Page 73 of Bumping into You

“Oh, of course, sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I just wanted to confirm a few things about the rehearsal attendees and the SkyDeck for the wedding.”

“Oh, thank goodness. Yes, so the rehearsal will just have the wedding party and our parents. So that’s thirteen, because Gillian and Miles will be there to help Maggie with her cues. What about the SkyDeck?” I ask.

“Well, we were thinking, because it’s going to be dusk when they get married, it would be nice to have lights hanging around the SkyDeck to give off a sort of fairytale glow.”

“Holly would love that!” I say. “Yes, please do add them. And thank you for all your help with the wedding. I haven’t had to do nearly what I normally would for an event, and as unnerving asthat is, it’s also nice being able to just take part in the wedding itinerary with my friends and family.”

“That’s what we are here to help with,” says Courtney. “Everyone in the wedding party, including you, should be able to have a great time without worrying about a thing.”

“Thank you, Courtney. I’m off to the pool to meet up with Holly and Margot,” I say.

“Have a great time,” Courtney says.

Sitting in the lounge chair beside one of the many pools, I read my book, and a feeling of calm washes over me, the warmth of the sun warming my skin. Holly and Margot sit next to me reading and drinking piña coladas, having joined me about an hour ago.

Turning the page of my book, I take in the people around me, all of us on the same ship but all with different lives. Even my life is different from what it was when I first boarded this cruise ship.

Laying my head back, I smile to myself. This is definitely the life. The gentle breeze lightly moves the pages of my book as I read.

“Gwen,” I hear from an unknown location.

Looking around, I try to place the source.

“Gwen!” I hear again.

I glance up at the second level and see Niall waving to me from one of the hot tubs. I give him a small wave.

The grin that spreads across his face brings a smile to mine. As unpredictable as this whole thing has been since we first bumped into each other, I can always count on him to find me. And now, he’s someone I have developed strong feelings for. Someone who has developed strong feelings for me as well.

Niall steps out of the hot tub, and the water glistens as heshakes off the excess and reaches for his towel. The sight of his bare chest brings a flood of memories from the night before.

“What’s caught your attention?” Holly asks teasingly.

“It’s Mr. Hottie with the accent,” says Margot. Then they both break out into giggles.

“Hush, you two,” I scold.

“He definitely has a crush on you,” says Holly.

“Yeah . . .” I say dreamily.

“Seems like you might have one too,” says Holly, pulling her sunglasses down to look at me, her eyebrow raised at my tone. “Does that mean you two are . . .”

She waits for me to answer.

But I can’t bring myself to tell them yet that he’s mine, and I’m his. I want it to be our secret for just a little longer.

As if my thoughts conjure him, Niall walks over to us, saving me from having to answer Holly’s question. The sight of him with a plate piled high with chips, guacamole, and sour cream causes me to smile.

“For you, ladies,” Niall says.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You look breathtaking,” he whispers into my ear as he hands over the nacho plate.

“Nachos!” exclaims Holly. “I would kill for some nachos.”Laughing, Niall says, “Well, thankfully you won’t have to go to that extreme. We wouldn’t want the bride to end up in jail right before her wedding.”

“Why is Holly ending up in jail?” asks Greg, coming over and giving his bride-to-be a kiss on her head.

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