16. Blue
blue
. . .
Ellie
That short boat ride was our last moment of peace. As soon as Cade and I stepped aboard The Valencia, we got caught up in a whirlwind.
Yacht workers took our bags—though I insisted on keeping Whiskey’s backpack—and we barely made it two steps onto the deck before a guy flew down the stairs and pulled Cade into a hug. “Bro!”
Cade stiffened at first, before some of the tension eased and he gave the guy a brotherly pat on the back.
“Handsy as ever, Harrison,” he said dryly.
“Good to see you, too. And this must be”—the guy pushed Cade aside, and his smile froze as soon as his widening eyes landed on me—“blue.”
Cade coughed into his fist while I laughed.
“Ellie, this is my brother, Harrison.” Cade made no move to stand closer to me or wrap an arm around my waist or look like we were together at all. “Harrison, meet Ellie.”
Harrison was basically a younger version of Cade—same dark hair, deep brown eyes, and striking looks. But compared to his brother, Harrison’s strong bone structure looked more like a clean-shaven baby face.
Honestly, he was adorable.
I stuck my hand out with a smile. “Hi. It’s awesome to finally meet you, Harrison.”
“Likewise.” He was a little slow to take my hand, but he shook it carefully—while still clearly struggling not to stare. “Wow. Your hair is actually blue. Like, really blue.”
My smile widened. “It was the bluest shade I could find.”
His mouth opened and closed, and a beat passed before he squinted. “… But why is it blue?”
“She dyed it for charity.” Cade jumped in smoothly before I could answer. “It’s not usually this color.”
I blinked, because that was a lie. But it did the trick to make Harrison’s shoulders relax.
“Charity? That’s really cool of you,” he said with a grin. He pointed between himself and Cade. “Our mother would kill us if we ever pulled something like that—even for charity—so I respect it.”
The inside of my wrist itched, but I went along with the lie. “Thanks, and I really appreciate you letting me join your trip on such late notice. Hope we didn’t cause too much trouble.”
“Are you kidding?” Harrison snorted. “I still can’t believe Cade’s been hiding you away from everyone. How long have you two even been a thing? Where’d you meet? Why did nobody tell me?”
I took a deep breath and braced myself to lie. “Well—”
Cade cleared his throat. “Why the rush, Harry? It wouldn’t hurt to show a little hospitality and offer us drinks before pestering Ellie with questions.”
“Yeah, yeah. Fine.” Harrison held his hands up, backing up with a soft laugh. He rubbed a hand over his hair. “There’s champagne waiting on the main deck. Everyone else is already up there, so let’s get settled before starting the interrogation. Come on.”
We followed him up a few flights of stairs to a large sundeck near the back of the yacht.
Stepping onto the deck felt like entering the set of a high-end magazine shoot.
A dozen comfy chairs and loungers were scattered across the space in separate clusters, with a daybed cabana sitting off to the side.
Sheer yellow drapes hung around the cabana, billowing in the light breeze.
I had to fight the urge to run straight over and jump on it. The pillows looked immaculately fluffed.
Fruit and finger foods covered a few tables with fancy gold tablecloths, and my stomach perked up even though I’d just eaten lunch.
There were five people already on the deck. Had Harrison really meant this was everyone? Only eight guests total on such a huge boat? I’d already seen at least double that number of workers.
Two men gathered at a bar on one side, while three women lounged on the comfy chairs. Their chic summer dresses immediately made me feel underdressed in my crop top and shorts—not to mention my dollar store sandals.
“Ellie!” A tall brunette jumped up from her chair and strutted over to us with a smile that reached her dark eyes. She pulled me into a quick, unexpected hug. “I’m Madison, Harry’s wife. It’s so great to meet you. Did you end up bringing your cat?”
“Oh, yeah. Whiskey’s in here.” I squeezed her back, then turned so they could see his astronaut backpack and looked over my shoulder. “He wouldn’t miss this.”
Madison clapped her hands with a squeal. “Oh my god, that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Harry, look!”
“I’m right here, Mads,” he said, rubbing his ear and eyeing the bubble window. “Very cool. And he doesn’t hate my brother?”
I pivoted back to face them, not sure how to answer that since I’d barely seen Cade and Whiskey interact. But in this fictional engagement world, we could assume they spent more time together. So, I fibbed. “Oh, they’re the best of friends.”
Harrison eyed his brother with raised brows. “That’s interesting. I thought you didn’t like cats?”
I looked to Cade, too, trying not to frown. That was news to me.
