chapter thirteen #3
“Accident or not, she has a black eye, and that’s awful.”
He places his hand on the small of my back and gently encourages me forward, and I appreciate the support.
And while Brittany and her friend appear to be using Ben for his wealth—which I certainly don’t agree with—my childish retaliation physically hurt her, and that doesn’t jive well with who I am at my core.
“Hi,” I say as we stop at the end of their row. “How’s your eye, Brittany?”
“How does it look?” she snaps, lip snarling.
“Sore,” I admit. “I really am sorry.”
She doesn’t say anything more, so I stand there awkwardly, waiting for the three of them to scoot along one seat to allow Riley and I to sit at the end of the row, but none of them budge.
Okaaay. I guess I’ll climb over them.
Shuffling in front of Brittany, I almost trip when Ben pats his lap. “Come and sit on my knee, love.”
Riley clasps my arm and tugs me back. “Nice try, Michigan. Move up a seat. It’s easier.”
They scoot along, so I take the seat between Riley and Brittany.
“Where have you kids been?” Ben asks.
“We spent the day on shore.” I sip my drink and snicker. “Riley ate whale and bugs. And I flew in a helicopter.”
Ben gives Riley an animated yet disgusted look, which, of course, I find amusing.
“What did you do?” I ask him.
“Chartered a boat through some mountains. Boring as bat shit.”
“Doesn’t sound boring.”
“It was, love.”
“Why’d you eat a bug?” Brittany asks Riley.
“It wasn’t intentional.”
I snicker again, and he playfully prods me in the ribs.
“Hey!” I nudge him back. “I nearly spilled my drink.”
He prods me again.
“Stop it! I’m ticklish.”
Brittany shuffles back into her seat, and I wonder if Riley realizes she likes him.
It’s obvious, given the way she looks and acts around him, so maybe he does.
Then again, men are normally clueless where women are concerned, so perhaps he doesn’t.
Plus, he’s in the process of getting a divorce, so he may not be interested.
He did say he’d hook up with a woman if he wanted to though. I side-eye them. Surely, she’s too young for him.
Uncrossing my legs, I fidget uncomfortably before crossing them again, when our cruise director jogs onto the stage.
“Welcome, cruiselings.” He claps his hands, then waves to the crowd. “Did you all have a wonderful day in Qaqortok?”
A resounding “Yes!” echoes throughout the auditorium, followed by an obnoxious “Boo!” bellowed from Ben’s throat.
I dip my head, embarrassed.
“It sounds like most of you did, which is fantastic. What a spectacular place, huh?” He nods passionately. “Now, before we get to this afternoon’s fun and games, don’t forget that tomorrow is a sea day as we journey to Reykjavik, Iceland. But sea days are glee days, right?”
We all answer “Yes!” and this time, Ben whistles like a manic kettle.
“We have plenty for you to see and do tomorrow. Bingo with Eddie will be held here in the theatre at nine, and for those booked to do the Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tour, there will be five sessions. You’ll find your session allocation either in your cabin box outside your door or on your app.”
Keeping my eyes trained on Paul, I lean in to Riley and whisper, “That reminds me… I booked you on that tour with me. I hope that’s okay. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want—”
“Are you shitting me?”
I snap my eyes to him, fearing I’ve overstepped my mark. “No. I just thought—”
“Riles, you’re an angel!”
“I am?”
“Yes,” he says, leaning closer, our cheeks almost pressed. “I tried to book that tour, but it was full. I was pissed I missed it.”
Thrilled he’s appreciative, my face flushes. And if I were an angel, no doubt I’d flutter my wings with pride. “Well, you didn’t miss it,” I say, winking at him. “And, you’re welcome.”
Brittany shushes us, so I apologize and refocus on Paul.
“Tomorrow is our first formal night, so please don your finest attire and cruise in style. Captain Katarina has also informed me there’s a chance we will see the Northern Lights, sometime around midnight.
Given it is late summer here, we’re very fortunate for the opportunity.
So, set your alarms. Glue your eyelids open.
Drink lots of coffee. Whatever you do, be awake and on deck.
You will not want to miss this extraordinary phenomenon. ”
I squeal like a banshee, then cover my mouth with my hand and murmur to Riley, “I’m so excited! I really want to see the Northern Lights.” I squeal again, this time more subdued. “Oh my God! I hope we do.”
Brittany glares at me as if I’m an idiot, and I’m baffled, because who wouldn’t want to see the Aurora Borealis.
“What?” I mouth to her.
She rolls her eyes in response, so I sip the last of my drink and ignore her. She’s starting to grate my nerves anyway.
“Okay, cruiselings,” Paul continues, “who wants to play Truth or Dare?”
A bazillion hands shoot into the air, mine included. Riley’s remains on his lap, so I lift it too and wave it about, his tense muscles fighting my enthusiasm.
“Wave, damn it,” I hiss, flapping harder. “I want that trophy.”
He grunts and reluctantly waves.
“Excellent!” Paul says, pacing the stage.
“Now, how this works is we will randomly choose a cabin number, and if you’re in the theatre and want to participate, please make your way to the stage.
Don’t be shy, cruiselings. We have some brilliant prizes up for grabs, including a relaxation package for two in our Lotus Spa, which is valued at fifteen hundred dollars. ”
“Oooh.” I drop our hands. “That sounds nice.”
Riley’s face crumples.
“What? It does! I love spas.”
“Have you all met Carlos, the best trivia host on the high seas?” Paul asks.
Carlos skips onto the stage and performs an animated twirl before waving.
I nudge Riley. “Look, it’s Carlos!”
Paul applauds his colleague. “He will be my assistant, and that fancy iPad he’s holding will select our lucky cabins. Are you all ready?”
I holler, “Yes!” and Brittany turns in her seat and looks at me as if I have feces on my face.
“What?” I mouth again.
Shaking her head, she shields her face with her hand, so again, I ignore her—she’s a sourpuss.
“Let’s see who our first participants will be, shall we?” Paul drums his feet on the stage as Carlos taps his iPad.
I sit straighter with anticipation, craning my neck to get a better view.
“Cabin number… 10143,” Paul announces, trumpets blaring from the speakers.
Squealing, I shove my empty glass into Brittany’s hand, jump to my feet, and turn to Riley. “That’s us!”
“Shit,” he grumbles, wincing as he sinks into his seat.
“Oh no you don’t,” I hiss, grabbing his arm and yanking it. “Get. Up.”