Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Even on his worst night of improv, he’d never let things get so out of control.
This isn’t stand-up, his inner heckler said from the bar stool next to him, savoring a double Jack on the rocks. And you should’ve ended the bit hours ago.
Again, his brain cycled back to the fact that he’d gained her trust.
And he’d let her believe a lie.
You didn’t know, his brain supplied. So helpful. You thought she was Kara. You thought you were just – what? Hanging out with a high net worth super star? That she was slumming it, just for kicks?
Yeah. For the first few hours, maybe. But after that?
He could’ve said something. Should’ve said something. And now – now she was nowhere to be found. Leaving his texts on read. Probably blocking him. Somewhere on this ship, alone. As much as a celebrity can ever be alone, but without a buffer.
The real Max, not here and having a medical crisis of his own. The other security guy, in the first aid bay, who couldn’t even sit up without retching? Not able to help.
Jonah fidgeted with his phone, hoping she would at least send a fuck off text. To let him know she was okay. It lit up in his hands, and he almost dropped it in his haste to read.
Not her. Eli. Answering his text from earlier…which felt like a lifetime ago.
Oh, and trust the signs from above.
Fuckin’ Eli. Cryptic as usual. Not helpful.
“Hey.”
Jonah looked up. Jay was leaning against the bar next to him, two beers in hand. He held one out.
“No thanks,” Jonah said automatically. He took the beer anyway, just to have something to do with his hands.
“This night has gone pretty sideways, in more ways than one. I don’t think a sip will matter.”
Jay usually waited until after the ship had docked and the pier had cleared out before he allowed himself to unwind. But now he tipped the amber bottle to his lips and took a long pull.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you before.”
“It’s okay. I deserved it.”
“Glad you were nearby when Nora went down. That was some scary shit, right?”
“She’s going to be okay.”
Jay clapped Jonah’s shoulder. “We’re all going to be okay, buddy.”
Jonah watched him go. Then slowly stood, sliding his hands into the pockets of his tux pants.
His fingers brushed against the photo strip he’d pocketed. She’d claimed the first one out of the machine, but he’d grabbed the second one on their way out of the booth.
Her real laugh – the one she didn’t give the cameras – was in the first frame. Her shoulder against his in the second, trying to look glam, while he accidently looked gentle.
And in the third, she wasn’t trying to look like Kara Koff at all.
Not the actress.
Not the persona.
Just…her. Tzipora. And her smile.
There was the smile she gave strangers.
Then the smile she gave him.