From my vantage point on the ship’s deck, I could hear the jaunty sea shanty playing over the speakers, blending with the hum of laughter and conversation from the boarding passengers. A soft creak sounded underfoot as the ship swayed ever so slightly, and I gripped the polished wooden railing, allowing its smooth, cool surface to steady me.
“Dude, I’m telling you. I’m friends with the Captain of this ship, and she said I could have two tickets anytime I want,” a whiny voice cut through the din.
I shifted my gaze to the commotion at the boarding ramp, where a tall man with overly styled black hair gestured animatedly. His blue eyes darted between the ticket taker andthe blonde woman at his side, who tugged at his elbow with visible embarrassment.
“Sorry, sir,” the ticket taker said firmly. “You’re not on the list.”
The man’s jaw tightened, and the blonde woman murmured something that didn’t quite reach me over the crowd. My focus sharpened when I caught her saying his name:Jesse.
It had to be him. An arsehole named Jesse asking for my Kendra?
My pulse quickened as irritation churned in my chest. I shoved off the railing and made my way down the ramp, my boots hitting the wooden planks with steady, determined thuds. When I reached the ticket taker, I tapped his shoulder.
“I’ll take care of this,” I said. My newest employee—Decker—looked relieved and stepped aside to scan tickets for the next guests.
I motioned to Jesse and his date. “Step over here, please.”
“We’re so sorry for the commotion,” the woman said quickly, her cheeks flushing pink. “We’ll be on our way?—”
“True, don’t be ridiculous!” Jesse interrupted with a smirk. He turned to me with an air of smug entitlement, his posture screaming that he thought he owned the world. “This man here looks like he’s large and in charge. He’ll sort it all out, and we’ll have a laugh with Kendra this evening. Right, my guy?”
“Sir,” I said evenly, my lips curving into a customer service smile. “I am notyourguy.”
His smirk widened. “No need to be so formal. We’re friends of Kendra. We go way, way back.”
“Is that so?” I asked, tilting my head.
“Absolutely,” he said, leaning closer to confide some grand secret. “Man to man, Kendra was my first.”
His words hit me like a cannonball to the gut, sending a hot surge of rage through me. Why the hell would this guy announce that here, of all places?
I wanted to bash his face in. I wanted to fight for her honor, and I didn’t even know her.
As I glanced at his smug face, I knew punching him wouldn’t get anywhere. There was only one way to hurt a man who strung along his so-called best friend for years.
I smiled—a strained, tooth-cracking smile. “What a coincidence. Kendra will be my last.”
True gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my!”
Jesse blinked, his smirk faltering. “What?”
“That’s so romantic!” True gushed, clinging to Jesse’s arm. He flexed instinctively, his ego visibly bruised.
Jesse frowned, looking between us as though trying to piece together a joke he wasn’t in on. “I’m missing something. What’s romantic?”
I clapped him on the back with enough force to make him stumble. “My engagement. Kendra is my fiancée. She might have been your first, but she’ll be my last. Now, let’s see about getting you two a seat at dinner.”
So much for smooth sailing.
The ship launched from the dock with its usual fanfare, the sharp whistle from the Captain signaling our departure. Lanterns flickered along the railings, casting warm, golden light that reflected off the polished deck. Guests mingled with drinks in hand, laughing at scripted pirate jokes and cheering for Pegleg Pete’s exaggerated tales of high-seas adventure.
Despite the lively atmosphere, I couldn’t shake the weight in my chest. I’d thrown down the gauntlet with Jesse, and now I had to face Kendra. Dinner would be served when we reached a certain point. But right before that, I’m sure Kendra would serve my nuts on a silver platter when I told her what I’d done.
It hadn’t even been a day before I broke my promise to her. That had to be a new record.
By the time we reached the anchoring point, my nerves were frayed. The scent of salt and seaweed mingled with the savory aroma of dinner, but I barely noticed as I slowly climbed the narrow staircase to the pilot house.
Dead man limping.
