Chapter 13 - Gwen - Bumping into You
Chapter 13
Gwen
The gentle rocking of the ship helps me fall asleep. But the past two days have been too full of unplanned events for my liking, and my sleep is restless.
Hours later, bright light from the late morning sun streams in through the glass. Sitting up in bed, I wish I had closed the blinds last night. All I want is to go back to sleep. But there’s no point. I know I won’t sleep much anyway. Besides, I need to look over today’s schedule. At least the ocean view is beautiful, a consolation prize.
I start a pot of coffee before sliding open the door to the balcony and sitting in one of the lounge chairs. It’s so relaxing and peaceful, a slight hum coming from the people on higher levels going about their day. The light shines off the sea as the ship continues on its course. Everything is as it should be.
Opening up my cruise app, I look over our agenda for the day. I know it by heart, but it never hurts to double-check.
Today is a day at sea. We are all pretty much on our own to have some time getting acquainted with the ship, except for our two o’clock reservation for the rock-climbing wall. This will be for the bigger group.
All of us are listed on the reservation as expected. Holly, Greg, Trent, Margot, Niall, Miles, Gillian, Vivian, and myself. Check!
I love when I can cross something off a to-do list. For my personal agenda, I’ve planned to attend the ten-thirty yoga class. I click my phone off, then go inside to quickly dress in yoga pants and a sports bra and toss my hair up in a ponytail.
My coffee is finally ready, and I gulp down one cup then grab another. I walk out to the balcony and watch the waves.
It’s a new day.
Everyone made it onto the ship, and even though there have been some more-than-stressful instances, with each breath of ocean air, the stress dissipates like the waves as they break and settle.
Yoga is everything I needed. There’s something about it that awakens my body and mind in a calming silence. Lately, I’ve had to miss my regular classes back home. But I vow right here and now that when I get back, I will make time for these classes.
Even if that means having to schedule them in like a client meeting.
I can’t help but leave the class with a giant grin on my face, my yoga mat in its holder and my bag strapped over my shoulder.
I hit the Noble’s Café and order a superfood green smoothie. It’s perfect. Taking another sip as I turn around, a chirp sounds on my phone, and I glance down to see a notification from the onboard messaging feature in the cruise app.
Dad
Hi, honey, this is actually mom. I can’t figure out how to use this app on my phone, so I’m just using Dad’s phone. Anyway, your dad is feeling a bit seasick. Anything you know that could help?
Poor Dad. I weave my way through the small crowd as I exit Noble’s Café.
I’m just about to hit send on a reply to my mom when I round the corner and bump right into someone. The lid pops off my drink and green smoothie spills everywhere.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry,” I say as I set my things down and quickly grab my small towel from my bag to try and clean up the poor person who was unfortunate enough to have me run into them.
When I look up, I freeze.
Oh.
My.
Goodness.
It’s Niall.
McHottie strikes again.
How do we keep bumping into each other?
What’s left of my green smoothie is slowly dripping down his shirtless chest. I wipe the napkin quickly over his abs. My hands tense slightly as I stroke over Niall’s chiseled form. He has an amazing six-pack. “I’m so sorry,” I say, unable to stop wiping his chest. Damn, Niall is hot.
“No worries,” says Niall.
“I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, and I was dealing with a situation. . . .” I trail off as his warm hands move over mine.
“It’s okay, I think you got it all,” says Niall huskily.
I stop short as I look at my hand covered under his, pressed against his hard abs. I can feel redness flood my face.
His shirt is slung over his perfectly broad shoulders. Shoulders that are glistening slightly, just as his chest and abs were probably glistening before I spilled my drink.
Heaven help me, he’s just come from a workout, and I have been standing here dumbstruck, running my hands all over his chest. I will not be attracted to this man. Even if I do refer to him as McHottie in my head. You do not have time for this, Gwen.
“Good morning, Gwendolyn,” he says, clearly amused by the situation.
A shiver runs through me at his use of my first name. “Morning,” I say, trying to keep my composure but failing miserably. My cheeks feel like they’re on fire.
The smile on his face crinkles his eyes as he watches me intently. “I just came from a run and didn’t expect to have . . . What is this? A smoothie? Spilled on me by a lovely lass.”
My stomach flips at his comment. No, bad stomach. Bad.
“Again with the comments on my looks? Can’t a girl just . . . be, without being objectified?” I stand one hand on my hip as my eyes shoot daggers at him.
I mean, yes, I was ogling him first, but I’m not going to tell him that he’s hot. He just makes me feel confused. I don’t want to be attracted to him. I don’t have time for this. I have a wedding to pull off.
