Page 17 of Honeymoon for Seven

“That you love her so much.”

She shrugged. “So do you.”

“I didn’t know I loved your mother.” He tried not to laugh at his own stupid joke.

“Ha ha. You know what I meant.”

“I do.” He nodded. “And you’re right. Mom is great, especially when she’s not playing matchmaker.”

“I think our mothers would be good friends.”

“Why does that thought scare me?”

Ginnie laughed again. “Okay. Good point.”

Her words were cut off with the sound of music. Until now he wasn’t sure where they were going, just walking from the movie deck to the opposite side of the ship.

Her gaze wandered through the open doors into the nearby lounge. “Oh. It’s karaoke.”

“You like to sing?”

“Singing might not be the right word, but I enjoy hearing others.”

Stopping, he bowed at the waist and waved his arm toward the double doors. “Then hearing others we shall do.”

The small lounge was surprisingly full. It took a few minutes to find a seat, but they settled in.

“I owe you a drink.” He waved down a waiter.

“I’ll have a Marvelous Mango please.” She spun about in the swivel chair. “Thanks.”

“Hey.” He shrugged. “That was the bet.”

She nodded. “It was, but not everyone settles a bet.”

“I may be many things, but a welcher isn’t one of them.”

“I’ll remember that.” Her grin was downright infectious.

With one hand on their hip and the other pointing at the audience, a very nice group of girlfriends, who couldn’t carry a tune in a paper bag, sang the last line of “Shake It Off” to raucous applause.

“Maybe next time the audience should sing along,” he teased, leaning into her side so no one else would hear.

A tall blonde with long flowing hair and a snug fit dress marched onto the stage. The way the woman grabbed the microphone and waited for her cue, without glancing at the karaoke screen, had Nick thinking this was not her first karaoke effort.

A few notes played and Ginnie smiled. “Ooh. I love this song.”

“We’ve heard all of three notes and you recognize it?”

She bobbed her head. “I can name most Carrie Underwood tunes in less than that.”

Another few notes and even Nick recognized the song “Before He Cheats.”

“What do you think?” Ginnie leaned toward him. “All flash or can she really sing?”

He shrugged, and a moment later, all of three words, to match the three notes, came over the sound system and his and Ginnie’s jaws dropped before quickly snapping shut.

“I’m guessing this is going to be very good.” Ginnie leaned back in her seat. By the time the woman belted out the chorus, Ginnie was sitting up straight, shaking her head. “What a set of pipes.”

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