Page 20 of Bumping into You

Mom

Oh honey, I’m so sorry I didn’t message you sooner. Yes, we are checking in with the boarding agent now. We were in such a rush when we got here that we didn’t think to give you a heads up. Sorry if we worried you!

Gwen

All good. I’m just happy you all arrived in time. I’m heading to my room for a bit, but I’ll see you at dinner.

I smile and shake my head as Mom sends me a thumbs up. I love my parents, but they just may be the death of me one day. Thankfully, everything worked out this time, but I might not be as lucky if there is another mishap.

Chapter 12

Niall

After a drink with the group, I promise everyone I won’t be late for dinner and head to my room. My mind is still reeling from the revelation that Rose is Gwendolyn.

Greg’s little sister.

I never could have imagined this. I was hoping for a chance to get to know her, to have a good time on the cruise, and now it’s like the odds are in my favor because she and I will be together all week for the wedding festivities.

The room is nice and roomy with a king-size bed, a little sitting area with a couch, and a balcony view of the ocean. The cruise ship left port shortly after Gwen left the group. I open the balcony and take a step outside, looking at the shore fading off into the distance.

A sharp intake of breath causes me to freeze on the spot.

It can’t be.

Gwen’s eyes are wide with shock as she sits in a chair on my balcony. Well . . . our balcony.

I chuckle. Of course our rooms are connected. It fits; it must be fate.

“Hi, Rose,” I say.

“What are you doing on my balcony?” she sputters.

“Pretty sure this is our balcony, seeing as how I just came from my room.” I point to the side.

She leans forward to peer around me, as if looking to see if I’m lying.

“Why is this happening?” she asks before laying her head back against her chair. She looks wrecked.

“My guess is that the group of us are all next to each other, seeing as how we’re all here for the same wedding.” I take the seat across from her.

Gwen rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I meant. Seeing as I’m the one who coordinated everyone’s rooms, I know the wedding party is rooming close together. I arranged to share a balcony with Margot, but of course that got messed up. And now I guess I’ll be sharing a balcony with you instead. How do you keep showing up? And don’t you dare say because you are here for my brother’s wedding. Obviously, I know that already. I mean, I didn’t know you were Sully. But seriously, why do you keep showing up?”

“Maybe it’s not me who keeps showing up, but you who keeps getting to the places first.”

“That is literally the same thing,” she says.

“I beg to differ, Rose. If you didn’t go to the places you’ve gone, then I wouldn’t have shown up where you were.”

Sighing heavily at my comment, she lifts her eyes to the sky. “And for that matter, why do you keep calling me Rose? I have a name, which you, of course, now know.”

“You’re right, I probably shouldn’t be calling you Rose anymore. It’s just that I didn’t know your real name and I needed something to call you since we kept running into each other, didn’t I? Now, I’ll call you Gwendolyn, though Rose does suit you nicely.”

“How does Rose suit me?” she asks, her forehead wrinkled.

“Well, your beauty is so captivating that when you enter a room, it’s impossible for people not to take notice. And before you say anything, it’s not all about you being pretty, but also, your hair looks red when the light hits it and you’re a bit prickly on the outside. All qualities of a stunning rose.”

She glances over her shoulder at me, rolling her eyes.

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