Page 8 of Cruising with You (Swenson Sweethearts)

Nora

“ I ’m sorry, what’s that?” Gem jumps right into the interrogation as soon as the room empties. Some of the speed dating participants left alone, while others left in pairs. Regardless, everyone was exhausted and has finally given Gem the privacy she was looking for to start her questioning.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I deflect.

“Sure, you don’t,” she mutters under her breath before jabbing me in the red pin attached to my dress. “This.” Jab. “Right.” Jab. “Here.” Jab.

“Oh, this ol’ thang?”

Crossing her arms, she gives me a look that tells me, I’ve got all night. Spill.

I cave in ten seconds flat. “Fiiine. Gage and I were chatting––”

“During the entire speed dating event. Yes, I saw that. Go on.”

“Aaand…we hit it off.” I shrug like it isn’t a big deal when I know she’s about to lose her shit if I don’t spill every tiny detail in the next three Mississippis.

Scowling, she threatens, “So help me, Nora, if you don’t spill every tiny detail in the next three seconds,”–– Called it–– “I will bribe the staff to leave your towels origami free, you hear me?”

I gasp. “But my seals and my cute puppy with sunglasses––”

“Yup. You can kiss them all goodbye.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

With a scowl that would make a mob boss cower, I give up the goods. “Fine. But there really isn’t much to tell. We started chatting. He touched my hand. I felt a spark.”

“Ooo, a spark! Really?” Her face lights up like the Fourth of July.

“Yes, a spark. Now, will you stop interrupting me?” I snap.

The girl has the decency to look bashful as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Oops. Proceed.”

“I found out he’s a fellow Cancer and….”

Crap!

As soon as the sign slipped out of my mouth, I knew I’d made a mistake. Gage is the furthest thing from a Cancer. It’s like calling a lion a gazelle while expecting a zoologist not to recognize the differences.

“A Cancer? Really?” she questions, her head tilting to the side as she studies me like a damn detective.

Freaking Geminis and their joy of puzzles. I just placed a big whammy right in front of one.

“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “Crazy, right? But anyway, we got to talking about the eclipse and our aspirations for this upcoming year and…I guess we just fit. I like him. He likes me. We figured, why should we keep looking around when we really just want to see where this particular spark takes us?”

Her eyes narrow. “And you’re okay with that? Seeing where the spark takes you?”

“Yup. I mean…that’s what you wanted, right?”

“Well, yeah, but––”

“But, you didn’t expect me to actually listen?” I tease.

“I mean, Cancers are known for being a little stubborn sometimes….”

“But we’re also loyal and enjoy taking care of those around us. And I care about you, Gem. So, if you think I should tempt fate during this eclipse then…I guess that’s what I’m going to do.”

I’m also going to hell for lying to my best friend.

But I keep that part to myself.

“Well…I’m proud of you then,” she decides with a single nod. “I think you might be surprised by how awesome love can be. Or so I’ve heard. So, tell me more about your cousin ‘cause you’re not the only one in desperate need of a potential soulmate candidate.”

Grinning back at her, I pull her into a quick hug, then guide her onto the back deck that leads to our rooms. “Well, he just moved down from New York after finishing his internship at some big shot corporation. I don’t think he enjoyed how fast-paced it is up there, or at least that’s the vibe I got from him. Oh, and he’s an Aries,” I add.

“Aries, eh? I can work with an Aries. Now that you and Gage are a pair for the cruise, and hopefully into the distant future, will I be hanging out more with this Aries?”

“I think I can make that happen,” I reply with a wink.

“Yes! I knew you were my best friend for a reason! So, when will you see Gage next?”

“Tomorrow, I think. We didn’t really set up anything specific.”

Soon, I hope, a little voice whispers inside my head, but I bite my tongue.

“We’ll be in Jamaica tomorrow. Do they want to join us for the dolphin excursion?”

“Uh, maybe?” I shrug. “No idea, but I’ll ask Gage the next time I see him.”

“Deal. Just make sure he brings Conner,” she reminds me in her usual bossy tone.

“With the way he was looking at you earlier today, I’m going to go ahead and assume that won’t be a problem.”

Her happiness is contagious as she pulls me into another quick side hug, then stops me at the railing to enjoy the view.

The inky waters are relatively calm but still seem to crash along the ship as it glides through the ocean.

The breeze is gentle as it kisses my cheeks and melts away the anxiety and stress from earlier today.

And the soft rocking from the waves is enough to lull me to sleep right here and now.

“I’m exhausted,” I admit.

“You and me both. Thank you, though. For coming with me, for supporting me, and for putting up with me as your best friend. I love the crap out of you, Nora.”

“Ditto. Let’s get some rest because tomorrow, we get to swim with dolphins!”