Page 16 of The Admiral's Daughter

It feels weird hearing my name come out of her mouth. She screamed River last night, which I prefer.

“I was hoping you might need me to show you around next week. In the daytime, that is.”

Her eyebrows scrunch. It’s adorable. “What other time of day would I need you?”

“Oh, no, I mean it’s just I have a week of nights coming up, and I was hoping you’d get me out of it.”

She chuckles. “Fair enough. Considering my presence is messing with your life, I’m sure I can help you out.”

We walk along in comfortable silence, which is surprising. No barbs, no tension. Just the sound of our footsteps echoing off the metal walls. It’s almost…nice.

Fuck. There’s that word again.

As we arrive at her door, I have the overwhelming urge to kiss her. She’s standing close enough that I can smell her perfume—something floral and expensive. Her lips are slightly parted, and for half a second I think she might be feeling it too. That pull.

But then she blinks, and the moment’s gone.

Clearly I’m still trying to prove that I’m better than nice and fine. It’s the only logical reason.

“Well, thank you for escorting me back. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And then she’s gone. The door shuts with a click and I’m left standing there looking at it.

“Okay then,” I mutter to myself.

I’m half undressed by the time I get back to my bunk. Boot is lifting dumbbells with earphones in. Kit is talking to someone on her laptop. I presume it’s her very pregnant sister, and Cheddar is…throwing Wotsits atherself.

“Oi oi, the wanderer returns,” she says after hitting herself in the eye. Her face has orange powder all over it.

“You’re a pig, you know that right?”

She laughs. “Only in here, Rome. Plus, Wotsits are my Kryptonite. I fucking love ’em.”

“So?” Boot gasps out as she continues to lift the weights.

I shrug. “It was as you imagine. Stuffy, uncomfortable, and pretentious. Just glad it’s done with.”

“Sarah says hi,” Kit calls from her bed. Skipping over, I shove my face in front of the camera. Kit’s sister is one of the nicest people I know. She told Kit’s parents to go fuck themselves when they disowned her for being queer.

“Romeo, it’s been too long. When are you coming to visit?”

“Soon, I promise. Although by the looks of you, you’ll have too much on your plate to want visitors.”

She groans. “I’m the size of a whale, and everything hurts. I just want the little fucker out of me.”

“Soon, sis. If you’ve not popped by the end of the month they’re gonna induce you, aren’t they?”

She nods. Her eyes show how utterly exhausted she is. “Hopefully I won’t have to wait that long. I’m on a diet of spicy food, and Benjamin is having to screw me three times a day.”

I love Sarah. She’s the family Kit deserves. The one who showed up when her parents turned their backs.Watching Kit talk to her, seeing that smile on her face—it makes something in my chest tighten.

I grimace. “No one needs to hear that, Sarah.”

Cackling, she winks. “You aren’t the only sexually promiscuous woman, Rome.”

“Is it promiscuous if it’s with your husband though?” I tease back.

“It is if you knew the positions we get into.”