Wes was coming their way with a tray carrying two plates of food and two cups of coffee.
He glanced at the brothers and introduced himself. “Wes Douglas, and I see you’ve met my wife. I hope we’re not interrupting—this seems to be the busiest place on the ship at the moment.”
“Not interrupting at all,” Broderick assured him. Wes smiled his thanks and took the fourth seat at the table.
“Everyone is all in on going to classes on our day at sea,” Wes said. He laughed softly. “We were thinking about the pool, lounge chairs, drinks with little umbrellas in them—okay, Chloe was thinking about the little umbrellas. I was thinking more about a few beers. But you get the drift. Now we’re all excited about the classes we’re going to take.”
“Go figure!” Chloe said. “Sun, sea, soft breezes—and we realized that we’d both rather get in on those classes!”
“And what classes in particular interest you?” Daniel asked her.
She smiled. “Well, mainly social media, I guess. I own an art gallery and I’m always trying to promote local talent. I need to learn what apps I should be using, how I should be using them... you know! That kind of thing.”
Daiel looked at his brother. “I guess she’s not going to need to learn about security on dating apps.”
“I can only hope not!” Wes said lightly, brushing his fingers through her hair.
“Oh, trust me, no! I just want to showcase my artists!” Chloe assured him.
“So, even though I understand some of itwillbe on dating, I thought that I’d attend Celia Henderson’s class tomorrow morning,” Chloe said, smiling.
“And you’re not going?” Broderick asked Wes.
“I’m going to Edward Thompson’s class at the same time. We’re trying to divide and conquer—except we’re both coming to your mid-morning class!” Wes said. “Chloe thinks we should both attend.”
“Well, we’re delighted, of course, and thank you,” Daniel said. He grinned and looked at Wes and said, “As she wishes it, right?”
“Pardon?” Wes said.
Daniel laughed. “Sorry. I mean, you’re a ‘Westley,’ right?”
“I am,” Wes said, nodding slightly.
“Sorry, movie fan here. I’m thinking ofThe Princess Brideand the Dread Pirate Roberts. Buttercup’s beloved Westley always told her, ‘As you wish!’”
Wes looked over at Chloe before glancing back at Daniel and saying, “Yeah! Right. Saw that as a kid! I’ve beenmissing the mark!” He turned back to Chloe, lifted one of her hands and kissed it lightly, and then grinned at her and said, “As you wish!”
She groaned softly, grinning and shaking her head.
“If only!” she told the other two.
Wes groaned playfully and teased his fingers through her hair again. “Someone told me once that’s the key to a happy marriage—”
“Whatever one’s spouse wants!” Chloe interrupted lightly.
“And you two seem to be doing it right,” Daniel said. “The chemistry even bounces all the way over here. Wes, you seem to be ‘as you wish-ing’ it just right.”
“Hey, maybe I am!” Chloe protested. “Neither of you is married?”
Daniel winced. “Not anymore. Now I just ‘as you wish it’ to my brother!”
“Well, from what I understand, you have one of the most amazing companies out there, seeing as how it’s rising and rising!” Chloe told him earnestly.
Broderick nodded. “We’re doing all right, but... well, you must stay on it, stay awake, all the time in this field.”
“There are always hackers out there. And no matter what kind of security firewall you come up with, someone will come up with a way to hack it. That’s why it’s such a tough business,” Daniel added.
Chloe sipped her coffee and looked at the two brothers. They seemed to be in sync with one another.
