Chapter 7
I hate toreport that shipboard friends can be the worst four-letter c-word blocks.
I only got in two dips of my tongue when the cabin door starts rattling like there’s an emergency.
The rattling also knocks a few needed pennies back into my brain, so I quickly zip my lips and cross my arms while Jordan answers the door.
Sven, my erstwhile date, asks Jordan for shaving cream and a razor. He looks worse for the wear from their all-night foursome with bleary eyes, a scruffy face, and droopy bedhead.
While Jordan goes to the head to fetch his stuff, I quiz Sven.
“What exactly were you four up to last night, and how is it you met up with Jordan and the two scientists?”
“They came to my cabin after you went to bed,” Sven explains, gesturing next door. “Talked me into a romping game of Chinese mahjong.”
Ah, it all makes sense now. Mahjong is a four-person game sort of like the card game bridge, but played with clickety-clackety tiles.
“But the noise. All that whomping and thumping, shouts and screams. Didn’t you know I was trying to sleep?”
“I’m not saying anything more.” Sven covers his mouth and tries to suppress a fit of chuckles. “Bet you thought it was strip mahjong.”
“Why all the moaning and bouncing?”
“There was money involved,” Sven says darkly. “Lots of it, and alcohol. I plead the fifth.”
He’s about to say more when Jordan comes out of the head with the extra shaving supplies.
“Do you two know each other?” I ask Jordan. “Because I find it suspicious how Sven just happens to have a bunk next door.”
“Nothing to suspect,” Jordan said. “I met him when I first got on board. How do you think it was so easy for me to get you a first-cruise-night date?”
I roll my eyes. “Lucky you. You didn’t even have to play an hour of shuffleboard.”
“Actually, Alice and Sylvester invited me and you to join them this evening for shuffleboard.” He wiggles his eyebrows as if shuffleboard by the sea is the latest sexy sport.
“I’d rather stick to Jade’s schedule,” I retort. “She doesn’t have anything in the evening, but I’m sure we can find something else to do.”
“I can take you to the Christmas Ball they’re having tonight,” Sven offers. “You don’t have to wear a costume, but I’m planning on dressing up as Thor with the hammer, and Jordan’s going to be Loki.”
“I didn’t know Thor and Loki were Christmas themed,” I quip out the side of my mouth. “I think I prefer Sylvester or a member of the Singaporean water polo team. Think you can arrange a date for me?”
“You don’t need a date to go to the Christmas Ball,” Jordan says. “We’re much more liberated now, and everyone can go on their own or with a group of friends.”
“What’s wrong?” Sven snatches the shaving cream and razor from Jordan. “You afraid of my hammer?”
“No need for brute force and a hammer,” Jordan says, jutting his hips. “Not when I have a mistletoe spear that women find irresistible.”
“Oh, stop the testosterone,” I cry. “Sven, if you don’t have a roommate, why don’t you take Jordan and let me have the cabin to myself?”
“I intend to have company every night in my cabin.” Sven gives me a meaningful look. “You should have come over last night.”
“No, thank you. Go pound your hammer somewhere else.” I turn him around and shove him from the room to the accompaniment of a sizzling snicker from Jordan.
“You.” I point an accusing finger at my roommate. “Are not to snicker. I refuse to kiss someone who snickers. If you’re picking up that habit from Alice, you can bunk with her. You hear?”
He snickers and lies down on his bunk with his hands behind his head. “Make me stop. There’s mistletoe up there.”
I’m not that easy.
