Page 88 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“Are you shitting me?”
I snap my eyes to him, fearing I’ve overstepped my mark. “No. I just thought?—”
“Riles, you’re an angel!”
“I am?”
“Yes,” he says, leaning closer, our cheeks almost pressed. “I tried to book that tour, but it was full. I was pissed I missed it.”
Thrilled he’s appreciative, my face flushes. And if I were an angel, no doubt I’d flutter my wings with pride. “Well, you didn’t miss it,” I say, winking at him. “And, you’re welcome.”
Brittany shushes us, so I apologize and refocus on Paul.
“Tomorrow is our first formal night, so please don your finest attire and cruise in style. Captain Katarina has also informed me there’s a chance we will see the Northern Lights, sometime around midnight. Given it is late summer here, we’re very fortunate for the opportunity. So, set your alarms. Glue your eyelids open. Drink lots of coffee. Whatever you do, be awake and on deck. You will not want to miss this extraordinary phenomenon.”
I squeal like a banshee, then cover my mouth with my hand and murmur to Riley, “I’m so excited! I really want to see the Northern Lights.” I squeal again, this time more subdued. “Oh my God! I hope we do.”
Brittany glares at me as if I’m an idiot, and I’m baffled, because who wouldn’t want to see the Aurora Borealis.
“What?”I mouth to her.
She rolls her eyes in response, so I sip the last of my drink and ignore her. She’s starting to grate my nerves anyway.
“Okay, cruiselings,” Paul continues, “who wants to play Truth or Dare?”
A bazillion hands shoot into the air, mine included. Riley’s remains on his lap, so I lift it too and wave it about, his tense muscles fighting my enthusiasm.
“Wave, damn it,” I hiss, flapping harder. “I want that trophy.”
He grunts and reluctantly waves.
“Excellent!” Paul says, pacing the stage. “Now, how this works is we will randomly choose a cabin number, and if you’re in thetheatre and want to participate, please make your way to the stage. Don’t be shy, cruiselings. We have some brilliant prizes up for grabs, including a relaxation package for two in our Lotus Spa, which is valued at fifteen hundred dollars.”
“Oooh.” I drop our hands. “That sounds nice.”
Riley’s face crumples.
“What? It does! I love spas.”
“Have you all met Carlos, the best trivia host on the high seas?” Paul asks.
Carlos skips onto the stage and performs an animated twirl before waving.
I nudge Riley. “Look, it’s Carlos!”
Paul applauds his colleague. “He will be my assistant, and that fancy iPad he’s holding will select our lucky cabins. Are you all ready?”
I holler, “Yes!” and Brittany turns in her seat and looks at me as if I have feces on my face.
“What?”I mouth again.
Shaking her head, she shields her face with her hand, so again, I ignore her—she’s a sourpuss.
“Let’s see who our first participants will be, shall we?” Paul drums his feet on the stage as Carlos taps his iPad.
I sit straighter with anticipation, craning my neck to get a better view.
“Cabin number… 10143,” Paul announces, trumpets blaring from the speakers.
