I get stuck into my dinner as they tell me about meeting at the hospital where they both work. They then regale me with stories about keeping their relationship secret in the early days. As the conversation continues, I find myself opening up, sharing stories of my life on the farm and learning about their lives in return. Their easygoing nature is contagious, and soon enough, I find myself laughing and genuinely enjoying their company.
“See?” Kate grins, nudging me playfully. “You’re doing just fine, Kyle.”
“Thanks to both of you,” I say. “I’m really glad we met.”
“Us too,” Lindy agrees, raising her glass once more. “To new friends and unforgettable experiences!”
“Cheers!” We all clink our glasses together and it occurs to me that being out of my comfort zone isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be and I’m having a good time.
“Why don’t you join us for a drink at the bar?” Kate suggests once we’ve finished our meals.
I hesitate for a moment, my shyness rearing its head once more. But something in their warm smiles and easy demeanor pushes me to take a chance.
“Sure,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “That sounds like fun.”
“Great!” Lindy exclaims. “Let’s go!”
As we walk together towards the bar, I think of the contrast between our personalities. Both Kate and Lindy are outgoing and vibrant, seemingly at ease in any social situation. Their laughter is loud and genuine. I envy that ease, wondering if I’ll ever be able to let go of my own inhibitions.
“I assume you’ve never been on a cruise before?” Kate asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“No, this is my first time. My brother convinced me to try it, said it would be good for me to try new things and explore a bit.”
“Your brother’s a smart guy,” Lindy chimes in. “You’ll have a great time, just hang with us.”
We reach the bar, which is bustling with energy. Music plays loudly through the speakers, and people move about, chatting and laughing. The atmosphere is lively, and I feel a touch of excitement.
As soon as we settle into our seats in a small booth, a waiter approaches and takes our drink orders. Not long after our drinks arrive, so does a handsome guy. He’s all muscles and tan, and white teeth flashing as he smiles. Or is that a smirk? Although good looking, he’s flashy and over-confident, and that in itself puts me on edge.
“Hey there.” He slides into the booth next to me without an invitation, sliding his arm along the back of the seat.
I’m sure my eyes are wide as I stare at him unsure what to say.
“You sure are gorgeous,” he says, saving me from having to speak. “I’m Derek.”
“Uh, h-hi,” I stammer, feeling uncomfortably cornered. I glance at Kate and Lindy, hoping for some sort of rescue.
“Hey, Derek,” Kate interjects smoothly, flashing him a friendly smile. “We’re actually in the middle of a conversation here. Maybe you could give us some space?”
“Maybe later then?” he says, ignoring Kate and giving me the once over, sending a shiver down my spine. And not in a good way.
He pushes up and moves on, but the lingering discomfort remains. I prefer a slow and steady approach, and maybe an invitation, not someone throwing themselves in front of me uninvited.
“Tell us more about your vineyard, Kyle,” Lindy says, obviously trying to steer the conversation away from the encounter.
“Uh, well, it’s been in our family for generations,” I begin, easily slipping into talking about the familiar topic. “My brother and I mostly grow grapes for wine production. It’s a tough business and hard work, but it’s rewarding.” I tell them about the daily routine of working the land.
“Sounds an idyllic life,” Kate chimes in. “I’ve always thought I’d love to live in the country.”
Lindy snorts. “Since when? You haven’t seen a sunrise in ten years, and you love nothing more than the fast pace of city life.”
Kate frowns. “I could totally make a tree-change. A cosy cabin, a fireplace, a veggie patch, chooks—”
Lindy’s chuckle turns into a full-blown laugh. “Oh my God, Kyle, you’ve created a monster.”
Our conversation continues, touching on everything from work to hobbies. Despite my initial hesitation, I find myself enjoying their company and feel increasingly at ease in their presence. I’m glad I’m pushing my boundaries. I hadn’t realised how much I needed this—the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, the promise of finding something special.
It’s not long after that we decide it’s time to head back to our cabins. We weave our way through the still-partying crowd, making our way towards the elevators. When we arrive outside my cabin, I turn to the two woman who I now count as friends.
