Ella was up early to take Felix’s morning call out on the deck. His morning calls weren’t nearly as long as his night ones, so she was off quickly then went back to the room. She was still trying to decide if she should tell him over the phone about Grayson being there or wait until she could speak to him in person. The way she saw it, the outcome would be equally bad. She’d either ruin the rest of his weekend or ruin what should be an amazing reunion.
She was able to avoid Grayson for the better part of the day because her dad slept in quite late. They ordered room service instead of going up to eat in the dining room for breakfast. Her dad was nursing a bit of a hangover, so he asked her if she’d be okay on her own for a little bit, while he stayed in bed a little longer watching TV until the aspirins kicked in.
Ella was fine with that. She’d heard Grayson out in the hallway earlier with his cousin and Drake talking about going to Ensenada to meet with the girls. To her surprise, he hadn’t knocked on their door. She could only hope he’d gotten the hint, especially since she’d ducked out so early last night.
Since they’d be docked in Ensenada all day, she’d taken advantage of her time alone to sunbathe on the deck and catch up on her reading.
She and her father eventually made it out to Ensenada for fish tacos and a little shopping. Fortunately, they hadn’t run into Grayson and his crowd. By the time they got back, the band was playing again, and round two of the partying began. They went back to the room to refresh a little, but they inevitably had to join the group again, something it seemed her dad was a little anxious to do.
“You like Margie?” she asked her dad in the elevator.
It was weird to have this kind of conversation with him, and she could tell the question embarrassed him a bit. But Ella wanted him to know she was okay with it if he did. He’d been alone for years now, and she had a feeling he thought maybe that’s how she and Memo preferred it. From the way he and Margie had hit it off so quickly, if he decided once they got back that he might want to go to a Dodgers game with Margie or whatever, she wanted him to know she wasn’t just okay with it. She’d be all for it.
“She’s nice.”
Ella smiled big. “I think so too. I like seeing you have fun.”
“I am having fun, honey.” He smiled. “Thank you for pushing me to do this. I needed it.”
“Good,” she said, feeling even better about having done this. “And just so you know I think it would be cool if once we got back you and Margie maybe got together for a Dodger game or something.”
In case there was any doubt, she wanted to be clear about that. Ella had been pretty disgusted yesterday when she realized what Grayson had done by bringing Margie. She didn’t want her dad to think she didn’t like Margie.
Her dad had been saved by the elevator doors opening and the subject had been dropped, but she was glad she’d put it out there.
The minute Ella saw Grayson she began having regrets about joining them again, but she had no choice. She had every intention of sneaking out early again to take Felix’s call, so she at least wanted to hang out with her dad for a while. Grayson had apparently started the partying early in Ensenada. They all had. Margie was quick to pull her dad out on the dance floor.
“Let’s dance,” Grayson said, smiling a little too big.
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
She gave him a look. “I’m sure you know why.”
“We could dance in a group if you think your little boyfriend will have a shit if he finds out you danced with me alone. This is a party cruise, Ella,” he said, motioning around at everyone around them dancing. “It shouldn’t come as such a shocker to him that you did a little dancing.”
Ella refused to let him upset her. “I do plan on dancing tonight. With my dad.” She shrugged. “I just need to wind down a little first. You guys are way ahead of me,” she said, glancing down at all the empty glasses on the table.
“Oh, well, we can fix that,” he said quickly.
He walked away before she could tell him she didn’t want what she’d been drinking yesterday. It was too strong, and the music was too loud to yell out. She turned, beginning to frown but then saw her dad laughing with Margie as they danced. It’d been so long since she seen him laugh that way she had to smile.
Grayson brought back the same drink as yesterday. Obviously, he’d asked what it was called yesterday, and he’d just assumed she’d be drinking the same thing.
She took it, thanking him, and sipped slowly. As the hours passed, she got up and danced with her dad and Margie. Of course, Grayson joined them and they ended up dancing together. She was just glad it was all party dance music because there was no way she was letting Grayson touch her.
The band took a break and Ella’s group did too. Grayson had begun to get on her nerves, and she was getting close to ducking out for the night anyway.
“Daddy,” she said, bending over so he could hear her. “I’m gonna go for a walk around the deck, but I don’t think I’ll be back. I’m kind of tired.”
Margie and Meri had gone to the ladies’ room, and Grayson and his cousin were at the bar again. She waved at Drake and asked her dad to explain to everyone she’d gone back to her room. He offered to walk her back, but she told him she’d be fine and besides she wanted to go for that walk first.
Ella hadn’t gotten very far when she heard Grayson call out to her. She turned to see him rushing to her, holding another one of the foo-foo drinks she’d probably had too many of already. Every time she’d turned around he’d bought her another. She tried to tell him she didn’t want that kind anymore, but the music had been loud the whole time. So when she’d leaned in to tell him, he’d totally gotten up close to her, and she pulled away quickly, deciding it wasn’t worth it.