Love Overboard

Chapter 42

“THERE’S NO MORE SILVER ONES!” The woman with the broken mask wriggled her shoulders in front of the entryway table.

Emily threaded her fingers together so as not to smack the whining adult. “Choose from whatever’s left.”

“All the good ones are gone.” She held up her original mask. “I wanted one exactly like this but bigger.”

“We don’t always get what we want in life, dear.” Emily took the dangling piece of plastic and spun the lady to the table. “Pick or get over it. Those are your choices.”

The woman chose a leopard-print disguise and strapped it on. “What about this one? I love cats.”

“Perfect. Go enjoy the party.” Emily peered around the kitten.

An elevator bell dinged, and a car on the opposite wall opened. Althea’s singing filled the air. “Oh happy day.” She boogied out of the elevator.

Gerry stumbled behind her, bunching the train of her own evening dress, and Daisy floated at the end in a pantsuit trimmed in black lace.

“Where have you been?” Emily asked.

Gerry tugged at the bodice of her gown. “Sorry. I was having trouble with my zipper.”

“Normally, it’s me who can’t fit into my clothes.” Althea laughed. “It was nice to help someone else for a change.”

“Never mind that,” Emily said. “We’re at code red.”

Daisy tucked her black velvet clutch under her arm. “What do you mean?”

“Lacey found out the truth about Jon, and they had a skirmish.” Emily herded her friends to the lido deck’s entrance. “We have to fix this.”

Gerry hiked her skirt to her bony knees. “Where is Lacey now?”

“She sped past me a few minutes ago. She’s gone Elvis.”

“Gone what?” Althea’s head cocked to the side. “Is that more navy lingo?”

“It means she’s disappeared.”

“How did she—”

“Who told—”

“When did—”

The tardy Shippers tried to talk at once.

Emily held up both hands. “I don’t have time to explain. You can hear the details later. This calls for major damage control.”

She walked to the doors and scanned the sea of merrymakers. Jon remained in the same spot as before, unmoving. Why didn’t he follow Lacey?

“This way, girls.”

The Shippers advanced across the deck. Couples swirled on the dance floor. Live music blared from the band. A line of people exited the dessert tent with brimming plates. The ladies excused themselves as they broke through the ravenous passengers and planted themselves in front of Jon. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his face pointed at the floor.

“What are you waiting for, you idiot?” asked Emily. “Go after Lacey.”

Jon’s dazed stare met hers. “I wouldn’t even know what to say.”

“Saying anything is better than saying nothing.” Althea grabbed the sleeve of his tuxedo and pulled. “Trying is caring.”

Daisy took his other arm. “Women prefer a man of action, Jonathan.”

His solid frame didn’t move. “I should give her space.”

“Mm-hmm.” Gerry nodded at him. “Remember how well that worked the last time? She switched ships.”

Jon’s eyes widened.

All four women hollered in unison. “Go!”

He bolted in the direction Lacey had departed, the Shippers close on his heels.