Page 25 of Not that Sea-Rious

Beau

A heavy foreboding sank deep in Beau’s gut. This wasn’t good. He knew it in his bones. He’d done something wrong. For the life of him, he couldn’t put his finger on what. Up until they sat down at dinner, Marissa seemed to be having the time of her life.

What changed?

Wearing a tight-lipped frown, he watched her and Joyce leave the dining room. Once they were out of sight, he sighed heavily and turned back to the table. Across from him sat Carolyn, sipping water, and Tina studying him.

Nothing awkward about that at all.

“I would suggest a round of drinks, but I feel like that got us into this position in the first place,” he offered with a weak smile.

“She’ll be fine.” Carolyn waved her hand, dismissing his unspoken concern. “Marissa doesn’t drink like this often. That much consumption was bound to catch up with her.”

He nodded, but his skepticism remained.

“We have appointments at the spa tomorrow,” Tina offered. “She’ll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for your date.”

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Their dinner together was for the following day. The date. It took all his willpower not to smack himself in the face for his stupidity. Yeah, his gesture was gracious and all, but it might have sent the wrong message.

Marissa had freaked out when her friends teased her about the dolphin excursion as a date.

Dinner was a step too far. Damn his drunken brain.

He should’ve just written that off. Of all the things he’d booked for the cruise, the dinner at the steakhouse was the least of his worries.

He could’ve made the sacrifice for Marissa’s comfort. He was a goddamned idiot.

“Do you think I should cancel the reservation?” he asked her friends.

“No!” Carolyn snapped. “Absolutely not.”

Tina peered at her and then back at Beau. “It’s your choice, but don’t do anything because of tonight. Between the sun and the booze—I wouldn’t read too much into it.”

Despite their words, he wasn’t reassured. “I’ll try to check in with her tomorrow morning,” he suggested, seeking their reaction. “Before the spa appointments.”

Carolyn nodded. “That’s great. We usually get breakfast between seven thirty and eight, so stop on over. It’s not like you don’t know where to find us.”

“Yeah, and it’s probably good for Marissa to spend the night in our suite,” Tina offered as she skimmed the menu. “She paid for the room and has yet to actually sleep in it.”

Beau bristled. Carolyn immediately slapped Tina’s arm in reprimand.

Tina peered at her with furrowed brows. “What?”

Carolyn jutted her chin toward Beau.

Tina met his gaze. “Nothing against you.”

“Yeah. Sure.” He shrugged, unsure how else to take her comment.

“You’ve probably shown her the best couple of days she’s had in years,” Tina said.

Years ? Did she say years ? What did that mean?

It could be a myriad of things. Was Marissa the type of woman who didn’t date?

Was she a one-night stand casual serial dater?

He supposed she could be one of those who preferred non-monogamy.

He wasn’t, but he didn’t knock others who were—as long as they were honest with everyone involved.

Maybe she simply hadn’t been involved with someone for years .

Beau had to get more information without coming across needy over eager.

He couldn’t ask. This dinner had already become awkward. He couldn’t turn it into a fact-finding mission. Marissa would tell him her story in her own time. Or not. Either way, it was her choice. He shouldn’t be snooping and getting information from her friends.

He shifted in his seat. Perhaps he should excuse himself as well. Dinner with them seemed to get more and more uncomfortable.

“Okay, enough about that,” Carolyn interjected. “We’re going to eat. What are you getting, Beau?”

Marissa

Marissa followed Joyce into the room and collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh. She draped her arm over her face and closed her eyes. Her head throbbed with an impending migraine, but it had nothing to do with a yard glass and everything to do with a hot ginger.

This war of emotions within her was completely unnecessary. Why was she overthinking so much? So what if she had a fancy dinner with Beau on the last night they were on the ship after they’d slept together and swum with dolphins? It didn’t have to mean anything.

Except it would.

She’d already grown attached to the man, and the fact they had only one day left together made her heart hurt.

His smile, his corny jokes, his easygoing nature, his talents in the bedroom, the way he looked at her—everything about him made her want more.

Spending additional time with him would only increase that desire.

If they were going to part ways when they got off the ship, she needed to nip this in the bud now.

“I’m not that drunk,” Joyce whispered as she took a seat beside her. “And I don’t think you are either.”

Marissa peered at her friend from under her own arm but didn’t speak.

“We’ve all been joking about this thing between you and Beau. It’s super adorable, honestly, but I’m pretty sure none of us have sat down and had a genuine conversation with you about it.”

That was true.

“So, here I am.” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t have a clue,” Marissa admitted with a groan.

Joyce nodded. “Even a blind bat can see there is a spark between you, but the moment anyone teases you about a date, you freak out. What’s up with that?”

Marissa rubbed at her temples. So many questions swarmed around in her head, and Joyce put a voice to them. “I wish I knew.”

Her friend patted her thigh. “Do you like him?”

Meeting Joyce’s eyes, Marissa frowned. “Probably too much for someone I’ve only met three days ago.”

Joyce nodded.

“Definitely way more than I should for a situation that has an expiration date.”

“Aw, sweetie.” Joyce opened her arms and wrapped them around Marissa.

Accepting the offered affection, Marissa rested her head on her friend’s chest and allowed the woman to comfort her. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply and waited for the turmoil within her to subside.

Joyce patted her back maternally as she rocked ever so slightly. “It doesn’t have to be anything.”

“I’m aware,” Marissa said as her eyes burned with tears. “But what if I want it to be?”

“Then you’ll just have to talk to him about that over dinner.”