“Fine. She admitted that she thought I might be bi, and she really didn’t care. Then she said, and I quote, ‘It’s about fucking time you found someone, Ben,’ which made me laugh. She doesn’t pull any punches that one. I think I mentioned it before, but I believe she and Sam would get along really well.”
“Actually, you were talking about your assistant before, and I think all three of them would get along. But the bigger question is which would be worse—do we introduce them or do our damnedest to keep them apart?” Rob laughed.
“Introduce them, I think. They all really just want the best for us. Then Amanda told me to do whatever the hell I wanted, and she’d deal with any rumors that might crop up. We’ll talk more when I see her in about a week, but she doesn’t think this will have any impact on my career.”
Rob squeezed Ben’s hand. “Whew, I’m happy to hear that. I’d hate to think that what’s happened between us could affect you negatively.”
“I’m sure it’ll all be fine. If Amanda isn’t worried, then I’m not. The only thing we’ll need to decide fairly quickly is if we just go about our business and let things be known when folks catch wind of it, or if I make some sort of statement about it. Either a press release or a post on social media, something that presents us as a couple.” Ben paused, his brain spinning with decisions. “But we don’t need to think about that now. C’mon, Rob. Let’s go get a drink before dinner.”
* * *
The Suite Lounge wasn’t very crowded. They grabbed two seats at the end of the bar nearest the windows so they could look out over the water. The ship had left Civitavecchia around six o’clock, and the sun had set shortly after that, but it was still beautiful to watch the sea at twilight.
After they ordered drinks, Ben asked the bartender why it wasn’t very busy in the lounge. Since it was only open until eight-thirty for drinks, he expected to see more people.
“Ah well, many of the passengers staying in the suites are older, so they come for a drink or two around five o’clock when we open. After that, they go to dinner and then to the early show,” the bartender explained.
“That works out well for us then,” Ben replied. “I like it when it’s less crowded.”
They sipped their martinis and chatted a bit.
“So, Ben, I know you’re getting off the cruise on Saturday and I really don’t want to think about that yet, but I do have a question for you.”
“I don’t want to think about it either, but sure, what do you want to know?”
“What time is your flight back to LA?” Rob asked.
“Actually, I’m not leaving until Sunday morning. I have an eight o’clock flight. Why?”
“Well, Sam’s flying into Barcelona on Thursday and is playing tourist on Friday,” Rob explained. “I told her I would meet her at the hotel on Saturday. She’s staying at the L17 like we did. I was thinking that maybe you and I can meet outside at the pier on Saturday to grab a taxi to the hotel and you could meet Sam. Maybe we’d have time for lunch or something?”
“I can do you one better,” Ben replied. “I have a car picking me up at the pier. And I’m staying at that hotel again for one night. That means you can join me in the car, and we’ll head to the hotel. I’ll check in, then I can meet Sam and we’ll definitely have lunch together. I’ll see if I can get a reservation at the seafood restaurant you and I dined at the night before the cruise. After lunch, I can have the car drop you back at the pier.”
“That would be awesome,” Rob said, excited at the prospect of spending more time with Ben. “Plus, you and I get an extra day together.”
“Then that’s what we’re gonna do.”
They finished their drinks and headed down to Kaiyo on Deck 8.
They checked in and were seated at the sushi and noodle bar in the restaurant. They shared some spicy tuna roll, pork gyoza and tempura shrimp as an appetizer. They also got spicy miso ramen bowls with char siu pork. “This meal was amazing,” Ben declared as they finished dinner. “Everything is so flavorful and well prepared. The food on this ship seems much better than what I remember from my last cruise.”
“Yes,” Rob agreed. “Most of the cruise lines have upped their game with the addition of specialty restaurants. They’re cooking for fewer people than in the main dining rooms, so the quality is definitely elevated.”
After dinner they were walking along Seaside Cove and stopped at the Trident Lounge for a nightcap. Lukas was working at the bar and he welcomed them and took their order. Rather than remain seated at the bar, they took their drinks and sat at a table close to the walkway. They sipped their bourbon and people-watched.
Rob sighed, “How is it that I met you less than a week ago, but I feel like I’ve known you forever?”
“I think we were just meant to be, Rob. Let’s not question it. Just accept it and enjoy it.”
“That’s a very good plan,” Rob decided. He paused, trying not to look nervous. “So, will you stay with me tonight, Ben? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a horndog looking for more sex or anything, but I do enjoy being with you and I really, really hate sleeping alone.”
Ben laughed. Rob noticed how his eyes sparkled when he laughed; Ben’s face lit up and he was even more handsome. “I’d like that. A lot.”
