Page 9 of Not that Sea-Rious
As the server arrived and handed out drinks, Carolyn eyed the man beside Marissa.“This better be good,” she threatened.
Chuckling, he raised his hands.“I didn’t order it for you.”
Carolyn narrowed her eyes as she brought the glass, drizzled with chocolate syrup, to her lips.Collectively, the group held their breath, waiting forherverdict.
It was definitely bad form to piss off the bride-to-be during her bachelorette party, but Marissa supposed the guy was aware of that, and considering he shifted with them, he seemed as concerned as the rest of them.
Carolyn’s eyes widened, and her face brightened.“It’s phenomenal.I’m not drinking anything else on the ship.”
The group let out a collective breath of relief as they each took a turn sipping their drinks.
“Thank you so much for recommending it,” Carolyn said before pursing her lips.“I’m Carolyn, by the way.”She jutted her hand toward him.
“Beau,” he said, accepting it and offering a brief shake.
The group went around, introducing themselves before the dealer announced, “Place your bets.”
Beau.Marissa had never met a Beau before.She liked how it sounded.
6
Beau
Itcould’vebeenthechocolate martinis or winning quite a bit of money at the roulette wheel, but Beau’s good mood was probably because of the company.Somehow, after two hours, he chuckled more than he’d ever anticipated he would aboard this ship.The group of women around him were a hoot and a half.He’d like to meet the person who couldn’t enjoy their company.
Especially the ball of fire beside him, Marissa.She had long, straight brown hair, magnetic and joyful brown eyes.Her smile brightened the room.Her quick wit and sharp tongue often had him laughing despite himself.
Unfortunately, it seemed the bride and one maid might have had too much fun that night.Joyce, the lady with the pink chips, could barely keep her eyes open.Carolyn swayed on her stool, and her novelty veil barely hung on.Really, it was a mystery how that thing was still in her hair.Tina, the lone sober person, definitely kept her afloat.
Beau leaned into Marissa.“I think it might be best for your friends to head to bed,” he whispered.Disappointment lurked in his chest as the suggestion left his lips.
Snickering, she peered over at them and pursed her lips.“Yeah.If not, someone will revisit dinner.”She shivered.“No one wants that.”
“Do you need help to get to your room?”he asked louder so the entire group could hear him.
“I can walk,” Carolyn slurred incredulously.
Tina, Marissa, and Beau exchanged looks.Maybe she could, but her steps definitely wouldn’t be in a straight line.
“Cash us out.”Tina made a circular motion with her hand.
The dealer nodded, and Beau realized he’d been included in that order.To be fair, he’d just offered to go with them, so the dealer collecting his chips to exchange them made sense.Though he wasn’t quite sure what he’d do with the rest of his night.
“What time is it?”Joyce grumbled.
“It’s got to be like four in the morning.”Carolyn circled her arms around Tina and leaned into her.Beau wasn’t convinced this was intentional.
“It’s ten thirty,” the dealer announced.
Carolyn gaped.“What?”She looked around at her friends.“That is way too early.”Her disappointment was palpable.“It’s my bachelorette weekend.”
Her whine tugged at his heartstrings.To be fair, he didn’t want the night to end, either.This was the best evening he’d had in ages.
“And if we go to bed now, we can possibly avoid tomorrow’s hangovers.We have a full day of celebrating ahead of us,” Tina reminded as she patted the bride’s arm.
Carolyn broke free of her friend and stumbled closer to the table.“No.I want to gamble some more.”
Joyce groaned.“I’m tapping out.”She waved a hand, turned, and stumbled her way out of the casino.
