Page 25 of Not that Sea-Rious
Taking a moment, Tina settled back on her lounger, sipped at her drink, and placed the object of Marissa’s curiosity in her lap.With the group’s eyes on her, she took her time savoring the beverage.
“What is it?”Joyce urged.
“Was there a sale on something?”Carolyn asked.“I know they do that dollar an inch thingy.Oh!We should get matching anklets!”
“Yes!”Joyce agreed, glancing back and forth between her friends.“Was that today?”
“It’s in an hour,” Tina said.
“Should we get gold or silver?”Carolyn asked as she tapped her finger against her chin.
“Silver will go better with our bridesmaid dresses,” Joyce suggested.
“True.”Carolyn nodded.
Relaxing in her chair, letting her friends get off track, Marissa decided whatever Tina purchased was private.She might have gotten her Aunt Flo and needed tampons or something.Either way, if her friend didn’t want to share, it was none of Marissa’s business.
But why was her friend smiling like that?No one was that happy on their period.
Marissa took a deep pull from her drink, closed her eyes, and lifted her chin toward the sun.The warmth of its rays heated her skin as she relaxed.If she didn’t pay attention to Tina, Marissa couldn’t be anxious about the bag.
“I may or may not have run into a rather morose-looking ginger at the sports bar,” Tina announced.
Carolyn and Joyce immediately quieted their conversation about jewelry.The two of them leaned in closer to Tina.Marissa did her best to stay put.If she was talking about Beau—let’s be honest, she was—Marissa didn’t have to be desperate about it.
Wait.
Why was Beau sad?
“Seems his cruise experience isn’t going how he’d hoped,” Tina added.
Doing her best to pretend she wasn’t interested, Marissa stayed still.His enjoyment wasn’t her concern.It was a one-off.They weren’t dating.His mood and his time on the ship were none of her business.
“So, I figured I’d help a guy out,” Tina said as she tossed something in Marissa’s direction.
Reflexively, Marissa caught the rectangular box.She didn’t need to turn it over to know what it was.Sitting up, she glared at her friend.
Wearing a confident smile, Tina arched a brow and took another sip of her drink.
“What did you get?”Joyce asked innocently.
Carolyn was too busy cackling beside her to answer.
“You’re assuming a lot,” Marissa said.
Tina only cocked her head.
“What makes you think we’re even going to see each other again?”
“Will someone just show me what it is?”Joyce interjected.
Marissa tossed the box over her shoulder toward Joyce.
“The boat is only so big.You two won’t be able to avoid each other forever,” Tina pointed out.
“Ohhh,” Joyce said, seeming to be oblivious to the conversation.“Smart.”
“I’m notavoidinghim,” Marissa challenged.
