Chapter 274

‘Mira.’ ‘Damn it,’ I muttered under my breath, then got up to leave. ‘Stay.’ Ashton blocked my way. I glanced around, searching for an escape route. The restaurant was one of three on board, and this wasn’t even lunchtime. I thought I’d be safe here. How did he even find me? ‘I’m busy,’ I said. ‘Doing what?’ I nearly said ‘work’, the excuse I’d used for the past two months, then remembered I was on a cruise ship. A group of guys strolled past, carrying scuba gear. ‘Diving,’ I blurted. ‘I signed up for a class, and I’m running late.’ ‘I’ll come with you.’ I let out an exasperated sigh. ‘I don’t want you to come with me. Shouldn’t you be enjoying this perfect afternoon with your new girlfriend?’ I pushed past him without waiting for an answer. He caught up easily. I started jogging. He kept pace. People turned their heads as we passed, probably thinking we were a pair of lunatics. I kept running until we reached the spot where the diving coaches were instructing a group of young men. I r