Chapter 28 - Niall - Bumping into You
Chapter 28
Niall
I haven’t talked to Gwen since last night, which has been keeping me on edge. The unknown is a heavy weight sitting on my chest.
I hope I didn’t unsettle her when I told her how I felt last night. But when the realization that I was falling for her hit me, I had to say something. I’ve learned the hard way that life is too short to let moments slip by. Waiting might mean missing out on something extraordinary.
Today, we are at Mambo Beach. The waters are calm and tranquil with the rocks stopping the current from coming through to a little lagoon. The sun hangs high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sandy shore. A gentle breeze carries the calming scent of the saltwater as the sounds of laughter scatter around us. Umbrellas and colorful towels dot the beach, forming a cozy haven of relaxation and family fun.
Maggie doesn’t waste a second in building a sandcastle, Miles and Gillian setting down their beach gear before joining her. Waves crash to the shore in an unpredictable ebb and flow, leaving a trail of shells in their wake. Vivian settles herself in a lounge chair next to her parents, who’ve already claimed their spots, and immediately plugs in some earbuds and lays back.
Greg, Trent, Margot, and Holly start a game of frisbee. I lay out my towel on the lounge chair next to Gwen. Taking a deep breath to ease my racing heart, I lean down next to her and whisper, “Would you like to go out to dinner tonight?”
She pulls down her sunglasses a bit, staring at me, her eyes a fusion of warm earthy tones with hints of green and gold. She radiates a quiet intensity in her gaze. A few heartbeats pass before she answers, “Yes, that would be nice.”
My heart, having frozen in time while waiting for her answer, skips a few beats at her affirmation. This has to be a good sign, right?
I sit next to her and watch the others from the cruise along the beach. My natural instinct is to be on alert and consistently assess my surroundings. However, today is a perfect day with calm waters, barely a cloud in the sky.
The world seems to slow down, giving a leisurely feel to the day. Gwen cracks open a book, the rustling of pages mingling with the gentle hum of the ocean and creating a harmonious duet of tranquility. It’s not long before the melody of sounds lulls me to sleep.
A frisbee to the stomach wakes me. “Hey, man, you wanna play?” calls Greg.
Sitting up, I sling the frisbee back to him. “I’m in.” I jog over to him and the others as they spread out to allow more room for me to join in.
Trent launches the frisbee with a grin, calling out, “Alright, now that the whole gang is in, who’s ready for some serious frisbee action?”
Holly, running forward with arms outstretched, goads, “Bring it on, Trent. You’re looking at the reigning frisbee champion right here.”
Laughing, Margot catches the frisbee before Holly can grab it. “Oh please, I’ve seen you trip over your own feet, Holly,” Margot teases.
Sticking her tongue out at her sister, Holly says, “That was all Murphy’s Law, not my doing. Plus, I’ve been practicing my frisbee skills.”
Joining in on the fun, I say with a wink, “Watch out, I’ve got some frisbee magic up my sleeve.”
Margot tosses the frisbee and Gwen catches it, “Alright,” she says, “let’s see if you’ve all got what it takes. Ready, set, go!” She throws the frisbee.
Holly dives dramatically. “I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” Holly hits the ground followed by the frisbee.
Margot laughs. “Wow, Holly! That almost made it look like you knew what you were doing.”
“Hush, you,” says Holly. She stands before picking up the frisbee.
Trent teases, “Where were those secret frisbee techniques you’d been boasting about?”
Holly’s only response is sticking her tongue out at Trent and tossing the frisbee.
“Don’t mess with my bestie,” says Gwen playfully in Holly’s defense.
The frisbee, flying through the air, looks like it’s flying right to Trent, but Greg intercepts it with ease. “Nice try, Trent, but this one’s mine. Can’t have you teasing my bride-to-be and getting away with it.”
“Dude, not cool, that was so mine,” says Trent, jogging back to his place.
“My man’s got moves,” says Holly, going up on her tiptoes to kiss Greg on the cheek.
Right as I catch the next toss of the frisbee, Margot walks toward me and whispers out of the side of her mouth, “So, what’s happening with you and Gwen?”
The question catches me so off guard that I end up throwing it past Trent and Greg, causing them to run farther away from the group. Glancing around, I notice Holly eyeing me and Gwen sending me an “I’m sorry” glance.
Ah, so they know.
I turn to Margot. “It really depends on Gwen.”
Margot nods, Holly smiles, and Gwen’s cheeks turn a captivating shade of pink.
I’m grinning like a eejit by the time Trent and Greg are back with the frisbee. The girls know about us. I don’t know how much, but it seems like they might be sound with the idea of Gwen and me together. Now, hopefully the guys will think that too when they realize I have real feelings for Gwen.
“What was that long toss about, Sully?” asks Greg, as they finally get back to the group.
“Yeah, dude,” says Trent, feigning exhaustion, “I didn’t sign up for marathon running on the beach. That frisbee went far out.”
“What can I say?” I shrug. “At least it didn’t go into the ocean.”
“If that was the case,” says Greg, “I’d have made you swim out to get it.”
“Fair,” I say.
“Enough jabbering,” says Gwen. “Let’s get on with the game.”
