Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,16

the corner. I gave her a kitten for her thirteenth birthday. Most of her energy is focused on him, so I guess I’m lucky.” Briefly, Anna wondered how Mr. Waffles was adapting to vacation life.

“Renée is allergic to cats,” Ryan said.

“I’m sorry” was all she could think to say though she knew it was a fairly common allergy.

“She did have a bird once. A parakeet she called Mrs. Peck. Poor bird died after three weeks. She’s never wanted an animal since.”

Donal returned with their ginger ale and two small menus. “Whenever you’re ready,” he said, then left them alone.

“That’s too bad,” Anna continued. “Poor girl. We’ve always had animals, though this is the first animal that she has complete responsibility for. So far, it’s been good for her. I imagine that when school starts, we’ll have to make an adjustment.”

“How so?” Ryan asked.

Anna did her best to keep from stating the obvious without appearing rude. “I’ll have to take care of Mr. Waffles while she’s at school,” she explained. “It’s no problem since I work from home.”

“You work from home? I thought The Simple Life was recorded in a studio?”

She smiled. “Lucky for me, I have a studio at home.” She thought all her fans knew this. “The best of both worlds. It can get hectic at times, trying to balance work and home, but it’s working, and I’m sure it will continue for as long as I need it to.” Hearing her stomach growl, she took a sip of ginger ale, somehow managing to knock her flatware onto the floor. She bent down to retrieve it, knowing Donal would provide another set. “I think we should order now. I don’t know about you, but I’m famished.”

Ryan tossed his head back, laughing. “No one is famished on a cruise,” he said. He felt around for something in his shirt pocket, yet Anna saw nothing in his hand. Maybe a former smoker, feeling for a pack of cigarettes in his pocket.

She couldn’t help but laugh. Mandy told her she’d probably gain five pounds on this cruise. So far, she had only eaten the eggs and avocados and a couple of bites of fruit. He didn’t need to know that. “I’m afraid I spent my time on the balcony, relaxing and drinking coffee from that super fancy espresso machine in my cabin.”

“You’re staying in one of those rooms?”

Anna was sure she heard a note of criticism in his voice. “Lucky me,” she replied again.

“I guess so,” he replied. “I’m on a lower deck.” He stopped as if considering his next words. “I was told there wasn’t anything available on the upper deck, though I admit this was a last-minute trip. A birthday gift from my coworkers.”

“Nice gift, and happy birthday,” she said, then took a sip of her ginger ale. “My cabin is more like an apartment. Really more space than one person needs, but it’s there, and I’ll just rotate the bedrooms at night.” She chuckled. “Keep my cabin stewards on their toes with all the bed changes.”

“Maybe you’ll show it to me sometime,” he said.

Anna felt her cheeks flush, her heart quickening. Unsure what to say, again, she took her mother’s advice again and said nothing.

He stared at her, his royal blue eyes darkening as he held her gaze. “I’ve done it again,” he said, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “It’s been a very long while since I’ve done . . . this.” He placed a hand on his chest, then held it out in her direction. “I’ll leave you alone, now.”

When he pushed out his chair, preparing to leave, Anna spoke, “No, don’t. I understand what you’re trying to say. I’m in the same boat.” She shook her head. “Not sure if that pun was intended, but don’t leave. Stay. Have dinner with me,” she added, hoping she didn’t sound desperate. She didn’t want to be alone then. She suddenly didn’t feel well but kept quiet.

“If I put my foot in my mouth again, please give me a good kick under the table. As I said, it’s been a while.”

Part of her liked the fact he hadn’t been on the dating scene, had been busy caring for his children instead. Without knowing the circumstances in which he became a single parent, from her own experience, it wasn’t easy being both mother and father. This was why they had singles cruises—it wasn’t easy to put oneself out there, especially when you’re a certain age. “It’s fine,” she said.

Once again, Donal returned