to feel like a team.” Paige tossed her notebook on the table. “I have a headache. I’m going to head to my cabin and find an ibuprofen.”
As soon Paige left, the rest of the team’s attention scattered, and there was a zero percent chance Danae would manage to get it back. Since she wanted to maintain at least a semblance of control, she lowered her own notebook. “As Vanessa said, we’ll be docking shortly, so we might as well break and prepare for our tour of the lighthouse.”
Mark headed upstairs to the deck, and Franco scooted over, giving the three of them who were left more room. “Don’t get me wrong, I think Paige likes saying the word fiancé a little too much, but I miss Justin, too. And my dogs.”
Danae patted his arm. “They’ll be there waiting for you when we return to Newport, and I bet Jack is going to slobber over every inch of you to show how much he missed you. Rose as well.”
Franco wrinkled his nose. “Thank you for the visual. That makes it easier to wait.”
“Liar,” she said with a laugh, and he chuckled.
“Fine. I’m going to FaceTime all three of them when we get a chance to sit on the sandy shore. Is that what you want to hear?”
Danae flashed him a grin. “Say hi to everyone for me.”
Franco climbed out from behind the table, stood, and stretched. “Guess I’ll go grab my bag.” At least he seemed less hurt about the team’s reception of the beta version of the website, although she suspected he’d buried his feelings down deep.
A pang went through her as she thought about how hard it must’ve been for him to show off a project he’d been so excited about, only for everyone to pick it apart. He hadn’t even gotten to go home and get away from those people for a night, either. Part of her new job was to give critical feedback, but the fact that Franco was her closest friend in the office made it that much harder.
Mark didn’t have any qualms voicing his regular disapproval, and then there were Vanessa and Paige. So far, they were squabbling more than ever, unable to agree on even what their departments were responsible for, much less an overall marketing plan.
A pit formed in the center of Danae’s stomach. I’m totally failing at bringing the team together.
Vanessa loudly sighed and propped her sandaled feet on the part of the bench kitty-corner to her. “I swear, Paige is getting on my last nerve. She won’t let me take the lead on anything, but she’s also too busy talking about her fiancé to focus. As if that’s not frustrating enough, she doesn’t even realize how good she has it. I’ve worked for a lot of people, and Mr. Barton is the best boss I’ve ever had.”
Being in the middle while trying to be respectful and encouraging to both people was always a tricky position, one Danae didn’t feel that she had a handle on. “He is a great boss, and I’m sure Paige realizes she’s lucky. Or at least she would if she took a moment to think about it. She’s also in that exciting phase of love when it’s hard to think of anything else. Honestly, I’m a little jealous. I’ve never hit that level in any of my relationships.”
“That’s because you’re a strong, independent woman,” Vanessa said.
“As are you. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you and I have also had a few more years to get there.”
Vanessa closed her eyes and exhaled a long breath. “The idea of going back to my mid-twenties is literally the stuff of nightmares, so I hear you. But I’ll still be glad to get off this ship and put some extra space between us.”
Looked like as far as the Paige and Vanessa situation was concerned, Danae would be heading back to the drawing board.
The afternoon sun cast a golden sheen on Danae’s curls and highlighted her cheeks when she smiled.
She’d been smiling a lot today. Josh was semi-tempted to ask if she’d put “smile more” in her planner, but she didn’t always understand his jokes and he wanted the happy vibes to continue.
He was so focused on Danae that he nearly ran into Vanessa, who’d stopped without warning. She lifted her phone and swiped through several filters as she snapped pictures of the reddish-orange brick house and adjoining lighthouse. The A-frame part of the building had three floors, and