Caribbean Crossroads Read Online Free PDF

know what you’re trying to do, and I appreciate it, I really do. But it’s just not for me, not right now. Not for a very long while yet.”
    Jillian thought for a moment then smoothed Megan’s hair. “He’s out there, Megs, he really is. And he’s wonderful. I just know it. You’ve got to let go and try again, despite what’s happened. You’ll see. Something good is right around the corner, I can feel it.”
    Megan smiled. Jillian had said it earnestly, genuinely. Like a comforting mother who knows best, and you almost believe her because you really, really want to.Jillian kissed the top of Megan’s head and headed back to the mirror. Brittany had not yet arrived but her suitcases had been meticulously unpacked and stowed somewhere out of sight.
    Minutes later they headed for thefood. Chalise led them down the serpentine hallway which opened into the enormous mezzanine. It overflowed with people, casino entryways, and buffet entrances, spanning the size of a stadium floor. The girls made their way through the first food line. Every few minutes Jillian surveyed the place for Derek who said he’d meet her there.
    Tonight’s buffet—celebrating the first evening of the cruise—was an elaborate Asian theme. Four enormous banquet tables held platter after platter of seafood and meat dishes, egg rolls, noodles, rice and more, all displayed with ornate Chinese decorations of red and gold lanterns and stationed Terra Cotta army statues. Between the platters wound a luscious full-length version of the Wall of China made from chocolate fondant cake.
    “This is my favorite perk of being a Premier Performer, baby,” said Chalise, piling a bit of everything on her plate.
    “Where do you put it?” said Megan.
    “High metabolism, much to the ship’s dismay,” she said, spooning on some Szechwan shrimp.
    The abundance made Megan feel full before she began, and by the line’s end she only had a few entrees on her plate. They made their way to a cozy table by a wall, the dull roar of five hundred people’s animated conversation in the background. With the stimulation of the day, the afternoon’s rehearsals, and now the evening noise, Megan’s head throbbed a steady beat.
    As they settled into the seats in a section with a table sign labeled “Premier Performers,” Chalise called out, “Hey Britt, over here.”
    The stunning peroxide blonde paused at the table, while a Latino man stopped behind her, carrying a tray of salad without dressing, a palm-sized piece of grilled fish, and a small bowl of lemon slices.
    “Leesy, sooo good to see you.” Brittany leaned down for an air kiss on her cheek.” She glanced and smiled to the girls at the table.
    “Good rehearsal today, ladies.” She paused at Megan. “You’re the new girl—is it Megan?”
    “Yes, that’s right.”
    “Can’t believe it was your first rehearsal, you did a really great job. And don’t worry about Madame Helga. She gets sort of point and shoot out there but she’s really a big marshmallow.”
    Megan nodded in appreciation. Wow, disarmingly nice. Megan felt a momentary pang of guilt for her earlier Barbie and Ken judgment. She obviously had a lot to learn about performers.   
    Chalise pointed to an open chair. “Come sit with us.”
    “Thanks, no, Manuel is seating me with Mrs. Van De Morelle.”
    Chalise stopped. “She’s here, on the ship ?”
    “Oh yes, and about five board members. She’s supposedly coming to a performance, though no one knows which one.” Charlise’s hand flew to her chest. “I know. Word is they’re making new decisions on staff, performances, casinos—lots of things.” Brittany smiled abruptly at another table. “Hey, good to see you!” then did a princess wave.
    Megan noticed that her teeth were perfectly aligned, standing at attention like little alabaster soldiers. Her lips naturally sat up slightly higher than her gums so that her smile gave the constant impression she had just been crowned Miss