“You don’t have to do that, Mom. We’ll make this work,” I say quickly. It’s got a balcony. Bex can sleep out there. “Really, there’s no need?—”
But Luna’s already nodding decisively. “Nope. I insist, Ash. Bex has finally gotten some time off, and the two of you are going to have a romantic cruise. You need it.”
I so donotneed this.
I look over at Bex, who just shrugs, and I realize, regardless of what I want—or need—this battle has already been lost.
PARADISE
ASHLEY
After all that, turns out, we can’t even go to our rooms yet. They won’t be ready until later this afternoon.
Not my favorite part of cruising, but whatever. I can adapt.
So, once the PCL agent promises our luggage will be delivered to my mother’s cabin, and hers delivered to ours, I lead us to the escalators. “Okay! Let’s get this show on the road! Kids’ pool is on Deck Sixteen.”
The boys cheer like I just announced free ice cream for life. They’re both wearing their trunks for shorts—Max’s are green and plastered with a bunch of miniature Hulks, while Blakey is in blue, with Spider Man across the front.
Naturally.
Beneath my sundress, I’m wearing one of my new swimsuits. I’ve got snacks in my tote, sunscreen, SPF 50, a waterproof pouch for my phone, and clamps to keep our towels from blowing off the lounge chairs.
Normally, I’d have filled Bex’s backpack with other various necessities. He hooks it over his shoulder, though, and I have no idea what’s inside.
It’s yet another sobering reminder of how much things have changed.
“I’ll meet everyone up there in a few minutes,” he says, taking a step back. I used to just assume he would be checking in with work when he’d do this. Now…
I have no idea where he’s off to.
“Sure.”Shake it off, Ashley,I tell myself as I watch him disappear.
Beckett and I might be hurtling toward divorce, but we’re civilized adults.
Rational. Responsible. Mature. I am absolutely not the kind of woman who would make her soon-to-be-ex-husband sleep on the balcony.
From what I remember, the beds in these cabins can be split apart.
And besides, this isn’t about me. This week is about Luna and Noah.
Speaking of which?—
“Luna,” I call as we join a dozen people waiting for an elevator. “You have your swimsuit, right?”
Luna rolls her eyes and twirls her beach bag. “Yes, Mom.”
Noah chuckles, locking his arms around her from behind. “The one with the little daisies?” he asks. When my sister nods, he gives me a wink. “My girl is prepared for everything. You should’ve seen her stuff those packing cubes you ordered for her.”
“Don’t mock the system,” I warn lightly as I hit the number 16 and we file into the mirrored cubicle to whisk us to one of the top levels of the boat.
“I would never.” Noah grins, turning back to Luna. “But we’ve lost my mom and Court. Do you want to set up by the pool while I track her down and tell her where we are?”
“As long as you bring me a margarita,” Luna says, literally glowing up at him. And right there in that packed elevator, the engaged couple… they kiss. Slowly, shamelessly, and so thoroughly that I have to look away before my ears burn off.
How long has it been since Bex kissed me like that?
When the elevator doors slide open, Noah slips out and disappears into a stairwell before any of us can blink. So I take Luna’s elbow—she’s still looking a little dazed—and steer her toward where the pool should be.
