Page 6 of Cruising with You (Swenson Sweethearts)

Nora

“ I think the keynote speaker did great. What do you think?” Gem asks, her brows wrinkled with worry.

She’s not usually the anxious type, but I’m a Cancer, and the keynote speaker just spent the last thirty minutes shoving the eclipse down everyone’s throats, along with the specific importance it’ll hold for anyone born between June twenty-second and July twenty-second.

And, thanks to my mom and dad’s anniversary being nine months before, my birthday lands smack dab in the middle of that time frame.

“I think he did really well,” I compliment while rearranging a few more chairs at the tables scattered around the room.

“Ya think? So, you’re not freaked out about finding your soulmate or anything? I mean, I know this is a singles’ cruise, and people are here to meet the loves of their lives, but he was a little over the top.” She raises her hand and makes a small gap between her thumb and forefinger.

Laughing, I push her hand away. “Ya think? Thankfully, he also mentioned a loophole.”

“And what loophole is that?”

“You have to be open to having a relationship and finding your soulmate. I’m not.” I shrug. “See? Perfect solution.”

“Nora….”

“Don’t Nora me. It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything is absolutely fine. Let’s just get this next activity set up because the guests are going to finish their drinks any minute and are going to be begging for the speed dating rounds.”

“What about Gage?” Gem mentions with a pointed look.

“What about him?”

“Did you see that he came to the keynote speaker event?”

“Yeah?”

“Did you see that he couldn’t take his eyes off you?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Gage is really the forever type, either.”

“One,” Gem raises her forefinger. “ You are one-hundred-percent the forever type. You just need to get over the fact that your brother broke his soulmate’s heart.

You still have a chance to be very happily married if you’d put yourself out there.

And two,” she raises her middle finger to join her first one in the air.

“You have no idea what kind of guy Gage is or what he wants in life. I mean, do you even know his sign?”

“Ya know, funny thing…it didn’t come up during his fake proposal,” I retort before scanning the room a final time.

There isn’t a single thing out of place.

Two chairs are set across from each other with a set of heart-shaped pins and a laminated information card with questions, zodiac traits, and fun astrological facts typed on each of them.

“Well, it should’ve before you fake said yes in front of a bunch of strangers, which is so unlike you, by the way.”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Tell me, are we done with this interrogation so I can open the doors and let the guests in? Or…?” My voice trails off as I place my closed fists on my hips, daring her to continue poking the bear.

With pursed lips, she points her finger at me. “I won’t be finished with you until you can open your heart to love and accept what fate has in store for you. Besides, you were so bummed when Gage ghosted you after fake proposing. Why are you acting all weird about a commitment two weeks later?”

“I thought a cute guy was interested in me. What girl wouldn’t want that?

However, just because I’m attracted to him and thought it would be fun to casually date the guy doesn’t mean I thought he was my soulmate or even wanted him to be.

I’m not ready for anything like that, and after the keynote speaker basically shoved the eclipse and its fortune down everyone’s throats for the past hour, I’m a little… testy, okay?”

I can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she watches me like a hawk.

Caving under her scrutiny, I demand, “Spit it out, Gem.”

“Fine. If you aren’t willing to give Gage a shot, are you going to at least participate in a few of the dating games we put together? Please? For me?” She changes tactics from annoyance to begging in the blink of an eye, but both have the same effect on me.

Cursing her under my breath, I mutter, “Fine. I’ll try to participate in a few of these things, but only if it’ll get you off my back.”

“And you’ll be open to love if it smacks you in the face? Even though you’re positive that I’m smoking something right now?”

“Gem––”

“Promise me, Nora. Please? All I want is for you to be happy, and the stars are literally aligning right now to make that happen.”

Massaging my temples, I mutter, “You, my friend, have polished one too many crystals.”

She laughs before rubbing her thumb across a gorgeous gem that’s hanging from a silver chain around her neck.

“You know, I could argue about this all night long. But for now, I’ll cut you some slack since we have a bunch of buzzed guests who happen to also be looking for their forever, and we’d be terrible people to keep them waiting. ”

I snort. “You’re terrible regardless of whether you keep them waiting or not.”

