Joshua gave a soft laugh. “When we first met, I wouldn’t have believed such a thing was possible. The last thing you wanted was a relationship ofanykind.”
“Oh, I resisted it. But you called my bluff when you left me and ran home to Illinois.” He shot Joshua an amused glance. “Pretty slick move.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t calculated. It was panic, pure and simple. I was in love with a man who would rather take a sharp stick to the eye than be in a relationship. You reallywereMr. Hardparty.”
Colin shrugged. “My hard party days consisted mainly of innumerable bouts of mindless self-medicating.”
“To keep from being bored?”
Colin recaptured Joshua’s hand. “To numb my pain.”
* * *
By the timethey returned to their staterooms, their luggage was waiting outside the door. While Colin unpacked, Joshua cautiously inspected the balcony, eyeing the railing with suspicion. “Is this thing sturdy?” he asked, rattling the balcony’s railing. “I don't want any accidental plunges into icy Alaskan waters."
Laughing, Colin moved to join him and wrapped Joshua in his arms. "No worries, my love. I promise to keep you safe from the icy Alaskan watersandoverenthusiastic gay partygoers."
“I’m not the likely target for overenthusiastic gay partygoers,” he told Colin, patting his chest. “That would beyou, Mr. Hot and Handsome.”
Colin released him and turned away, scoffing his distaste. “They’ll target me at their own risk.”
* * *
David insistedthey eat dinner in the formal dining room, and after a bit of persuasion, his companions reluctantly agreed not only to the dining area but to donning their spiffy attire for the event.
“OK, Professor,” Nate told his husband, adjusting his tie in the bathroom mirror. “I’ll let you talk me into wearing this suit because it’s our first night at sea.” He wheeled to face David. “But tomorrow night, it’s the all-you-can-eat buffet on the Lido deck where you can show upnakedif you want.”
David waved away Nate’s suggestion. “Naked!”
Colin shrugged. “I practicallylivein a suit, so I hardly even notice I’m wearing one.”
“You’re an attorney!” Nate exclaimed. “Unlike you, I wear jeans and a T-shirt to work.”
“Is that standard professor’s attire?” Joshua asked, laughing.
“It is inmyclassroom,” Nate told him, then turned to his husband. “Well?” he asked, hands outspread. “Am I spiffy enough for your high-class dining experience?”
“It’s just for tonight,” David assured his companions. “I wanted to eat in the dining room at leastonce. We can do the Lido deck for the rest of the cruise if you like.”
“What Ilike,” Colin told him, “is the idea of the all-you-can-eat buffet.”
“They’ll go broke with you up there scarfing down all the food,” Nate remarked, taking David’s arm.
“Especially if they offerpie,” Joshua added, grinning.
After dinner, they wandered the decks, taking in the party atmosphere and gazing over the moonlit waters. “Let’s grab a drink,” Colin suggested. “This ship has to have a bar or two.”
“Try a bar orfifteen,” David corrected.
Lured by laughter and lively music, they wandered into a brightly lit bar and perched on nearby stools. “What’s going on?” Colin asked, craning his neck toward the dance floor. “What’s all the shouting about?” He turned to the bartender. “You got any stout?”
Nate wandered to the dance floor to look around and then returned to his friends. “They’re doing the limbo!” he crowed.
“Get out there!” Joshua urged.
Nate turned to David, who was leaning against the bar, sipping a cocktail. For a moment, he paused, staring at his husband. “I don’t suppose…” he began, then shook his head. “No. Silly me.”
David peered at him momentarily, then sat his drink down and strode toward the dance floor.
