Another Chance (Seven Days to Fall in Love #3) Read online

  JC Anderson

  Another Chance

  Copyright © 2021 by JC Anderson

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  JC Anderson asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

  First edition

  Narration by Tamires

  This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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  Contents

  1 - This Will Be Fun, Right?

  2 - To New Beginnings

  3 - He’s Mine

  4 - It’s You

  5 - You Can’t Get Away From Me

  6 - More Than Expected

  7 - What’s Going On

  8 - I Need To Come Clean…But

  9 - If It’s Too Good To Be True

  10 - Meant To Be

  Other novellas in the series…

  About the Author

  Also by JC Anderson

  1 - This Will Be Fun, Right?

  “Eeeewwww!!”

  A loud squeal could be heard across the busy Athens, Greece port, and maybe outside of it, as well. Sarah Gains lifted her head and saw her best friends in the world walking towards her. As if her lime green maxi dress clinging to her curvy body didn’t bring enough attention, Sandra Patell’s loud voice carried, turning every head in her direction. MaryAnn Silver’s exaggerated eye roll matched Sarah’s annoyance. MaryAnn and Sarah both hated Sandra’s boisterous personality at times but loved that she wasn’t afraid to be herself.

  Sarah waved from the corner, where she’d parked her two suitcases and Guess pack back. She’d overpacked. It was hard to prepare for every situation and every potential situation that could happen within a week on a cruise. Both of her suitcases were just below the fifty-pound weight limit. At least she didn’t have to spend extra money to check her bags on her flight from New York. MaryAnn and Sandra weaved and bobbed through the crowd, headed in her direction. Sarah stepped into MaryAnn’s open arms, the hug conveying gratitude for seeing her friend after so long. Yet, grief also lingered.

  “Hey, girl. How are you?” MaryAnn asked, concern wrinkling her perfectly arched eyebrows.

  “I’m good. Really.” Sarah quickly added when MaryAnn’s stern looked told her she didn’t believe it.

  “Well, if you ain’t all right, this trip will make it all better, honey,” Sandra excitedly interjected. “Athens! Mykonos! Patmos. We gonna’ clear them cobwebs this week.” Sandra’s glee was infectious, and Sarah could only laugh even as she responded,

  “I ain’t thinking about being with no man. All I need is time with my girls.”

  She pulled Sandra into a half hug as the woman danced to the music playing in her head.

  “You can do what you want. But I’m open to all experiences, even if it’s a one-week stand. I intend to get laid on this trip or my name ain’t Sandra.”

  MaryAnn laughed as she quietly commanded Sandra to keep her voice down.

  “Well, Sandra has a point, Sarah. This week is going to be fun. All expense-paid cruise, all-you-can-eat buffets and drinks, alcohol included. Shows, lazy river pool, clubs. We can do whatever you want.”

  “I know. I know. This is going to be a blast. I’m not going to think about you know who.”

  “Shoul’ ain’t. Once I find someone to knock your back out, you won’t even remember that asswipes’ name.”

  “Come on, Sandra. I already told you I’m not looking to have sex with some random stranger.”

  “You know what they say, Sarah. The best way to get over one man is to get under another one with a much bigger package.”

  “Umm, I remember the first part of that saying. Not the part about the bigger package.”

  “Oh, that part is a Sandra original,” Sandra laughed, tickling herself with her crude humor.

  “Now boarding passengers on the Norwegian Cruise Line.”

  “That’s us,” MaryAnn crooned, her excitement showing through her wide smile.

  Sandra and MaryAnn grabbed their single suitcases and watched as Sarah struggled with her two.

  “Did you bring the whole house, Sarah? Damn,” Sandra said, aggravated by Sarah’s overpacking.

  “No. I just didn’t know what to bring. It’s not like I can run to Walmart if I forgot something,” Sarah defended herself.

  “You’re fine. Do you need help?” MaryAnn said, ever the harmony in the discord between Sarah and Sandra.

  “I got it. I just need to attach them, just so,” Sarah said as she stacked the cases and interlocked the handles so that she could pull both with the handle of the bottom suitcase. Then, she swung her backpack over her shoulder

  “Ready,” she exclaimed, smiling at her ingenuity.

  They fell into line behind the other passengers waiting to board. It wasn’t until Sarah saw the couple in front of them holding the thin boarding pass that she thought of her own.

  “Shoot. I forgot to take my boarding pass out.”

  Letting go of the stacked suitcases, Sarah swung her backpack down to look for her pass. Exasperated after searching for a few minutes, she said, “It was right here. I know I put it in here.”

  “If you make us miss this cruise because of your absentmindedness. I swear to God…” Sandra mumbled, as Sarah dumped the contents of her backpack on the floor.

  “That’s not helpful, Sandra. Let’s help her,” MaryAnn said as she kneeled to pick through the items scattered abroad. Sandra stood to the side, embarrassed by the display, her arms crossed rather than extended to help her friend.