Niall looks dumbstruck, like I’ve completely stunned him. His eyes widen at my words, and all traces of the smile vanish from his face. “I never meant to offend you, Gwendolyn.”
Maybe I’ve gone too far this time. And now that I know Niall a little, I really wasn’t that offended.
Words fail me as I see the only thing that could make this moment worse—Bradley and Tammy coming toward us.
“No, no, no, not again,” I whisper, frustrated at my dumb luck. I should have just stayed on my balcony this morning and done yoga in solitude. Then I’d only chance bumping into Niall, not Niall, Bradley, and practically-perfect-in-every-way, my-hand-is-too-heavy-from-the-diamond-in-my-engagement-ring Tammy.
My sudden change in demeanor has to be giving Niall whiplash because he’s suddenly on high alert. “What, what is it?”
I move slightly so he is blocking me from view. “I know I just practically yelled at you, and I spilled my drink all over you, but I would be forever in your debt if you’d just play along . . . again,” I say, peering up at him, my eyes wide as I silently plead with him for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Pretend to be my boyfriend.
“Oh em gee,” Tammy squeals, “Bradley Boo, look who it is!”
It takes Niall practically one point two seconds before he becomes all charm and smoothness. It oozes off him in waves, not unlike the green smoothie that was dripping off him a few moments ago. “Why, look who it is, mo ghrá . Fancy bumping into you two here.”
Thank you, Niall!
“Hi,” I say forcefully. Seeing Bradley and Tammy together cuts. I’m a strong, independent, intelligent woman. What Bradley thinks of me doesn’t matter anymore. I am better off without him. I try to regain my confidence. Bradley still looks great.
But not as good as Mr. McHottie, whose body I now know much more about. Wait, what? I shake myself from my internal dialog to focus back on the conversation happening around me.
“. . . planned for later this afternoon,” says Niall. “It should be a grand start to the activities on the cruise.”
I’d clearly zoned out and missed part of the conversation.
“Oh, how fun,” Tammy exclaims. “I’m not a fan of sports, but Bradley Boo was so excited when he’d found out this ship had it, he insisted we sign up. Maybe we’ll see you both there!”
“Sounds great,” I choke out, not registering what I’m responding to. I lean in close to Niall, slipping my arm through his and wrapping it around his back.
“We should compare times,” says Bradley. “Make it a competition.”
“May the best couple win,” offers Niall cheerily as he places his arm over my shoulders. “Anyhow, we best be off. Got to get washed up. I’m afraid I’m a bit too sweaty to take this one to a proper lunch.”
Tammy’s eyes roam slowly over Niall, his shirt still hanging over his shoulder. I have to fight the urge to gouge her eyes out. I place my other hand on his chest and lean up to give him a quick peck on the cheek.
What the heck has come over me?
After a nod from Bradley and a wave from Tammy, we are alone again. I step back from Niall, taking a proper breath for the first time since seeing Bradley and Tammy.
“Well, that was some craic ,” says Niall.
“What do you mean ‘crack’? Like, ‘on crack’? Not exactly how I would have described it, but thank you. I owe you one, or I guess two now.” I huff out a feeble laugh, then take a sip of what’s left of my smoothie. That’s twice now Niall has helped me out of a pickle. I’m going to owe him forever if it keeps up at this rate.
“Not a problem,” says Niall. “And craic means fun in Irish. Anyway, I’m going to wash the rest of this off,” he gestures to his chest. “I guess I’ll see you at lunch.” Niall waves and heads to the elevators.
This ship is getting smaller and smaller by the minute. And now that I know I’ll keep bumping into Bradley and Tammy with Niall around, what am I going to do? Of course, they’re inevitably all going to show up to some of the same wedding activities. How are you going to pull off this fake boyfriend thing, Gwen?
This is going to be the absolute worst.
I can’t keep asking Niall to pretend to be my boyfriend, right?
Or can I? Maybe he wouldn’t mind helping me out for the rest of the cruise. A crazy idea begins to form, but I’m interrupted by a chirp from my phone.
Dad
Hi, honey, I don’t mean to bother you again but did you have something for Dad. He hasn’t left the bathroom and is looking a little green.
I had completely forgotten about my mom’s text.
Gwen
Sorry, yes. On my way. Got caught up with something, but I’m heading back to my room now and will bring over the Dramamine asap!
Dad
Thank you so much, oh dear, Dad needs me. Just knock when you get here and I’ll let you in.
Thankfully, I have a plethora of Dramamine in my emergency bag. I’ll deal with this first, and then I think I will go chat with Niall.
After all, I know which room is his.