“Are they even old enough?” They’re just little boys!
“Already checked the rules. As long as they have an adult with them, it’s fine.” He’s not looking at me anymore, butwatching as Todd tosses the life vest away and sprays sanitizer on his hands.
“Washy Washy! Happy Happy!” he sings as the audience applauds halfheartedly.
I turn back just as the spotlights dim, the bright PowerPoint vanishing from the screen.
Everyone moves to file out, and I try to make my escape. But… Beckett is following me.
“What?” I ask. Just because he’s here, just because we’re pretending, doesn’t mean anything has changed between us.
“You’re… setting up for the welcome party.”
I nod slowly.
“What can I do to help?”
“Don’t you have emails to write? Calls to make?”
He’s shaking his head. “No laptop, remember?”
“I still can’t believe….”
He blinks down at me, and dang it all, for a few seconds, I’m caught by the blue of his eyes.
“I don’t need any help,” I say. “Maybe you can check in on Mom and the boys.”
Instead of pushing back or arguing, he just stares at me, and then dips his chin.
“If that’s what you want.”
“It’s what I want.”
I pivot and make my escape.
WEDDING WELCOME PARTY
ASHLEY
The theater’s at the front of the ship, and the event room is two decks down at the very back—or the aft, in proper nautical terms.
Technically, I’m running a little behind.
But I don’t mind.
The walk along the open deck?—
I need it.
To shake off Beckett’s voice in my ear. His breath on my cheek. That stupid, familiar pull trying to trick me.
Let me be perfectly clear here. I’m divorcing my husband, not because I’m not attracted to him anymore, but because… I don’t love him anymore.
I can’t love a man that I don’t trust.
By the time I reach the event room, my head is straight again, and I flutter around for the next twenty minutes—adjusting decorations, reviewing the playlist with the DJ, and confirming the drink menu with the bartender.
Busy hands. Busy mind. That’s how I balance.
