“I already did the research. It’s a singles’ cruise for some eclipse or something. All I know is that the whole thing is being put on by that chick magazine, Polished or something like that? Yeah, I think that was it. Polished Magazine. It’s the one that’s all about relationships and shit. From what I could gather, there will be plenty of desperate women on board who are looking for their soulmates. Sounds like a wet dream to me, man.”
I meet his gaze and grin. “Then it looks like I’ll be getting the okay from our boss. Book it.”
4
Nora
The next couple of weeks go by in a blur of chaos. The ship is huge and luxurious, and because Gem and I are heading up the entire cruise, we were able to board early to set everything up in a massive room with stadium seating. There’s a smaller room on the opposite side of the ship that will be used for more intimate get-togethers, but this will be used for the keynote speakers. As I take in the giant Written in The Stars banner splattered with gold, black, and white, I shake my head.
“What are you staring at?” Gem interrupts.
“I’m just impressed you pulled this off.”
“We pulled this off,” she corrects me.
“Meh. I was definitely your sidekick in this little endeavor, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. No one knows this stuff like you do, Gem. Seriously. I’m so proud of you.”
With a sheepish smile, she tosses her arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a side hug while staring at the same banner that brought this topic up in the first place.
“I’m proud of both of us. I can feel it in my bones, Nora. This is going to be amazing.”
“Me too, Gem. I think it’s going to be a real hit.”
“Captain Ron wanted to let us know that they’re going to start letting passengers on board. Do you want to go freshen up, then we’ll meet for a celebratory drink by the pool?”
“I dunno, I feel guilty drinking while on the job––”
“No. No, no, no, no. Sorry, Nora, but we didn’t work our asses off for the past six months to plan this entire thing and not enjoy ourselves after it’s finally here. We hired a shitton of people to run the day-to-day crap, so if there’s downtime, then you better damn well believe we’re going to take advantage of it. You hear me?”
“Ooo, bossy Gem is in the house,” I tease. “Fine. Drinks at the bar in….” I pull out my phone from the back pocket of my ripped black shorts that Gem insisted was the official attire for the Polished Magazine volunteers and look at the time. “Thirty minutes?”
“Deal. See you then.” She skips up the stairs toward the exit as I glance back at the banner, gold lights, and red upholstered auditorium seats.
It’s definitely going to be something else.
My white tube top one-piece swimsuit is a stark contrast to all the bikini-clad women lying on the sunbathing chairs, but I loved the ruffled top as soon as I laid eyes on it and don’t mind that it covers a bit more skin than the majority of swimsuits here. What I do mind, however, is that my friend is missing. Tapping my foot against the floor, I check the time.
She’s late.
She’s always late.
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I look around the crowded pool area in search of my best friend.
Nope. Still missing.
“You look lost,” a deep voice murmurs beside me. With a grimace, I turn to it. And nearly swallow my tongue. “I’m Henri. Can I get you a drink?”
Dark mocha skin marbled with swirling tattoos. Rippled muscles peeking through a white tank top. Strong jaw with a bit of scruff. And the most killer smile I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
“Oh, uh….”
Kill me. Kill me now.
My face is burning as I search for something to say. Anything, actually. But I come up empty.
“Let me get you a drink. What would you like?”
“Umm…a Piña Colada, I guess?”
“You don’t look like a Piña Colada girl to me.”
“And what kind of girl do I look like?”
His eyes narrow as he scans me from head to toe, but there isn’t any heat in his gaze. I decide I like him instantly as he answers, “I haven’t decided yet, so a Piña Colada will have to do for now.”
“Sounds great.”
Rounding the corner, he disappears for a split second before reappearing on the opposite side of the bar. With a knowing grin, he begins flipping glasses through the air and whips me up an epic Piña Colada in minutes.
After he places a freshly-mixed beverage––complete with a wedge of pineapple on the edge of the tall glass––in front of me, he dips his chin. “Try it.”
I wrap my mouth around the straw and take a sip. The coconut mixed with rum, milk, and a hint of pineapple is freaking amazing.
“That’s the best Piña Colada I’ve ever had,” I admit.
He grins with satisfaction. “Perfect. Hopefully, it’s the first of many for this trip.”
“I hope so too.”
Something catches his attention behind me before he adds, “Would your friend like one too?”
Pulling my gaze from the sexy bartender who obviously doesn’t have a thing for me, I swivel on the barstool expecting to find Gem. My jaw drops in disbelief before I practically squeal. “Conner?!”
“Nora?!” my cousin returns before pulling me into a giant bear hug. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m running this thing!” I tell him with a grin. “What are you doing here?”
Releasing me, he explains, “I moved down here a few months ago after my internship ended in New York. I didn’t know you put this thing together.”
“I know! If I’d known you were coming, I would’ve gotten you the friends and family discount.”
“Aww, ain’t you sweet,” he teases. “But it’s all good. A buddy of mine at work already got us free
