He wound his arm around Joshua’s shoulders. “And just think about the stunning Instagram-worthy pictures we'll capture. I can already imagine our selfies with glorious, icy-blue glaciers in the background—a perfect blend of ballsy bravado and Alaskan splendor. We’ll be rock stars!”
Joshua stared at his husband for a moment, his expression blank. Finally, he let out a raspy sigh and nodded. “OK. You made your point. I’ll suck it up and cope. But if we start to plummet, it’s onyou."
Colin tightened his arm and winked. “And you can bitch me out all the way down.”
“You sick of me being a wussy little scaredy-cat?”
“You’re not a wussy little scaredy-cat. Anxiety isalwaysyour first response to new situations.” He shrugged his disinterest. “You’ll do your due diligence, discover how safe those flights are, and relax.”
“I wouldn’t count on ‘relaxed,’” Joshua told him. But at least I won’t be clutching your arm in a white-faced panic.” He leaned against Colin’s shoulder. “Thank you for your understanding. I feel like I’m incredibly annoying at times, like you’re constantly having to reassure me.”
“So what?”
“It doesn’t get annoying?”
Colin quirked an eyebrow, his expression one of disbelief. “Knowing me as well as you do… d’you actually think that playing the role of big, strong, protective hero to my husband wouldannoyme?”
Joshua shook his head and snickered, rubbing his cheek against Colin’s shoulder. “No, I suppose it wouldn’t, myYedid.” He turned his head and kissed Colin’s shoulder. “It’s who you are.”
“And who I intend to remain.”
CHAPTERTWO
PACKING SHENANIGANS
Colin emerged from the shower, scrubbing a towel over his wet hair, but jerked to a halt when he spotted their king-sized bed. The entire surface was covered in paraphernalia, most of which he did not recognize. “What the hellisall this stuff?”
Joshua held a paper printout in front of Colin’s face. Across the top were the words: “Packing Essentials: Unveiling the Mysteries of Packing for an Alaska Cruise.” Colin briefly paused his hair drying to read, then faced his husband: “We’re going to need a bigger boat.”
“You see anything on that list youdon’twant to take with you?”
“Where the hell are we going to put our underwear with our suitcases full of this stuff?”
“We’ll have plenty of room for our underwear. And thereareclothes on that list.”
Colin snatched the paper from Joshua’s hand and read: “Water-resistant jacket? Waterproof gloves?” He peered at Joshua and grinned. “You assume we’re going to end up in the drink? We’re going swimming with thewhales?” He handed the paper back. “Those are the only clothes on thatverylong list.”
“And, again, I ask: is there anything on that list youdon’twant to take?”
Colin retrieved the list and stood for a moment, reading. “A VPN, Josh?” he asked finally.
“You want to return to the ship and discover that our PayPal account has been hacked? Cybersecurity is an issue on cruise ships!”
“Okay,” Colin conceded. “That’s a good point.” He sank to the bed, still reading.
“Colin! You’re wet!”
“It’s just water, babe.” He lifted the list and shook it at Joshua. “Hand me my water-resistant jacket!”
“You think it’s funny, but you won’t be laughing when we’re hiking in the Alaska outback and it starts to pour!”
“Binoculars,” Colin muttered, then nodded. “OK. I get that. But aclothesline hanger, babe? Adry bag?” He peered at the items on the bed. “Have you already bought all this stuff?”
“No, not all of it. I haven’t bought the dry bag OR the clothesline hanger.”
“Well, save yourself the trouble, and what the hell is aquick dry travel towel? Did you buythatyet? Because if you have, I want to see it.”
“Youneedit since you’re dripping water all over the bed. But, no. I haven’t bought that yet either.” He pointed to the list in Colin’s hand. “Do you see the items with big red check marks next to them?”
