Page 46 of Not that Sea-Rious
Beau
ColorBeausurprised,butflowers were available on board the ship.He wasn’t sure why he didn’t think they would be a thing, but he had.Thankfully, he was wrong.Browsing through the options in the combination sweet shop/florist, he debated between classic red roses and a vibrant tropical bouquet featuring a bird of paradise.
This was theirfirstofficial date.He didn’t want to put too much pressure on the situation since it was also theirlast, but going out with a bang appealed to him.Marissa was a wonderful woman who had gifted him the exceptional vacation he never expected to have.She was a beacon of light in a dark time for him.Somehow, that woman had escorted him out of mourning and into a new phase of his life.
She deserved some goddamn romance—even if it was for a single night.Glancing over his shoulder, he looked out the window of the store, across the hall, and into the gift shop.They had everything from cheap tchotchkes like plastic snow globes featuring the cruise ship to expensive, glittery gemstone jewelry.
Flowers, yes.A turquoise diamond?Not so much.He wanted to show her a magical evening—not go so over-the-top he freaked her out.Besides, he was actually on a budget.
“I’ll take the tropical bouquet,” he said to the clerk behind the counter.
“It really is beautiful,” she agreed as she tapped at her screen.
Marissa
The A-line dress with the large pink hibiscus print was Marissa’s absolute favorite outfit.It gave her the illusion of the perfect silhouette.The thick band at the waist accented the thinnest part of her body.The wide white elastic belt she added drove that point home.
Staring at herself in the mirror as she added a chunky necklace, she considered the amount of cleavage she showed.Was it too much?The neckline definitely plunged, and her bra worked miracles, offering her girls an amount of perk she hadn’t seen in a decade.
Nah.This was just the right amount.Besides, her breasts weren’t anything he hadn’t seen before.
Snickering, she added the matching chandelier earrings she had purchased earlier.Joyce and Carolyn made it their mission to do her hair.Long and straight, Marissa preferred to wear it down or in a simple ponytail.They weren’t having any of that.
Between the two of them, a curling iron, and a bunch of products, Marissa had to admit they were miracle workers.They’d taken half of her hair and pulled it up and away from her face in a high pony.Soft beach waves cascaded around her features and down her back.She reminded herself of an ad for the cruise ship.
Satisfied she had scaled up on her simple beach dress, she shifted her focus to her waiting, gawking friends.Their wide smiles and oohs and ahhs sent her back in time.“You’re looking at me like I’m about to go to prom.”
Tina raised her phone and snapped a picture.“Beautiful.”
Bringing her hand to her forehead, she couldn’t help but laugh.“Jesus.Should I have gotten him a boutonniere or something?”
“Stop it.”Joyce shook her head and approached.She bounced Marissa’s hair a bit as she admired her.“You’re stunning.It’s the perfect outfit for the date.You’re right.It works a million times better than the black lace one.”
“I don’t know,” Carolyn said on a sigh.“If she wants to put those condoms to good use, maybe she should have the come-fuck-me dress on.”
“What?Like that cleavage isn’t enough?”Tina scoffed.
“Seriously?”Marissa glanced down and placed a hand over her boobs.“Is it too much?”
“No.”Joyce rubbed Marissa’s arms.“Don’t listen to those bitches.You look fabulous.”
Chewing on her bottom lip, Marissa turned back to her reflection and second-guessed every choice she’d made with the outfit.Could she redo everything?
“Should I put on the black one?”
“No.”Tina sidled up to her.“I was joking.This is way better.”
Carolyn joined the group.“Just know he’s going to be hungry after dinner, and you’re still supposed to meet up with us for karaoke.”
Nodding through the nerves vibrating underneath her skin, Marissa inhaled deeply.She hadn’t been this anxious for a date since she was fourteen.Which was absurd.She and Beau got along splendidly.There was no mystery here.The sex had been stupendous.They liked each other.Fretting about the evening made absolutely no sense.Yet her body was apprehensive.Everything would be wonderful.They’d have a great time and maybe even some orgasms.What more could anyone ask for?
That was the problem.Itwouldgo well, and it’d be the last opportunity for them to be together.
Before she could plummet down that rabbit hole for the thirtieth time, a knock rapped at their door.All four women jumped, startled, and turned toward the sound.Were they waiting for it to open on its own?
It didn’t.
Obviously.