  “Here it is.” Sarah pulled the crumpled pass from her journal and fanned it in Sandra’s direction.

  “What did you do? Wash with it? Why is it all balled up like that?”

  Sarah blushed, and defensively said, “ Freak accident,” refusing to explain that she’d been having a pity party while bathing.

  Wine and the boarding pass were her companions as she sobbed in the tub over the state of her life. It slipped from her hand into the tub as her drunken and sore eyes re-read the boarding information for the umpteenth time that night. She was able to pull it swiftly from the water without much damage. Except then she kicked over her wine glass while getting out of the tub, directly onto the drying boarding pass that lay on the floor next to the tub. Luckily, it was a white wine and not red. Putting it between the cloth pages of her journal was the only way to get it minimally straightened.

  Just after repacking her backpack, and standing to resume her position in line, she was knocked forward. The force lurched her into her suitcases, knocking her contraption loose and spilling her luggage onto the floor. One stayed closed, the other spilled open, lingerie and summer dresses decorating the dirty port floor.

  “Really?!” She excla
imed, the small setbacks causing her to regret agreeing to the girl’s week.

  “Sorry. I’m so sorry,” a deep, baritone voice mumbled to her back, as Sarah grabbed for the unmentionables floating slowly in the air.

  Had it not been for pure mortification she felt, she’d laugh at the silky nightgown sailing on the breeze off of the water.

  “I’m in a rush. I’m so sorry,” the man called as Sarah turned to glare at his retreating back.

  “Asshole,” Sandra called out her favorite name-calling expletive.

  Sarah took deep breaths, trying not to call a halt to this already botched vacation. She gathered her clothes, shaking the dust and dirt from each dress, and folded them into her suitcase as Sandra stood idly by and MaryAnn attempted to soothe her frayed nerves. Once she re-packed her bag, she sighed and said,

  “Let’s go,” hoping the trip would get better.

  2 - To New Beginnings

  The room looked the same. A king-sized bed covered in a pristine white coverlet majestically sat in the middle of the room. Two nightstands sat on either side of the bed, and a small, circular table with two chairs was placed under the window. A leather recliner, worn from years of use, sat alone in the corner. The view reminded him of years past, even the smell of the ocean stirred memories. Charles Whittle stood in his outer suite, staring into the blue abyss just outside of the open circular portal before him. The breeze caressed his face, and he smiled as he remembered how much she enjoyed simple things like a sweet, blowing wind.

  Turning throughout his room, he felt nervous, unsettled. She always had the itinerary planned, the events scheduled, mealtimes memorized. He rarely had to do more than tag along and keep up. He quickly unpacked his bag, thinking it best to do so. Shorts and polo shirts were his go-to outfits. A thick gold band hanging from a gold filigree necklace caught the gleam of the sunlight. He grabbed it and kissed it before carefully laying it on his dresser, thinking of his plans once the trip was over.

  After unpacking, he sat down, sadness seeping into his heart as it often did with a stretch of idle time.

  “I gotta get out of this room,” Charles spoke to the weary reflection against the glass bathroom door.

  Hurrying as if his suite was on fire, he walked down the long hall to the elevator. Sleek, steel elevators, the core of the ship, took the rider to their heart’s desire. The first floor, wrap-around deck, and balcony to enjoy the ocean view. Second floor, casino, spa, dining, and entertainment hall. Top floor, swimming pools, and deck games. Clubs, free drinks, half-naked women and men, and all the kindness and hospitality one could stand. She’d loved it all. It wasn’t Charles’ thing, but being there made him feel close to her. He found himself on the second floor, sitting at one of the many bars.

  “What can I get you, sir?” The young bartender asked. He barely looked old enough to serve drinks.

  “A rum and coke sounds good.”

  “Coming right up.”

  The young bartender grabbed a tumbler from the shiny marble shelf behind him. Then grabbed the twenty-four-ounce bottle of Captain Morgan’s rum and a can of coke from the small refrigerator just below the bar’s counter. Gracefully, he moved around the bar. Fixing a drink wasn’t a complex activity, requiring more memory than skill. Still, watching the young man was quite entertaining. Smoothly, he flipped the can of coke in the air, caught it, and opened it fast enough that the fizz poured directly into the tumbler. It looked like a soda volcano exploding across the bottom of the crystal glass. While the soda settled, he poured an ounce of rum into the measuring cup, then into the glass. Looking up, he asked,

  “Ice?”

  “Yes, please,” Charles said before tossing a few peanuts into his mouth.

  The first sip of the drink was much more phenomenal than Charles expected. Hard liquor burned a trail down his chest, and the sweet fizz of the coke exploded in his mouth. The kid was good.

  “Thank you. It’s perfect.” Charles complimented the bartender in between small sips.

  “You’re welcome. Let me know if I can get you another,” the bartender said before walking away.

  “He doesn’t look old enough to be behind that counter.”

  Shifting on his stool, Charles turned towards the sultry voice behind him. An attractive woman stood just to his left. Shoulder-length hair hung past her shoulders in soft waves, and her makeup was flawless, although heavily applied. She wore a bright orange jumper covered in black and white flowers. Cute, but loud.

