks when she sets her plate back down on the tray.
“Actually,” I say, an idea half forming in my brain. “There’s a high-stakes poker tournament on the island today, and after that, I’m not doing anything. Would you like to come with me to the tournament?”
Her eyes widen, and I immediately know I did the right thing. Her brown eyes fill with excitement, and her bosom heaves as a smile graces that pretty face.
“That sounds like fun, Carter. I’d love to see you in action.”