“I’m a delight,” she counters before pushing the doors open. “And you’re in denial.”

We both know I’m not about to start a debate in the middle of a bunch of strangers, but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to pinch her butt and make her yelp when she least expects it.

“Hey!” she screeches.

Ignoring her, I find a microphone tucked under a small podium and tap on the head to make sure it’s on.

Satisfied, I clear my throat and dive right in.

“Welcome, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the keynote speaker. I felt like he did a wonderful job explaining the magnitude of the eclipse and how amazing it is that we get to experience it while on a freaking cruise in the middle of the Bahamas.”

The crowd applauds, and I wait for them to stop before I continue.

“I’d like to introduce the brains behind this event. If it weren’t for her, none of us would be here. Please welcome, Gemini Matheson!”

The cheers are deafening as she steps up to the microphone and takes over.

“Welcome, you guys! And thank you, Nora Daniels, for the amazing introduction. She doesn’t give herself nearly enough credit. This might’ve been my brainchild, but without her, it would’ve stayed exactly where it started––in my head as a dream and nothing more.”

More applause.

“Now, let’s get to the fun part, shall we?

You’re in the heterosexual room, so if you’re looking for someone of the opposite sex to meet, then you’re in the right place!

If you’re looking for someone of the same sex, it’s a few rooms down and doesn’t start for another hour.

Now, is everyone in the right place?” A handful of people step out of the room while the rest bob their heads up and down in unison.

“Great. If you’re familiar with the zodiac signs in regards to love, then you know some signs are much more compatible than others.

Most dating sites don’t take this vital piece of information into account when choosing a potential partner, but on this ship, it’s the main thing we consider.

Ladies, will you please take your seats on the left side of the tables. ”

All the women scuffle around the room to find their places. Some are giggling, others are pale as ghosts, but they’re all seated within sixty seconds flat. Gem wasn’t kidding. True love is exactly what they’re all looking for.

“Perfect!” Gem praises them. “First, and most importantly, the pins. These are crucial for our singles’ cruise.

If you see anyone wearing one, then they’re off the market until they decide to remove the pin from their clothing.

We figured it’s the easiest way to commit to someone on the ship if you’ve felt a deep connection with them and want to pursue that connection instead of searching for it with someone else.

Obviously, both partners need to agree to wear them, since it takes two people to form a healthy relationship.

Now, if you’ll take a look at the laminated paper in front of you…

.” A soft scuffling sound echoes throughout the room as the women do what they’re told.

“I want you to find your sign, then take a look at the signs that work well with yours. If you’re looking for someone with a specific zodiac sign, write it on the whiteboard, and the men who fit the bill will come to you.

If you’re open to other options, leave it blank and see how you feel during the five-minute speed dating sprint.

There’s a set of questions on the back if you run into any awkwardness, but remember to have fun because that’s why we’re here. Right, ladies?”

They squeal their agreement, pulling a deep chuckle from the men who are scattered around the perimeter of the room.

“Aaand that’s why alcohol makes dating so much more fun,” Gem teases. “Alright, let’s begin.”

The women who have obviously done their research already have their whiteboards waving proudly through the air with signs like Aries, Taurus, and Virgo, while a few others keep them face down on the table and wait for men to approach them.

A few stragglers are still hovering near the exit as if they can’t decide whether they want to stay or go.

But if they leave, that would be bad juju for the Written in the Stars cruise. Squaring my shoulders, I dive right in.

“Hey, if you’ll just follow me….” I nudge a guy into one of the open seats.

“Yup, and if you’ll just sit right here.” Another one plops down.

“There’s an open table near the corner.” I point to it until the guy with a deer-in-the-headlights look nods awkwardly. “Perfect. Head on over.”

As things slowly start to settle, I do a quick head count and confirm that it looks like the people are pretty evenly matched.

Gem’s voice echoes through the speakers, notifying everyone of the timer and how it works, along with a reminder that everyone has to move when it goes off unless they’re wearing the red pin.