Page 23 of Bumping into You

“Well,” I say, “that is going to make things a bit more interesting now, isn’t it?”

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 pantsand 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 quicklygrab 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.

---