He smiled tightly. “Things change.”
Hmm, very interesting.
“I’m stealing Ellie for a minute, boys. Get yourselves some drinks at the bar and start relaxing,” Madison ordered, grabbing my arm. She pulled me toward the other women, and I took a deep breath while shuffling along beside her.
Time for another test.
“Girls, meet Cade’s secret fiancée, Ellie.” Madison gestured to me before pointing at another brunette more interested in the book on her lap than anything going on around her. “That’s my big sister, Piper. She’s married to that hunky Russian leaning against the bar.”
I glanced over at a big guy in a black suit with his elbow propped on the bar. He reminded me of the men always swarming around Sadie’s compound with his dark hair, aviators, and a gold chain around his neck.
Piper looked up from her book with a sigh. “Please don’t call Vlad hunky to his face. He’s already got a big enough ego.”
“Good point. Then the other one is Fletcher Montgomery.” Madison pointed to a guy my age who was laughing at something Harrison had said.
He looked like he’d been born on this yacht.
Preppy button-down shirt, a salmon sweater tied around his neck, and white shorts I’d be afraid to sit on anything with.
“He’s Harry’s friend from college and engaged to Candace here. ”
She motioned to the last woman—a tall blonde who sat with perfect posture and her knees crossed, with a wide-brim black hat that shielded her eyes. She wordlessly saluted me with her empty champagne flute.
A staff member immediately appeared and refilled her glass.
“And that’s it for introductions.” Madison turned to me with an eager gleam in her eyes that made me step back automatically. “On to more important matters. It took all my willpower not to badger you on the phone last night, but I need to see the ring.”
Right. The ring.
Drawing a deep breath, I stuck out my left hand and wiggled my fingers. “Ta-da. My engagement ring. The symbol of my and Cade’s love and commitment to each other.”
Okay, maybe I hadn’t needed to add that last part.
She grabbed my hand and pulled it closer, whistling appreciatively. “That cut is so elegant. You have incredible taste.”
“Oh, I had nothing to do with it,” I quickly clarified, not wanting to take any unearned credit. “Cade picked it out.”
All three of them stared, until Madison’s sister hummed. She leaned in, taking a closer look at the diamond. “Who would’ve guessed Cade knew anything about jewelry?”
“Well, he did a great job. It’s gorgeous.” Madison straightened back up and let my hand drop. “Who did he commission to design it?”
I shrugged and toyed with the ring. “I don’t know. I think he just bought it at the store?”
They all broke into laughter.
“You’re adorable.” Madison’s lips twitched. “Men in our circles don’t shop at jewelry stores for engagement rings. That’d be a tragedy. They have designers on speed dial, and whoever Cade hired did some breathtaking custom work on that band.”
I peered closer at the band for the first time, admiring it. The gold had an intricate pattern with small swirls and details. It really was beautiful. But no way could it have been made that quickly.
“Did you mean to say clueless, Maddie?” Candace asked, tilting her head back just enough for me to see a sharp glint in her eyes. “There’s nothing adorable about ignorance. Do you even know who designed your outfit?”
There was an edge to her question, and apparently Madison didn’t miss it either because she cleared her throat.
“Let’s play nice, ladies,” Madison warned lightly, before leaning closer to me and lowering her voice. “Candace works in fashion. She has some strong opinions.”
Well, that was one way to put it. I would’ve personally chosen to call it catty.
But I had a role to play, and I imagined Cade’s fiancée would be pretty confident to be with a guy like him. So, I adjusted the hem of my crocheted top and mustered up my best smile. “Um, I actually made this top myself.”
Candace’s brows lifted. “That explains a lot.”
“Candace,” Madison hissed in warning.
The other woman shrugged innocently and sipped her champagne, looking away.
I laughed a little too loudly to shake off the growing awkwardness. My mouth suddenly felt dry. “I heard there was champagne…?”
“Yes, of course.” Madison signaled a server, and I had a full champagne flute in my hand by the time the guys crossed the deck to join us. Cade came to stand next to me, looking comfortable as could be with a glass of amber liquor in one hand and his other resting in his pocket.
When he sent me a questioning look, I answered with an attempt at a reassuring smile. But I was a little more concerned than before we boarded the yacht.
If Candace’s attitude was anything to go by, this might not be the easy week of drinking champagne and soaking up the sun that I’d been promised.
Madison made quick introductions before zeroing in on Cade and me. “Okay, we need all the details. How did you two meet?”
He opened his mouth, but I beat him to it. “Through my work.”