Page 57 of Not that Sea-Rious
She thrust her hand out over the table.Which awarded her a collection of confused looks.
Rolling her eyes, she groaned.“Get up.Come on.We’re going to do a ‘go team’ kind of thing.”
Tina shook her head but laughed as she stood and placed her hand over Carolyn’s.Joyce shrugged and did the same.Marissa joined them and was surprised when Beau’s hand covered hers.
“Okay, on the count of three, Mrs.Erich Houston.Ready?”She beamed as she hollered numbers.
Their hands went up and down before finally exploding upward as they all shouted, “Mrs.Erich Houston!”
Laughing, the group collected the few carry-on bags they’d brought with them and shuffled out of the dining room and back to real life.Beau looped his arm around Marissa’s shoulders as they walked.
They may have boarded the ship alone, but to anyone looking at them now, they were a couple.The question was whether that was a reality or just a vacation fantasy.Only time would tell.
36
Beau
Afantasticeveningfollowedbya wonderful breakfast had Beau feeling optimistic.He had a week to get his life in order and figure out how he and Marissa could continue to see each other.Honestly, the whole thing with Megan felt like a distant memory.Their unexpected breakup hadn’t even been a week ago, but he looked forward to bigger and better things.
The only discomfort he foresaw was continuing the business with Jordan.As partners in their two-man consulting firm, there wasn’t much hope for distance, but it could work.Beau would find a way.They didn’t have to be in the same room often.They had different contracts and managed separate franchises.
In actuality, they almost never met up in person.Everything could be handled via email.There were plenty of people in business together who didn’t particularly like one another.
It was doable.
It had to be.
He didn’t have an alternative.A lot of his assets were tied up in this business.They were grown-ass men.This didn’t have to be any messier than it already was.
Filled with positive vibes while arm in arm with Marissa, Beau held his head high as they strolled toward the luggage.Parting briefly, they each secured bags and assisted the others in their group with what they needed.With little drama, he escorted Marissa to the waiting van.
While the driver loaded their luggage and her friends worked out who would sit where, Beau cupped her face and gazed into her soft brown eyes.This wouldn’t be the last time.He’d already secured another opportunity to enjoy her company.
Grinning, he placed a soft peck to her forehead.“I’ll see you at dinner?”
Beaming back at him, she nodded.“Sounds like a plan.”
They shared an all-too-brief kiss, where he squeezed her tight against him before Carolyn barked, “We have to go.My mom’s waiting.”
Chuckling and licking his bottom lip, Beau reluctantly released Marissa.He stepped back and watched as she climbed into the van.Once she was inside, he carefully closed the door.With his hand resting on the handle of his luggage, he let out a sigh as the van pulled away.
The vacation was officially over.
Now he had to face the music.He pulled out his cell phone and saw he had several unread text messages, voicemails, and missed calls from both Jordan and Megan.He had no interest in hearing anything they had to say, so he deleted everything while walking to his car.
Tapping the screen, he found his ex’s name and pressed the button and brought it to his ear.After several rings, it went to her voicemail.Good.Not talking to her was the most desired outcome.
“Hey.It’s me.I’m headed over to the apartment so I can pack some of my things.You can have everything else.I don’t want any furniture or anything.You can have it all.I just wantmy stuff.If you could, I’d like it if you weren’t there when I arrived.I should be about forty-five minutes.I’m only asking for an hour to collect my things.I’ll speak to the landlord on Monday and remove myself from the lease.”
Satisfied he’d done what he could, he tucked his phone in his pocket and found his keys.Whistling, feeling light on his feet, he sauntered through the parking lot.
Swirling his keys around his fingers, he pressed his thumb against the button, and his black Nissan Altima blinked and whooped as it unlocked.Heading to the trunk, he opened it and shoved what little he grabbed the night he left aside.
His important papers, birth certificate, social security card, bonds, and bank statements were stored in the fire-resistant lockbox.A duffel of some clothes and a stack of books now were his only possessions.Hopefully, he could pack the rest of his life in the car before he headed off to his new beginning.
Marissa
“So now what?”Joyce asked from the rear row behind Marissa.
