Page 31 of Bumping into You

“Yes,” say Trent and Greg in unison.

“I’m sorry if I caused any trouble,” says Tammy. “I just knew that Vivi would be busy a lot with the wedding party events, and I didn’t want to be lonely. I didn’t think it would be an issue to bring him.”

“It’s not that you brought someone,” answers Trent tersely. “It’s the person that you brought.”

The tension going around the group is palpable. It’s almost too much for me. I lean in a little toward Niall, unable to take my eyes off the scene in front of me, my cheeks hurting from the forced smile I’ve kept pasted on my face.

“It’s fine,” Holly says. “We did say that Tammy could bring her fiancé. Right, Greg?”

“Yeah,” says Greg, “but we didn’t know that it would behim.”

Holly places a hand on Greg’s arm and pats it softly, giving Greg a stern look. “Vivian, it will be fine; Tammy and Bradley, we are happy to have you join us on the cruise.”

Ah, yes, ever the placating bride.

“Thank you,” says Bradley.

With another stern look from Holly, Trent finally nods. “Themore the merrier, I guess.”

Greg excuses himself from the group. “I need a breather,” he says.

At that comment, I seem to snap back to reality.Okay, Gwen, you can do this.Clapping my hands together, I say, “Alright, now that we’ve had this little reunion, how about we get an instructor over here?” I wave to one of the rock-climbing instructors. “We’re ready to sign the rest of the waivers and get to rock climbing,” I tell him.

Holly eyes me, and I try to give her an expression that I’m doing fine.

“Okay,” says the instructor, “I’m Chadwick, and I’ll be helping you out today. Who still needs to sign a waiver?”

After the waivers are signed, we follow Chadwick to the rock-climbing wall.

“Thank you all for coming,” says Chadwick. “We’re going to have a great race! We’ll get you all harnessed, and then we will set you up next to the others. We can have three people going at the same time. First to the top wins, and best time in each group will race each other for a final overall winner. Alright, any questions?”

Our friend group from Tennessee has been rock climbing a few times in downtown Nashville back home, and we have always had a blast. No wonder Greg and Holly added this event to the itinerary.

First up are Niall, Trent, and Greg.

“Have you ever rock climbed before?” I ask Niall as he gets a final check from Chadwick.

“I have,” Niall replies, a slight smirk on his face.

“Well, I hope so,” says Margot. “Trent and Greg are pretty good. It’ll be tough to beat them.”

I nod in agreement.

“I’m not too worried,” says Niall.

Margot and I step back to watch the guys race up the wall. Niall wasn’t lying. He’s definitely done this before. He manages to beat Greg and Trent, but just barely.

We’re all clapping as they rappel down and get unhooked from the harnesses.

Margot, Holly, and I are up next. I’m ready for this and am bouncing from foot to foot waiting for our start.

Greg gives Holly a kiss as she gets her final check from Chadwick. “Good luck,” says Greg.

“She’s going to need it,” says Margot, grinning.

It’s over almost as soon as it starts. I manage to reach the top right before Margot, and I’m so excited that my foot slips a bit and I bump into the wall before rappelling down to the ground.

Once unharnessed, I step back with the guys as we watch Miles and Gillian get ready to start their climb.

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