Page 7 of Cocky Cruiser

She furrowed her brow, replying, “Adele Alexandra Bateman.”

I quickly typed as I asked, “Date of birth?”

“September 17, 1989.”

After a few moments of filling in other information on the site, I stated, “Just booked your ticket.”

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide. “What? You didn’t have to do that. You already paid for everything else.”

Having three successful restaurants in Las Vegas ensured I didn’t have to worry about money. “I invited you on this trip, and I plan to take care of everything.”

“The cruise is more than enough,” she protested. “I would like to contribute something. I don’t want to be some freeloader.”

I had a feeling her company would be a good exchange. Smiling, I looked her directly in the eyes. “Someone once told me that there is more to life than money. And it wasn’t until recently that that really sank in. I’m in a position where money isn’t an issue for me, and I can use it to bring happiness to someone other than myself.”

Adele gave me a whimsical smile, eyes searching my face. “Who are you, Cohen James?”

I grinned. I was still figuring that out myself. “Guess you’re going to have to wait and find out.”

A few seconds later, Colin and Jeannie returned with two pizzas and a large platter of wings. I hadn’t eaten since the in-flight meal, and I was starving.

Each of us took a couple of slices of pizza and some wings before digging in. Between bites, I joked, “I wasn’t expecting to be eating pizza and wings as my first Australian meal.”

Adele laughed. “You know what’s funny? This is my second time eating pizza since I’ve returned to Melbourne.”

We all laughed, then I commented, “I guess pizza is a staple everywhere you go.”

Once we finished eating, we had a few more beers, then called it a night. We paid our tabs and walked out together, then Colin and Jeannie split away from Adele and me after the girls hugged and said goodbye.

I continued walking with Adele, and I assumed Colin was walking Jeannie to her car since he was my ride.

As Adele stopped next to a gray crossover-type SUV, she turned to me with a smile, her cheeks turning pink. “This is me.”

It felt like we were at the end of a first date even though we weren’t. Obviously, there was an attraction between us, but I didn’t want to overstep since we were going on a trip together. I extended my hand to her. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Adele.”

She placed her hand in mine, and I lifted it to my lips to kiss the back of it. “Likewise,” she agreed.

Releasing her hand, I backed away. “I’ll be in touch,” I said with a wink.

Adele’s cheeks flushed deeper as she gave me a wave and hopped in her car.

As I walked back to Colin’s car, I couldn’t help but smile. I hadn’t felt that happy since Cara, and it affirmed my decision to invite Adele on the cruise.

As Colin and I drove back to his place, he asked, “So are you going to tell her?”

Brows furrowing, I frowned. “I don’t know yet.”

Keeping his eyes on the road, Colin shrugged. “Maybe you should. It might be cathartic.”

Even though Colin and I didn’t live on the same continent, he was my best friend. He knew everything about me, including what had happened with Cara. He was the only one outside of my family who knew how my whole trip came to be.

He also knew why I didn’t let people get close.

“I don’t know, Colin. I don’t even know her.”

Colin chuckled. “I’m sure you’re going to get to know her over the next few weeks.” He waggled his eyebrows. “You’re going to be in close quarters for nineteen days.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s not why I invited her.”

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