“Yeah,” says Margot, “let’s finish this game, and then someone owes us a round of tropical drinks!”
“And the winner gets bragging rights,” I say, “until the next game, of course.”
Laughing, Trent adds, “Let the frisbee final showdown begin!”
The winner ends up being Greg, and he buys us all a round of drinks as the afternoon sun begins to descend. Shortly after, we pack up our things, heading back to the cruise ship.
After dropping off our beach gear in our rooms and changing into something a little less sandy, we meet up two hours later and head to the theater to watch the Mamma Mia! musical. The energy in the theater is high, especially from our group. As the show gets to the “Super Trouper” song, Holly, Gwen, and Margot sing and dance in their seats in sync with the actresses on the stage.
When the show ends, we take the stairs up to head out the back of the theater. The ship is sailing through some rocky water, and a few of us begin to feel its effects, swaying as we walk. The Kentons and Palmers walk out with Vivian, Miles, Maggie, and Gillian. Miles holds tight to his daughter’s arm, steadying her with each step.
Holly and Gwen are in a fit of giggles. Margot stands off to the side, hands on hips like she’s an exasperated parent waiting on her toddlers.
“Come on, lightweights,” teases Margot.
“I don’t know why it’s hitting me so hard,” says Holly, giggling as she tries to climb the stairs next to Gwen. “I have my Dramamine patch on.”
“Me either,” says Gwen. Tears sparkle in her starburst eyes from her laughter. Taking a step forward, she starts to tumble. Her hands reach out for the railing but miss. I quickly grasp her around the waist, gulping as my hands land on the soft skin.
“Don’t worry,” I say softly into her ear as I set her upright. “I’ve got you.”
Her big eyes lock with mine. “Thank you.”
Clearing my throat, I glance over at Holly and Greg. Holly isn’t fairing much better than Gwen. Greg has her elbow in one hand and is using his other hand to guide her up the stairs. Watching as Gwen takes another shaky step, I steady her again.
Once we exit the theater, the rocking subsides and everyone feels a bit calmer. “Alright, everyone,” says Gwen, checking the wedding itinerary on her phone, “you are on your own for dinner tonight, except for Holly and Greg. I’ve planned a special dinner at the hibachi restaurant for you two. You’re going to get a cooking demonstration from the head chef. They’ll lead you in a little mini class about hibachi, and you get to enjoy a romantic dinner and dessert at a table overlooking the ocean.”
“Gwen, that’s too much,” says Holly, tears brimming in her eyes.
“Thanks, Gwennie,” says Greg, giving Gwen a big hug. “That was thoughtful.”
“Oh, well, it was nothing,” says Gwen, “I just thought you two would like . . .” she trails off.
“It wasn’t nothing,” says Holly. “You are the best friend a girl could ask for.”
Greg and Holly leave for the hibachi restaurant. Gillian and Miles break off from the group to take Maggie to kid’s club so they can have a night out together. Vivian leaves the group, saying she’s going to meet up with Tammy and Bradley. The Kentons and Palmers head off to the Duke’s Diner.
“I think,” says Margot, “I’m going to catch one of the World Cup games at the sports bar.”
“I’ll join you,” says Trent. “We can catch dinner there too. You guys coming?” Trent asks Niall and me.
“They probably have other plans,” says Margot, giving me and Gwen a large smile.
“Other plans?” asks Trent.
“Actually, Margot’s right,” I say. “I’ve already got reservations for dinner tonight . . . with Gwen.”
Trent raises his eyebrows and nods, “Gotcha. Well, you two have fun.”
Trent and Margot turn and head off together toward the sports bar.
“When did you make a reservation?” Gwen asks, once they’re out of earshot.
“This morning before we all headed off to the beach.”
“But you didn’t know if I’d agree to dinner.”
“I had hope. Shall we?” I hold out my arm to her.
She looks at me for a heartbeat, then nods and puts her arm through mine. “Lead the way.”
The dinner at the steakhouse is delicious. Our meal passes with the two of us immersed in conversation that ebbs and flows easily, as if we’ve been going to dinner together for years.
It all seems so easy with Gwen, so right. I’ve been hesitant to bring up last night and what I confessed because I want to give her time to think everything over, but after enjoying the day and this dinner together, my nerves are all but shot.
“So,” I start, then take a sip of water. “Have you given any thought to what I told you last night?”
She eyes me silently for a bit, causing my already quickening heart to beat rapidly. “You don’t have to have an answer,” I say quickly. “I just wanted to know if you’ve thought about it.”
“I’ve been thinking about it,” she says, “but I don’t have an answer quite yet.”
I nod, and surprisingly, we return to normal conversation, no awkwardness lingering between us.
After we’re sufficiently stuffed from the delicious food and dessert, I guide Gwen out of the restaurant. “Would you like to take a walk through the gardens?” I ask.
“That sounds nice,” she says.
We stroll the Royal Gardens, enjoying the cool breeze and the beauty of the inky sky dotted with stars.
Pulling Gwen to a stop, I turn to face her and brush my thumb against her cheek. “My mam always said if you wish on a star, your wish would come true. Close your eyes and make your wish, whatever your heart desires.”