She scrunched her nose. “I think you’re mistaken.” Dragging out the words for clarity, she grasped her understanding of their situation. He should have started blaming and berating her by now, not worrying about details of her vacation. She prepared for raised voices and an uncomfortable silence. Within the next ten minutes, he’d leave the ship and any discussion over payment was moot. She tightened her hands into fists and stood tall. “I reserved this cabin. You are standing in my stateroom. I’m taking this trip.”

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he rocked back and forth on his heels several times. “No. You’re not. I’d like to pay for your half of the room.”

She gasped. Why was he acting like he had an undeniable right to the trip? For years, she saved for her passage. Between the two of them, she should remain onboard. Adam Benson wasn’t an unkind or thoughtless person, but at the moment, he bordered on cruel. Clarity chilled her bones, and she shook her head and studied the floor. Her sister couldn’t be added to the manifest because her cabin already had another occupant.

With an outstretched hand, he stepped closer. “My wife is ashore and waiting to board. I’ll cut you a check now. We can get your name stricken from the room, and she and I will then take our honeymoon. Just be reasonable, Caitlyn.”

She recoiled, drawing back her chin and crossing her arms.

He dropped his hand.

For the second time in as many minutes, he shot her a pitying look. She placed a hand against her swirling stomach and darted her gaze about the room at everything she stood to lose.

Excerpt From: Rachelle Paige Campbell. Love Overboard