“And cute dog pictures!” Chloe put in.
“Who doesn’t love cute dog pictures?” Wes said. “I’m sure that we all need to know how to use the social media safely. We put pics up of kids, families... I think we’re looking forward to crashing all kinds of classes. We came on this cruise just to get away together and we had no idea when we planned it what a great trip it was going to be!” he said enthusiastically.
Their waiter was at the table; he’d been patiently waiting for the conversation to take enough of a pause so that he could get their orders. There was already wine on the table, red and white, but he was happy to get them anything else and he gave a great presentation on the dinner options that were offered that evening.
They ordered; salads and bread appeared almost instantly, and polite conversation continued around the table.
It seemed like the nicest group. The captain, in Wes’s mind, was the man he claimed he wanted to be. Friendly, approachable and yet knowledgeable regarding any question that was broached to him about the ship.
Edward seemed the perfect VP; again, dignified, but intelligent, eloquent and approachable.
Celia was eager and sweet, and her husband...
Well, it seemed that he knew his place.
When dessert and coffee were served, Wes felt that they’d gotten to know the group.
And still knew nothing at all.
But they had just begun. And when they were alone, he’d be eager to hear what Chloe felt they had gained from the meal. If nothing else, he was certain that they had presented themselves as a loving couple, happy to head out for fun, equally happy as a twosome to have discovered all the extras they might have on this cruise.
The captain seemed to be the real deal, a nice man, using his first night’s dinner to welcome the Milestones rep who was on board along with one of his major instructors and honorees and her husband, as well as the cruise director and his cruise-retired grandfather. Wes figured that someone had gotten it into the passenger information that they were a power couple and therefore, they’d been included, too.
“So, a dive boat!” Celia said to him. “I guess you’re an expert in the water?”
He shrugged. “I’m pretty good.”
She laughed. “You use the internet underwater?”
“You would be surprised how intricate using a computer has become on any boat,” Wes assured her. “That’s why I want to know so much more—I want to make use of all theknowledge that’s out there now when I’m conducting a dive tour. I do short trips and overnight tours. I have a nice new boat, and it’s rigged to do just about everything, once I really understand what I’m doing.”
“Ah! But you seem to be just as excited, Chloe,” Edward said. “I’m thrilled, of course, that we’ll do more of these if the other passengers are as enthusiastic about them as you seem to be. But... you aren’t doing AI art, are you?”
Chloe shook her head. “No, art is created in the hearts, souls and minds by talented human beings, and I never want to change that—not in my business, anyway. But I want to promote shows and people, the incredible artists I want to get out there! I mean, from little things like calendars to amazing pieces for people’s walls!”
“Well, hopefully, we’ll fulfill all your needs!” Edward said. “Celia’s class might prove to be helpful.” He winked at her. “Even though you don’t need to worry about security on any dating apps!”
“Dating and security, so sad!” the captain said. He groaned softly and excused himself, welcoming them all on the cruise again, but telling them it was time to get back to the bridge.
They all bid him good-night, and then, of course, everyone at the table began to break away, Elijah Cliffton informing them that he was a wee bit past the age when a night getting wild sounded more inviting than the comfort of one’s bed. Billy groaned softly, but said, “I’ll walk you to your cabin, Gramps. I’ve got an early morning—we’re a day at sea with dozens of activities going on!”
Edward said good-night and Celia hurriedly rose followed by her husband, Jeff, who apologized, as well.
“Classes tomorrow!” Celia said.
“We’ll split up so we can cover a bunch!” Chloe assured her. “And thank you, thank you for doing all this!”
“Of course!” Celia said.
“Milestones paid for us—that worked!” Jeff whispered.
Celia groaned, Wes and Chloe laughed, rising to leave the dining room themselves.
“I guess we should be glad this is considered a luxury line and that there are only about six hundred or so crew and passengers,” Chloe murmured dryly, sliding ahead of Wes to start out of the dining room.
At her side, he softly replied, “Just six-hundred-something! We should figure this out in no time. Well, at least we were able to spend some time with three of our prime suspects: Milestones VP Edward and the lovely Celia and her husband, Jeff.”
“And?”
