Page 12 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
Her lack of enthusiasm didn’t appear to dampen his spirits, she noted.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll join you.”
“Great.” His smile was so big she feared his cheeks must ache.
Avery wondered if she was being led into a situation she would later regret. Impulsively, she’d agreed to his idea, and already she was having second thoughts. Rick had also had a lot of charm, had always been eager to spend time with her, too. But that hadn’t stopped him from breaking her heart. Still, Harrison seemed sincere, and what could a short conversation hurt while they shared their snacks?
“I’ll need to collect my overnight bag.”
“I’ll get it for you,” he offered quickly, as if he feared she’d change her mind.
“It’s okay. Let me explain what I’m doing to my two new friends.” She handed Harrison the popcorn and went to retrieve the items she’d left behind.
“We saved your space,” Olivia said, hopping down from where Avery had previously been sitting.
“Thank you. I met a new friend, and he asked me to sit with him,” she explained as she reached for her rolling carry-on.
The middle-aged woman who sat to her left glanced up. “We can keep your seat in case you want to return,” she said. “I’m Virginia,” she added. “Do be careful, those sailors can be real charmers.”
She appeared to have the same caution that Avery’s grandmother had given her regarding men in the Navy.
“Thank you, Virginia. My name is Avery.”
“Are you leaving?” Olivia wanted to know.
“Not really. I’m just sharing my popcorn with that man over there.”
Olivia leaned forward as though to get a better look. She smiled, exposing her two missing front teeth. “He’s cute.”
“Is he?” Avery asked, pretending she hadn’t noticed.
“Will you come back once you eat your popcorn?” Olivia asked. Her short legs swung back and forth anxiously.
“Would you like me to?”
“Yes, please. I like you and so does my mommy.”
“Then I’ll keep my bag right here,” Avery said, pleased to have an excuse to return if she felt it was necessary. Why had she been so willing to give up her seat? Virginia was right. She needed to be wary.
When she joined Harrison, she heard the tail end of his conversation with his friends, which was basically telling them to back off. Avery was with him, and he wasn’t willing to share her company. She pretended not to have heard, but her defenses went up like a border wall.
“I brought napkins,” Avery said, breaking into the conversation.
Harrison greeted her with a warm welcome and an introduction. “This disreputable pair are my shipmates Dan and Kyle,” he said, and motioned to the two other men.
“I’m pleased to meet you both.”
“Likewise,” the one named Kyle responded with a huge smile.
Harrison glared back at him and Kyle’s grin instantly vanished.
Taking two napkins, she and Harrison divided the popcorn and Skittles evenly.
“What about your friends?” Avery asked, feeling guilty to be eating in front of them.
“I had a late breakfast,” Dan explained, brushing off the offer.
“And I ate on base, so no worries,” Kyle added. “You two go ahead and enjoy.”
