here, Otto.” He tapped the captain on the shoulder. “This is something of an emergency, as you can see. A singer who can’t drive a yacht! I’ve never heard of such madness.” Forrest took the wheel and Otto walked down the steps to the lower deck, leaving them alone. “Now, are you ready for your lesson?”
Gloria tried not to sigh. There Forrest was, off on another lark again. Yes, he was charming, but Forrest couldn’t seem to talk about anything serious for longer than a few seconds. Though, really, he’d told her where his money came from—he’d inherited it. Why did Hank think any different?
She didn’t want to spoil Forrest’s good mood by asking about his father. Best to play along and hope he let something else about his past slip. As long as things didn’t progress beyond flirtation, Jerome would understand.
Or at least, she hoped he would understand.
Gloria pasted on a smile. “Okay, what do I do?”
“Get in front of me, quick. We can’t have an unmanned ship for even a moment. I don’t think Glamour would forgive us if we swerved and made her trip over those mile-high heels of hers.”
Gloria chuckled and stepped in front of Forrest, awkwardly placing her hands on the steering wheel. The wood was smooth under her hands. She took a sharp breath when Forrest put his arms on either side of hers, latching his hands onto the wheel as well. The warmth of his breath on her neck mixed with the cool early-evening air, giving her chills.
“Now we just want to make a slight left here, nice and easy,” he said softly.
She tried to keep calm as Forrest continued to give her instructions and critique her steering. But it wasn’t a real lesson—Forrest was clearly just inventing an excuse to be close to her. Gloria had no idea where his sudden amorousness had come from. Had he finally given up on Ruby as a lost cause? Even if he had, Forrest knew about Jerome. Did he think things were over between Jerome and Gloria, simply because she hadn’t heard from him in a while?
And what about Jerome—what would he think if he could see her now?
Gloria looked down at the others on the foredeck. Glitz and Glamour lay on their stomachs in the bathing suits they’d worn beneath their dresses, attempting to further deepen their already perfect tans. Ruby was still reading and Marty was still asleep beside her. If any of Forrest’s guests looked up, they’d be able to see Gloria and Forrest perfectly.
They would even be able to see how Forrest’s arms were looped around Gloria’s.
It was hardly fair: Forrest could touch Gloria in public and no one cared. But every time Gloria had been out with Jerome, they had to remember not to hold hands or even let their gazes linger on each other for a beat too long. Every second they spoke to each other in public was a second they had to censor themselves for fear of inviting unwanted attention—simply because of the colors of their skin.
Gloria sighed and leaned back a little against Forrest. He wasn’t even pretending to teach her anything now—he was content to steer on his own with his arms around her. Was there any way it could ever be like this between her and Jerome? Free and easy, without dozens of angry, narrowed eyes glued to them wherever they went? Maybe if they lived somewhere in Europe. But how would they ever get there?
“I’m not going to learn much if you just steer the boat for me.” Gloria needed to get out of the circle of Forrest’s arms. She felt too guilty.
“Fair enough.” Forrest beckoned for Otto to return to his post. When he did, Gloria slipped away, and Forrest followed her. “Good job,” he said as they climbed back down the stairs to the main deck. “Now if you want to steal the yacht for a late-night ride on your own, you’ll be prepared.”
Gloria led the way back to the foredeck. “Steal your yacht? You really think I’m capable of that?”
Forrest grabbed Gloria’s hand, pulling her to him. “I think you, Gloria Carmody, are capable of anything.” He gave a quick glance behind Gloria toward the foredeck. Then he moved still closer to her and tilted his face toward hers.
Gloria stiffened. She hadn’t meant to lead Forrest on, certainly not to the extent that he thought he could kiss her. She’d just been trying to get more information. How could she