“What?None?”
“Just none about my dick. I can’t process this yet.”
“Fine. I’ll stop. I was just making sure your littlebuddyis ready to face the public.”
Now he glares. “You’re pushing. And don’t use the word little. You’ll hurt a man’s pride.”
I bite my tongue. I want to tell him there’s nothing that should hurt his pride, but I know I need to toe the line.
Nate can see it. “At least you’re finally listening. Let’s go.”
Half an hour later, we’re at the lounge sipping on lattes. I know I’m still thinking about this morning, and Nate is too, judging by how he keeps glancing at me when he thinks I won’t notice.
I’m not sure how to broach this. With Rob, everything was done for me. He’s the one who made massive displays to prove how much he cared.
Nate isn’t like that. He’s quietly there, like a support system I can’t live without.
This morning was the first time we did something that wasn’t like what friends do.
“So, today’s the last excursion,” Nate says as he’s halfway through his drink. “Then it’s back to real life, huh?”
That, I dread. “Yeah, I guess so.”
I haven’t put much thought into life on the shore, but I’m not excited about seeing all of Rob’s family when I go to Quinn’s birthday party. Before the cruise, it was a nebulous concept, an issue I didn’t have to face. Now, I do.
It’s tempting to hide, just like I did when I called the wedding off.
But Quinn wants me there and I’ve never missed one of her birthdays before. Ihaveto be brave and face this. I don’t want fear to stop me.
“So, we’re in Nassau for the day.” Nate’s looking at his phone. “There’s not a lot to do for someone who doesn’t like swimming.”
“That seems to be the theme here,” I say with a sigh. “But it’s our last full day on the water. I think I could go for an attempt at swimming in the ocean.”
Nate blinks. “Really? That’s a tall order.”
“Is it?”
“There are waves,” he says. “Though, they’re pretty small here. And you did get an experience with the ocean on this trip that wasn’t so good.”
“I’d like an experience with the ocean that isn’t traumatizing,” I say. “And I get to use my swimsuit again.”
“Yeah, that.”
Nervousness settles in my gut. “What? Do you not like it?”
“No!” he says immediately. His fingers start tapping on the table and he can’t look me in the eye. “It, uh, looks very nice on you. You and Scarlett picked that out?”
“Yeah. Our shopping trip was ... enlightening.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You can’t possibly want to know the details of a shopping trip.”
“I love hearing you talk about what you get up to. Tell me everything.”
If it were anyone else, I’d think they were lying.
“Fine.”
