she did,” Helena said.
“Although she didn’t have anything to do with the reason I called you, I have to say I do support her efforts,” Katherine added. “The excursion to Kefalonia was one of the most popular on this itinerary. I’m not here to push you to sign, but I would be very happy if you did.”
What she said made sense. Hoping he wasn’t making a big mistake, Theo decided to go with his gut and believe her. “But one thing still isn’t clear to me. Why, after so many years, did you call me in the first place?”
“We’d actually thought about doing it for”
“Ma’am.” The man in the dark suit stepped forward. “I’m sorry for interrupting but the captain has announced that all guests need to be back onshore.”
Theo glanced at his watch, surprised the evening had gone by so quickly. When Katherine had set up this dinner, he’d thought about the excuses he could give if the time grew long or the meeting became tense and awkward.
Surprisingly he found himself wishing for more time. He’d enjoyed the company of his half sisters far more than he’d imagined.
“The time has gone so fast.” Helena leaned forward and placed her hand over his, her eyes intense. “I’m sorry it has to end just when we’re starting to get to know each other.”
“I wish we had more time, too,” Theo said, surprised to find he actually meant it. “Especially since it’s impossible to know when I’ll see you both again.”
“Then don’t,” Katherine said.
Theo raised a brow. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t go. Stay on board for the rest of the cruise. We dock in Barcelona in five days,” Katherine said. “Consider it a well-deserved holiday.”
Theo shook his head. “I’ve got too much to do to simply take off now. Summer is a busy time.”
“It’s only five days,” Katherine said. “And if you’re concerned that you’ll be stuck with us 24-7, don’t be. While I want to spend as much time with you as possible, this is a working vacation for me. I have a new PR campaign to sort out, and since Charles is away on businessoh, let’s be honest. I missed Gemma and wanted to spend some time with her.”
“And I’m finishing up some work for a London stage production that will open in the fall.” Helena cast a teasing glance at her sister. “Katherine convinced me I could be as creative on the ship as back in my flat, and with fewer distractions.”
Katherine looked directly at him. “Now that we’ve found you, Theo, we don’t want to let you go.”
A rush of emotion washed over Theo at the simple words. As much as he wanted to believe them, they were, he reminded himself, merely words. And as relatively painless as the meeting had been, he had a company to run. Unlike Katherine and Helena, he didn’t have the luxury of changing his schedule on a whim.
No, if and when he saw the two women again, it would be on his terms. And his own time.
CHAPTER SIX
T RISH FINISHED OFF the cheesecake that had been waiting for her and realized she couldn’t say if it was scrumptious, horrible, or somewhere in between.
When she’d returned to the table, she’d eaten the dessert automatically, thankful Sally and their fellow diners had been in the middle of a full-blown discussion of the upcoming college football season. She sipped coffee and listened, relieved not to be subjected to any questions about her departure.
She braced herself when the conversation started to peter out, but then the others at the table decided to go to the disco.
It seemed the perfect solution. After all, it was too early to go back to the cabin, and this way Sally could dance and she could strategize. She’d make that deal with Theo…even if she had to get off at the next port and hop on a plane back to Corfu. Perhaps three confrontationsmake that meetingswould be the charm.
Once they got to the club, the dentist Sally had been flirting with all evening asked her to dance. That left
“Although she didn’t have anything to do with the reason I called you, I have to say I do support her efforts,” Katherine added. “The excursion to Kefalonia was one of the most popular on this itinerary. I’m not here to push you to sign, but I would be very happy if you did.”
What she said made sense. Hoping he wasn’t making a big mistake, Theo decided to go with his gut and believe her. “But one thing still isn’t clear to me. Why, after so many years, did you call me in the first place?”
“We’d actually thought about doing it for”
“Ma’am.” The man in the dark suit stepped forward. “I’m sorry for interrupting but the captain has announced that all guests need to be back onshore.”
Theo glanced at his watch, surprised the evening had gone by so quickly. When Katherine had set up this dinner, he’d thought about the excuses he could give if the time grew long or the meeting became tense and awkward.
Surprisingly he found himself wishing for more time. He’d enjoyed the company of his half sisters far more than he’d imagined.
“The time has gone so fast.” Helena leaned forward and placed her hand over his, her eyes intense. “I’m sorry it has to end just when we’re starting to get to know each other.”
“I wish we had more time, too,” Theo said, surprised to find he actually meant it. “Especially since it’s impossible to know when I’ll see you both again.”
“Then don’t,” Katherine said.
Theo raised a brow. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t go. Stay on board for the rest of the cruise. We dock in Barcelona in five days,” Katherine said. “Consider it a well-deserved holiday.”
Theo shook his head. “I’ve got too much to do to simply take off now. Summer is a busy time.”
“It’s only five days,” Katherine said. “And if you’re concerned that you’ll be stuck with us 24-7, don’t be. While I want to spend as much time with you as possible, this is a working vacation for me. I have a new PR campaign to sort out, and since Charles is away on businessoh, let’s be honest. I missed Gemma and wanted to spend some time with her.”
“And I’m finishing up some work for a London stage production that will open in the fall.” Helena cast a teasing glance at her sister. “Katherine convinced me I could be as creative on the ship as back in my flat, and with fewer distractions.”
Katherine looked directly at him. “Now that we’ve found you, Theo, we don’t want to let you go.”
A rush of emotion washed over Theo at the simple words. As much as he wanted to believe them, they were, he reminded himself, merely words. And as relatively painless as the meeting had been, he had a company to run. Unlike Katherine and Helena, he didn’t have the luxury of changing his schedule on a whim.
No, if and when he saw the two women again, it would be on his terms. And his own time.
CHAPTER SIX
T RISH FINISHED OFF the cheesecake that had been waiting for her and realized she couldn’t say if it was scrumptious, horrible, or somewhere in between.
When she’d returned to the table, she’d eaten the dessert automatically, thankful Sally and their fellow diners had been in the middle of a full-blown discussion of the upcoming college football season. She sipped coffee and listened, relieved not to be subjected to any questions about her departure.
She braced herself when the conversation started to peter out, but then the others at the table decided to go to the disco.
It seemed the perfect solution. After all, it was too early to go back to the cabin, and this way Sally could dance and she could strategize. She’d make that deal with Theo…even if she had to get off at the next port and hop on a plane back to Corfu. Perhaps three confrontationsmake that meetingswould be the charm.
Once they got to the club, the dentist Sally had been flirting with all evening asked her to dance. That left
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