But as exhausted as I was, I didn’t sleep a wink.
I stayed in the cabin the next day.
Kissing Joel on his way out the door, I settled into bed and grabbed my book, reading until I was sick of words on a page. Then, I turned on the television in our room, thankful that by Theo’s insistence of me staying on the yacht and thus us being in a stateroom, we had that luxury. I watched three movies in a row before I left the bed only long enough to get myself food. Then, I was right back in the cabin.
Joel didn’t question me — not when he came in to check on me just before dinner, and not when he asked if I wanted to join him and the rest of the crew below deck once they were off duty. He knew me better than anyone, and he didn’t need to hear me say it to understand that the day before had drained me — physically and mentally — and the only way to refill my tank was to be alone.
Blessedly, being in my cabin all day meant I escaped Theo’s guests for their second day onboard. Joel told me before he went below deck that they departed after dinner, and then we pulled away from the dock, away from Saint-Tropez, on our way to Nice.
I slept hard that night — which I was thankful for, since I didn’t sleep at all the night before — and I woke the next morning abruptly to the crew bustling around docking us once again. Joel had already gone from our room, and I wondered how he survived like that — working all day every day, drinking all night every night, and somehow waking up before the sun to do it all again.
When I finally peeled myself out of bed, there was a sheet of cream card stock neatly folded on the floor of our room, as if it had been slipped under the door.
Meet me on the main deck. 8 a.m. sharp. Bring your camera.
There was no name under the neatly scripted ink, but it was easy enough to determine who it was from. I sighed, wishing upon wishes that there wouldn’t be another group of people for me to cater to yet again. I had barely recovered from the first time, and still had visions I was trying to erase from my mind.
Still, it was part of the deal, part of my free ride.
I shook my head, wondering where I would be now, had I not taken Theo’s offer. I wouldn’t have had as cushy of a bed, that much was certain. And I likely wouldn’t have seen such stunning sights even in these first few days.
But at least I’d have been alone.
It was already seven forty-five, so I dressed quickly, grabbing my camera and bringing my small backpack with extra memory cards and lenses just in case. I found Theo lounging in one of the chairs by the bar, his ankle crossed over knee, The Wall Street Journal newspaper spread out between his hands and a tall glass of orange juice on the bar in front of him.
“Ah, good morning, Miss Dawn,” he said when I approached, folding the paper and setting it aside. He looked different from the other night, though he wore a navy suit and expensive dress shoes and had his hair styled just the same. Somehow, in the morning light, he seemed a little less intense and a little more boyish.
He smiled easily, folding his hands together in his lap, like the last time I’d seen him he hadn’t been mauled by two wolves disguised as French women.
“Morning,” I managed with a flat smile of my own.
“Were you ill yesterday?”
I almost laughed at the question, but the fact that he’d noticed I wasn’t around cut the sound short. “No, Mr. Whitman… er, Theo,” I corrected. “I just…” I swallowed, looking down at my camera before my eyes met his again. “Just needed a day to myself.”
The corner of his mouth crept up a bit. “That’s understandable. Well, are you feeling better today?”
Everything inside of me wanted to say no, but I plastered on another smile and nodded.
“Good. I was thinking you could come ashore with me. I have some business to tend to, but you could take the day to explore. Nice is beautiful,” he added, sweeping his hand toward the open side of the deck. “Much to see.”
My heart skipped in my chest. “Really?”
Theo smiled wider. “I told you I’d get you off this boat.”
The flat smile I’d given him was replaced by a real one, relief and excitement flooding my chest in equal measure. I did something of a little dance that I didn’t mean to do, but it made Theo laugh, and then he hopped up from his chair and grabbed the briefcase next to it. “Grab whatever you’ll need. I realize I didn’t tell you to bring your passport when I wrote that note.”
“I’ll be right back!” I was already hurrying back down the stairs before the words had fully left my lips. I dashed into our room long enough to stuff my wallet in my backpack, along with a cardigan just in case.
I didn’t have time to find Joel and tell him I was getting off the boat, but I told Ace, and he assured me he’d relay the message. Then, once I was back up top, Theo and I made our way down the ramp that connected the main deck to the dock.
“I was thinking we could have breakfast together, before my meeting and before you wander off on your own,” Theo said when we stepped off the ramp. “I know a great little place just a few blocks from here.”
I chewed my lip. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose…”
“You wouldn’t. I’m inviting you, after all. Besides, I’d like to see some of the photos you took
