Forever (Time for Love Book 1) by Miranda P. Charles

friends?"
    Zach raked his hair. Could he tell her that he'd thought she'd become the mistress of a married man and must have been after his money, and had found out that what he thought were facts were totally fiction? No, of course he couldn't tell her that. If anything would make Rebecca run for the hills faster than anything, it would be that he'd believed those things.
    "I was just a moron, Bec. I was wrong. I do want you back," he said, getting desperate. Rebecca was doubting his words. And he really couldn't blame her for that.
    "You know, Zach," Rebecca said, her eyes watering, "I've waited for months to hear you say that. But being in this ship... it kind of makes everything surreal. We're not in our natural environment. I think that maybe..." she gulped and blinked away her tears. "...I think that maybe this is another short term thing for you. When this trip is finished, you won't feel the same."
    "Oh, Bec, that won't happen! Let me prove it to you. Please." He tried to gather her in his arms but she resisted.
    She looked at him with sad eyes and shook her head. "I think we should talk about this after we get off this ship—when we're back to our normal lives, doing everyday things—and see how we both feel then. For now, I think what you said the other night was a good suggestion. Let's just be friends."
    "Bec—"
    "I just can't absorb this right now, Zach. Please."
    Lancing pain attacked his heart and it took an effort not to cry. Damn it, they were in a public place, and he was a grown man.
    *****
    Z ach focused on work for each minute of the day, only stopping for food and bathroom breaks. From now on, he was intent on finishing his working day by five in the afternoon, every single day while on the ship, so he would have plenty of time for Rebecca. Not that he thought she'd want to spend any time with him, but he wanted to keep his schedule open for her, just in case.
    Rebecca wouldn't tell him what her plans were for the day, but she couldn't refuse when Magda asked. Thankfully, his grandmother was open to letting him know what everyone in their party had been planning.
    Apparently, Rebecca and Sarah would be having dinner tonight at the restaurant that served burgers. He wouldn't be surprised if Alix would be there with them again. It irked the hell out of him that the man was worming his way into Rebecca's days. Even he didn't get to spend as much time with Rebecca as Alix did. It bothered him that Rebecca and Alix were becoming too close.
    He picked up the phone to call his PA, not wanting to dwell on another man wooing his Bec. He'd just get too aggro and wouldn't get anything done.
    He'd just finished his lengthy conversation with his PA when Jeff rang. "Hey, bro," he greeted.
    "Hey. How's it going so far?" Jeff asked.
    "Not bad. I'm glad you rang. There are a few things that you or Greg might need to check," he said, proceeding to give Jeff some instructions.
    "No sweat," Jeff said. "Now I want to talk about this message you left me... You want me to not investigate Rebecca's boyfriend anymore?"
    "He's not her boyfriend. He's her brother—Trey."
    "Oh, really?"
    "Yes. I don't know who Phillip hired to do the investigating, but they obviously stuffed up on some very important details. I'll deal with them another time."
    "How do you know all this?"
    "Sarah was telling everyone the other night the story of how Rebecca's brother gifted her that place."
    "How do you know that was the truth?" Jeff asked.
    Zach sighed in exasperation. "There was no reason for Sarah to lie in front of everyone. I mean it, Jeff. Don't waste your time on this. It's all resolved."
    "Have you spoken to Phillip?"
    "No. I haven't seen him since day one of the trip. I'm too angry at myself for trusting him with an important job and too angry at him for hiring fucking incompetent people. There's no telling what I'd do if I see his face."
    "And what's going on between you and Rebecca now?"
    Zach was quiet for a moment. "She doesn't know