Shipped(14)

“Wouldn’t I?” His smile is tight and unreadable. “See you in the Galápagos.”

“See you in hell.”

He tips his head back and laughs. After a ripple of movement across the screen, the call ends. I blink. He hung up on me. He hung up on me? “That asshole,” I mutter. Ripping my earbuds from my ears, I shove them into my purse.

My heartbeat thunders and my chest rises and falls like a ship pitching on the waves in a storm. That did not go at all the way I planned.



* * *



After a quick detour to the bathroom, I return to our table. The cold water I’ve splashed on my face has done nothing to cool the fire burning in my veins and the heat in my cheeks.

“I just Venmoed you twenty bucks, but let me know if you need more for the food—hey, are you okay?” Christina puts her phone down to peer at me as I sit with a plop.

“I’m fine.”

“She’s upset over Graeme,” says Walsh through a mouthful of nachos. “Did you tell him off?”

“Hold up, what’s going on with Graeme?” demands Christina. “I mean, besides the usual bickering.”

Time to spill the beans. “We had a meeting with James today, and it turns out we’re both up for the new digital marketing director role.”

“You are?” Tory blurts at the same time Christina squawks, “Henley! Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I just found out not even two hours ago. I was going to tell you, but then I didn’t want to steal your thunder.” I motion toward Tory and Michelle. “Babies beat promotions.”

Tory clucks. “What did James say? What are your next steps?”

I suck in a deep breath. “Well, he’s sending me and Graeme on a cruise to the Galápagos in two weeks as part of the selection process. He wants us to come up with a plan for how to boost sales in the region, and, guys, I need to kill it. I have to come up with the best marketing idea in Seaquest Adventures history. I don’t want there to be even the slightest chance of Graeme getting this promotion over me. And you know how much James loves Graeme,” I add darkly.

Tory hisses in a breath through her teeth. “He really does,” she says to Michelle, who inclines her chin sympathetically.

“I know what would help,” Walsh chimes in. “Moral support. From me, on the cruise. It’s practically my sisterly duty.” Her tone is light, but there’s an edge to it I can’t miss.

Tory and Michelle chuckle, but Christina’s eyes pop and she holds up both hands, palms out. “Hold up. Brain wave. What if Walsh did go on the cruise with you?”

I roll my eyes. “Get serious.”

“No, listen, you know how James is always going on about capturing more of the young adult market. Well, what if you brought your own Gen Z along? Someone who’s an outsider you can tap for honest feedback to help you brainstorm. She could be your secret weapon.”

Walsh scoots forward in her seat, eyes sparkling.

“The trip is too expensive…” I begin, but Christina chimes in, brows furrowed.

“Even with the employee family discount?”

I wince at the sharp look Walsh shoots me. “Family discount? Um, how come you never mentioned that?”

“Even if we split a cabin, you’d still have to pay for food and flights. It’d probably cost fifteen hundred dollars, maybe a couple grand.”

Jaw set, Walsh pulls a long gold necklace out from beneath the neckline of her shirt. A fat pearl winks at the end. “I could sell this.”

“Where did you get that?” I ask.

“Keith gave it to me and I don’t want it. It’s real though. I bet I could get over five hundred bucks for it.”

“Okay, that’s enough to cover food, but what about flights?”

Walsh spreads her arms wide. “Airline miles, baby.”

I open my mouth to protest, but she reaches across the table and grips both my hands in hers. “Please, Hennie. I need this. Do you ever feel like you just need to step away from your life so you can see it more clearly? I need time to think, to disconnect. And I’ll be a great sounding board for ideas on the cruise, I promise.”

I turn the idea over, kneading it like dough.

Walsh isn’t exactly the most reliable when it comes to making promises; she’s flakier than a Hot Pocket. Looking for a life-of-the-party, one-person fun machine to go to Vegas for the weekend? Walsh is your girl. Need a ride to the accountant’s office to file your tax returns? She’ll show up, but a half hour late and out of gas.

Pinpricks of resentment needle my spine. Of course, Walsh is making this about her. This is my chance, my opportunity. I squeeze my bottom lip between my teeth.

But then… what if Christina is right? What if this is exactly the sort of approach that would impress James? I want this promotion so badly my toes curl. I need to pull out all the stops, do anything I can to get a leg up on Graeme. Maybe bringing Walsh along will give me an edge. It would sure show James I’m proactive, creative in obtaining solutions, and willing to think outside the box…

Walsh blinks up at me with round, guileless eyes.

I blow out a long breath. “Okay.”

“Okay? I can come?”

“Yes.” The word settles in the space between us like an anchor dropping.