Page 41 of Not that Sea-Rious
She’d already grown attached to the man, and the fact they had only one day left together made her heart hurt.His smile, his corny jokes, his easygoing nature, his talents in the bedroom, the way he looked at her—everything about him made her want more.Spending additional time with him would only increase that desire.If they were going to part ways when they got off the ship, she needed to nip this in the bud now.
“I’m not that drunk,” Joyce whispered as she took a seat beside her.“And I don’t think you are either.”
Marissa peered at her friend from under her own arm but didn’t speak.
“We’ve all been joking about this thing between you and Beau.It’s super adorable, honestly, but I’m pretty sure none of us have sat down and had a genuine conversation with you about it.”
That was true.
“So, here I am.”She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.“Tell me what’s going on.”
“I don’t have a clue,” Marissa admitted with a groan.
Joyce nodded.“Even a blind bat can see there is a spark between you, but the moment anyone teases you about a date, you freak out.What’s up with that?”
Marissa rubbed at her temples.So many questions swarmed around in her head, and Joyce put a voice to them.“I wish I knew.”
Her friend patted her thigh.“Do you like him?”
Meeting Joyce’s eyes, Marissa frowned.“Probably too much for someone I’ve only met three days ago.”
Joyce nodded.
“Definitely way more than I should for a situation that has an expiration date.”
“Aw, sweetie.”Joyce opened her arms and wrapped them around Marissa.
Accepting the offered affection, Marissa rested her head on her friend’s chest and allowed the woman to comfort her.Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and waited for the turmoil within her to subside.
Joyce patted her back maternally as she rocked ever so slightly.“It doesn’t have tobeanything.”
“I’m aware,” Marissa said as her eyes burned with tears.“But what if I want it to be?”
“Then you’ll just have to talk to him about that over dinner.”
26
Marissa
PoorTina.Shedidn’tdeserve to be sleeping beside Marissa.It’d been the most fitful night of rest Marissa had in ages.Fraught with short dreams where Beau laughed at her for proclaiming her affections for him.She tossed, turned, and probably kicked Tina all night.
Despite that, in the morning, when Marissa finally gave up, Tina didn’t say a word.Instead, she offered cuddles.She didn’t ask questions, just gave support.
Marissa was truly lucky to have these friends.
Considering they planned to skip the pool in favor of the spa, perhaps she could convince them to get room service for breakfast.If she wasn’t wandering around the ship, she couldn’t run into Beau.
After she exited the bathroom and opened her mouth to make the suggestion, a knock sounded at the door.
Had they known?
Turning to face the door as Carolyn skipped toward it, Marissa couldn’t help but wonder if her friends were mind readers.What did they order for her?
“Good morning,” the bride-to-be sang as she opened the door.
“Morning.”
Oh no.
