The continuing tale of a woman who escapes her nowhere life by traveling the world of imagination.
Dessert and coffee now finished, the dinner mates said their adieus or made plans to meet in the lounge for aperitifs. Eventually, only Spencer and Maya were left at the table.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“You’ve got to be kidding! You’ve got Casanova coming on to you and you’re not gonna see it through?”
“He was just flirting. I’m sure he does it with every woman on the ship.”
“I didn’t see him cutting Mrs. Mugby’s chicken breast.”
“All right, every single woman on the ship.”
“Didn’t see him feeding Mrs. Mugby’s daughter, either.”
“Okay, enough. Besides, what could possibly come out of it?”
“Ah, the best orgasm you’ve ever had?”
Maya laughed. “All right, all right.”
Spencer stood up. “Just leave the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door, ‘kay?”
“Wait, I’m coming with you,” said Maya, sliding her chair from the table. Spencer, a few steps away, turned back to her. Just as she moved toward him, Pino appeared from around a corner, trapping Maya against the wall.
“You’re not finished, are you, signorina?”
“My friend and I were just leaving.”
“Don’t you want dessert?”
“ I tried some of Spencer’s cremé brulee, it was quite good ….” Maya grapsed Pino’s meaning, his black eyes piercing hers so strongly she had to catch her breath.
“Oh, ah …” Maya bit her lip. She looked over at Spencer, who was already bouncing toward the door.
“Yes, dessert would be … nice.”
“I’ll bring a sample plate.”
“Great.”
Pino gazed at her, raising his eyebrows. Maya smiled, raising hers. He laughed at her naivety.
“Where should I bring it?”
“Oh. Ah, suite 121. 121.”
“Give me twenty minutes.”
“All right, see you then.” She waited for him to move but, when he didn’t, she slipped out beneath his right arm.
Walking toward the exit, Maya turned, blushing to find Pino watching her. Lowering her gaze, she bumped straight into Stephano, their boyish assistant waiter.
“Oh! Sorry, Stephano.”
“No, no, excuse me, ma’am. I will see you later, yes?”
“Yes, yes, later,” she said, smiling nervously.
Maya leaned against the wall outside the dining room, catching her breath. She adjusted her dress, laughing awkwardly as the purser passed by, tipping his hat.
Entering her stateroom, Maya was relieved to see that Spencer wasn’t there. Must be in the lounge, she thought, karaoke king that he was. She started straightening the room, indiscriminately tossing clothes into open drawers, kicking shoes under the beds.
She had just enough time to freshen her lipstick and run a comb through her chestnut hair when she heard a knock. Maya paused, pinched her cheeks, smiled at the mirror, and went to the door.
“Who is it?”
“Room service.”