Erica''s voice red through the phone, loud enough for Marion to hear.


    Debra''s cheeks flushed pink as she nced at him, whispering into the receiver, "Did he arrange a dinner for me?"


    "Yep, it''s all set up at the Royal Grand Hotel. We''re just missing the guest of honor. Randy and I are en route to pick you up. Where are you?" Erica chirped.


    Debra cupped her hand over the phone and mouthed to Marion, "Did you n something at the Royal Grand Hotel?"


    He shook his head, and realization dawned on Debra. Erica and Randy were behind this surprise.


    "Is Marion with you?" Debra asked, suppressing augh.


    Erica stammered, "Of course. He''s waiting at the hotel."


    "But if Marion''s with you," Debra said, grinning, "then who''s sitting next to me?"


    There was a pause, then a burst of noise from the other end. Then Erica and Randy eximed in unison, "What? You''re with him?"


    Debra heard the screech of brakes, followed by Randy''s exasperated voice. "Why didn''t you tell us you were together? I dropped a small fortune on that hotel. Come back now." "Yeah, it''s inconsiderate not to include us on your birthday," Erica echoed.


    Deep down, she was thrilled, not expecting Marion to have some tricks up his sleeve.


    "We should be at the port..."


    Before Debra could finish, Marion took the phone and said, "We''re noting back tonight. You guys have fun."


    Then he hung up the phone, leaving Erica and Randy in stunned silence.


    After a while, Randy snapped out of it and asked, "What does Marion mean by that?"All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    "He said they''re noting back tonight."


    "So, what are they doing at the port?"


    ""Could it be..."


    Erica covered her mouth. Realization hit her like a tornado. "Their first date goes wild.


    "I don''t agree. This is going too fast. You need to drive to the port right now. I want to see what''s happening."


    "What do you mean by going too fast?"


    Randy knew Erica was curious, but he was even more eager to find out. He started the car, ignoring the money spent, and headed straight to the port. Debraughed, taking the phone back.


    "Why did you hang up on them?"


    "They were too loud."


    He took her hand, leading her up the stairs to the open-air deck. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the dark ocean.


    The deck was beautifully lit, and every amenity was in ce. Debra wrapped herself in a nket and sat down, Marion handed her a cup of warm milk. "Feeling cold?"


    "Not really."


    "I wanted to bring you here in the summer. It''s a bitte now, but..."


    "Summer? And you this ship?"


    "I did."


    Debra was surprised. She thought Marion had only rented the ship.