Page 22 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

I narrow my eyes at her. “How long have you felt this way?”

She shakes her head. “Girl, probably since you started talking about Evil Ike.”

“And you’re just now telling me this?” Being coddled isn’t something I want, and now I question what other mistakes I’ve made that people haven’t clued me into.

“Rachelle, sometimes we have to figure out things on our own. Would you have stood up to Ike six months ago if I’d said something?”

I chew on that for a moment and shake my head. “Probably not.”

“See, this bucket list has been the best thing for you.”

I give her a half-smile. “How do you know it’s the bucket list that’s working?”

“Well, it might not be the list entirely that’s making you more assertive, but you’re making some serious progress. All the incredible things you’ve done have to help in some way.”

I turn to her and say, “Well, there’s no way I’ll be going paint balling again.”

“Not even if you get to shoot Landon with a hundred paint balls?” Tiffany is teasing, but the idea makes me wonder.

Seeing him twice in the past few days has been in my head ever since he dropped me off at my house. I don’t want to admit to myself that I miss him, that all the work I’ve done to get him out of my heart seems to have been rewound like an old mixed cassette tape.

“I don’t know. Let’s go enjoy this blissful vacation before we have to remember about the real world.” Then again, the bed in our cabin looks inviting. Is it bad that I want to nap again on my first cruise ever?

Tiffany laughs. “I don’t know about you, but beaches are in the real world.”

“You know what I mean.”

I haven’t given myself much time to dwell on what I would do as a career since I left the call center Wednesday. Instead of applying for positions, like I should’ve done, my bright idea was to try out my skills in demolition for what used to be the pantry. It helped me get out a few emotions of frustration about seeing Landon yet again.

My poor roommates. Hopefully they’ll survive with the mess for a week or two.

We put our things away and head out onto the deck.

“Do you see the size of those pools?” Tiffany says. “And those water slides. We’re definitely planning some time for those.”

From the looks of it, the top of the slide is higher than I’d like, but I’m trying everything at least once while aboard.

“Is that a racetrack?” I ask, walking over to see several small go-karts parked on the track.

“There’s also an indoor movie theater, a skydiving simulator, and a spa,” someone says to my right. It’s a woman who looks to be a few years older than Tiffany and me. She laughs and says, “Sorry to interrupt. You just looked so excited.”

“It all sounds amazing,” Tiffany says. “And if you’re going to try out everything, Rachelle, this is going to be the best vacation ever.”

“I hope you enjoy it.” The woman walks away and links arms with a larger man. She rests her head against his shoulder and guilt seeps into my stomach. I should’ve been here with Landon. That could’ve been my life.

We walk along the deck and take in the sights. Everything seems like a dream, and as the ship leaves port, I stare back to shore as though Landon will magically appear, giving me those puppy-dog eyes, and I feel even worse.

As it gets closer to dinner, we head back to our rooms to get changed.

“I’m so excited to do all the things,” Tiffany says. “Whatever good luck you have to win this cruise, I’m here for it!”

I laugh, trying to focus enough to put mascara on. I haven’t bothered the last month, but it’s kind of nice getting all dressed up again.

“Isn’t it crazy that our parents have been on countless cruises and this is our first time?” I say, applying even strokes to my lashes.

“Technically this isn’t my first time, but the last cruise I went on I had food poisoning from one of the fish entrees. Remind me not to eat those tonight or any night.”

“No problem there. Then I won’t have to smell your stinky breath.” I’m laughing until something hits me in the shoulder. I glance down to see it’s a shoe.

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