I shrug just as a cruise employee walks up with a microphone. For a horrific second, I wonder if “games” is code for karaoke, which I will fail at miserably. But then the employee speaks. “Hello, everyone. Welcome to our exclusive night of fun for our newly joined guests. I hope you’re all ready for a little friendly competition.”
Aaron whistles.
“Try hard,” I mutter. Nate hides a laugh with his hand.
The employee laughs. “Exactly what I wanna hear as we go into our game. You better know your partner better than anyone else so you can take home an exclusive prize.”
A bag is brought out and Nate and I lean forward. Neither of us care what’s in it. We just know we want it.
“Without any further ado, I welcome you to the Newlywed game!”
I immediately snap out of my thoughts. “Thewhatgame?” I ask.
I take a look at the lounge. Everyone is paired off. Everyone is wearing a ring on their left finger.
Slowly, my gaze slides to Nate, who’s frozen in his seat. Then he looks back at me as if I’m a bomb that could go off at any second.
Maybe I am.
“Fuck it.”
“Wanna leave?”
“Nope. I want to win.”
“Are you sure about this? This is the Newlywed game. In case you’re confused, we’re not married.”
I take a whiteboard with a smile. “You know what would make me feel so much better?”
“A really strong drink?”
“Beating a bunch of married people with my best friend.”
He nods, understanding finally dawning on his features. “All right. Fair enough. We should have a plan for if they have questions about romance.”
That makes me pause. “Right. Any ideas? You’re better at last-second stupidity than I am.”
“I wanna be offended, but I can’t.” He taps his finger on his chin as he thinks. Then he shrugs. “Fake it till you make it.”
“Seriously? That’s your idea?”
“We’ve known each other for almost two decades. I’m sure we can guess what the other will say.”
“You’re putting a lot of faith in us being synchronized.”
“Where else am I supposed to put it?” He gives me an easygoing smile that makes my cheeks grow warm. I’m sure he means nothing by it, yet my body reacts anyway.
This entire trip has been weird. There’s no other word for it.
“Let’s just hope they don’t ask who’s the better kisser.”
“It would be me.”
I gasp. “How dare you! I’ll have you know I’m great at?—”
“All right, everyone!” The employee is back on the mic. “Time to go over the rules and get started.”
Reality creeps in and I’m glad we were interrupted. The last thing I need to be doing is arguing about kissing with Nate. It makes my stomach flip just thinking about it.