  “Is this seat taken?” She crooned as she sat beside him and scooted the chair closer to him before waiting for an answer.

  He laughed at the woman’s brazen behavior but was grateful for the company. Hundreds of people walked the ship, but somehow, this bar was empty besides himself and the bartender. Now, the flirtatious woman next to him.

  “What are you drinking?” She asked as she laid her beach bag on the bar’s countertop.

  “Rum and coke. Damn good.” He took another small sip, savoring the mixture of bitter and sweet.

  “Sounds good. May I have what he’s having?” She said to the bartender, who already stood before her, awaiting her request.

  “Absolutely. Rum and coke for the lovely lady.”

  The bartender once again launched into his show, and Charles watched as if it was new to him. It was captivating. Or maybe it had been too long since Charles allowed himself some minor enjoyment. The bartender placed the woman’s drink in front of her, adding a small umbrella with a cherry attached.

  “I didn’t get an umbrella and cherry.” Charles teased.

  The bartender smiled and said, “For the ladies only, my man.”

  He chuckled as the woman said, “Don’t be jealous,” then took her first sip.

  “Um. That is good, isn’t it?”

  Charles only nodded, surprised at his body’s reaction to the woman’s delightful moan. It had been a while. Almost two years since he’d touched a woman and caused that sound to escape her lips. Strangely, it disappointed Charles that he hadn’t been the one to invoke that sound from her. He shook his head, clearing the ridiculous and slightly desperate thoughts from his mind.

  “My name is Sandra,” she said as she held her hand forward.

  “Charles. Nice to meet you, Sandra.” Charles reached forward and shook her outstretched hand.

  “Come here often?” she said, then laughed at her corniness. “Sorry. I haven’t done this in a while.”

  “Done what?” He asked although he knew the answer.

  “Tried to pick up a man in a bar.”

  Charles watched her twirl the umbrella around her tongue as she chewed and swallowed the cherry topping. Her forwardness was a little off-putting. Years out of the game hadn’t changed his preference to be the one doing the pursuing. Maybe loneliness had made him a prude. Still, he’d rather hunt than be the hunted.

  “Well, Sandra. I won’t put down your efforts, but you may waste them on me,” he said, hoping to let her down easily.

  “I never waste my efforts.” She smiled, swaying her chair from side to side, gently caressing his knee with hers with each turn.

  “So, Charles, tell me about yourself. At least I can get to know you and see if I can win you over.” She ran her hand across his arm, seductively glaring at him as she licked her pink-glossed lips.

  “All right. I am from Norfolk, Virginia, and I work as a Computer Engineer. Now and then, I do some IT work on the side for family and friends. I love my parents, and I have a dog. You?”

  “Huh, Charles the Engineer. Ok. I live in Tampa, FL. I am on this trip with my girlfriends. A little girls’ getaway. I’m a counselor, in high school, which is both rewarding and extremely sad. I, too, love my parents, and I don’t like dogs.”

  “Well, this will never work, then. Got to love dogs.” He laughed, feeling more at ease as the rum and coke settled into his stomach.

  “Sorry, dogs aren’t my thing.”

  “So, where are your friends?” He asked as
he queued the bartender for another drink.

  “Probably in their rooms. I’m sure you’ll see us around together. But enough about them. So, you didn’t say why you were on this trip. Vacation?”

  Instantly, a thick layer of grief buried the light mood. If not for embarrassment, Charles would have let the tears that welled in his eyes fall down his cheek. Too much alcohol. He knew better than to have such strong drinks on an empty stomach. So, instead of answering her questions, he said,

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I can eat,” Sandra said with more zeal than Charles felt.

  * * *

  The all-you-can-eat buffet was busy with a line that wrapped around the room. Chatter, laughter, childlike glee, and baby cries filled the room, making it almost impossible to hear. They stood in the line, quietly waiting their turn. Sandra tried to pick up the conversation where they’d left off, but found her companion less than talkative. Eventually, she gave up and stood in silence behind him. After a twenty-minute wait, they piled their plates with seafood, gourmet vegetables, and pastries; then grabbed an empty table just as another couple left. As he ate, he felt the effects of the alcohol begin to wan. He thought about how to answer Sandra’s question without revealing the ball of emotions always waiting to erupt. Finally, he said,

  “I am on this cruise to take a break, regroup, and figure some things out.”

  Sandra put her fork down and nodded her head in understanding.

  “I’m sorry it took me so long to say that,” Charles said shyly before popping a fried shrimp into his mouth.

  “It’s ok. I get it. You needed a minute to figure out how to put your answer into words without giving too much away. I’m ok with that.”

  “Yeah. Thank you for understanding. I feel like I was borderline acting like an asshole with the silent treatment.”

  “You were.” Sandra chuckled at the shock on his face that she’d agreed. “But, I kind of like you. So I’ll give you some grace.”