Page 47 of Eat Your Heart Out

24

Gerard

We sat at the table next to the kitchen. I felt it wasn’t right to ask to be served when we needed to unpack the rest of the ship, as it was clear sailing from there on out.

Ali ate like she’d been starved, maybe because I’d been inside her multiple times. I ate in silence, and we finished off the pizza as the sun was setting. If she wanted more, I would head into the kitchen to get it.

“Do you want another slice?”

She cleaned her face. “Honestly, no. I can’t believe how quiet it is now. I honestly thought we’d drown or have to go outside and hold a mast together or something.”

“That sounds dramatic.”

We stood, and I glanced down, noticing how her shorts looked cute on her with her simple T-shirt. We headed out to the main lobby.

She curled her hand in mine. “I’m used to the worst possible thing happening. I honestly didn’t believe you when you said we weren’t hitting the center of the storm.”

I kissed her knuckles. “Next time, you can trust me, then.”

“Maybe.” She blushed and sucked in her lips.

We unlocked the library, and I moved some chairs back into place. As we finished, she came up beside me.

“Can we talk about what your mom said?” Her gaze seemed so serious. She lowered her head.

Heat rose up my spine as I took a seat beside her. “Sure, what’s going on?”

She pivoted and stared at me with her big doe eyes. “I really don’t want you buying me a necklace.”

My lips curved higher. Ali was cute, and her new blond streaks only enhanced her natural beauty. I winked. “How about the diamond ring?”

She sucked in her breath and trembled. I swallowed, unsure of what to do. I hadn’t meant to frighten her. Now she would jump ship for sure.

Then she smiled. “For a second there, I thought you were serious.”

“How do you know I’m not?” Inwardly, I cringed the second I said it. She wasn’t ready to flirt.

She patted my cheek. “The twinkle in your eye, Dreamboat.”

I laughed. Good. She was happy. I stood and waved for her to join me. The sunset on the stern deck would be beautiful. The storm was in the distance, but that normally made for interesting colors.

She walked with me as I said, “So you’re saying you can read my thoughts now?”

“No…” She caught her breath. The vibrant orange and red in the dusk were magnetic.

She took my hand until she saw the staff setting up a table for us. We helped unpack our furniture, and when the staff were done, they thanked us.

“Glad to help,” she said.

We walked to the railing to enjoy the evening. “You’re getting friendly with the staff.”

She shrugged. “In most universes, I’d be wearing a similar uniform.” She folded her hands in front of her and stared up at the sky.

I waited for the stars to start appearing, but then she asked, “So, tell me the worst thing you ever did to your parents.”

That was a story I’d never told a woman. I shook my head. “I wasn’t a bad boy.”

She gazed at me. “Come on, now. There’s a story there.”