Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“Like what’s supposed—oh my god.”
I layer my hands over his mouth. “Don’t say another word! Are you absolutely out of your mind? We are not doing that! We are not going to have great sex in fun tropical places and mistake it for falling in love. That’s like cruise ship–fling rule number one. I’m shocked you don’t know this.”
When I trust that he’s not going to continue down the same road he was headed, I slip my hand away from his mouth.
“Can we go talk somewhere?” he asks, nodding past the crowd and toward the doorway.
“Yeah, I’m starting to get a headache anyway.”
There actually is a finite amount of time a human brain can listen to Whitney Houston blaring at full blast, and I’ve reached it. I’m more than happy to let Phillip drag me out of La Dame. On my way, I blow a kiss and shoot a wink at Sienna, who’s dancing hot and heavy with Javier. I haven’t had the chance to ask her how serious they are. Have they set tight parameters around their relationship like we have? (Also, are they failing as miserably at upholding those parameters as we are?)
The thought drifts away with a new immediate need.
“Water.”
I’ve never been so thirsty in my life.
Phillip has my hand, and he knows where to go, even if I’m suddenly feeling drunker than ever. “I’ll take you back to your suite.”
He calls the elevator, then leads me inside, watching me beneath his black lashes so that eventually, I’m forced to ask, “What?”
He shakes his head.
“You’re hopeless, Phillip Woodmont.”
“And you’re—”
“Drunk,” I insert, trying to cut the tension. I feel like I have to keep us in check. He’s certainly not going to!
“Tell me why you quit your job.”
I stare ahead, ignoring his attention. Counting those little glowing numbers changing as we ascend decks. “I’d rather not.”
“Fine. Tell me, at least, if that’s why you were upset yesterday?”
Ugh! “Yes. Partly.” I rush the words out, hoping to get this over with fast. Now, in my current state, I can’t exactly remember why I didn’t want to bring Phillip in on everything. Because it’s messy and chaotic? Oh well. He’s not under some assumption that I’m a perfect Vivienne type. That ship has sailed. “Also, I was sad because it’s been a hard few weeks. Moving out of my grandmother’s house and having to put her things in storage . . .” I shake my head, hoping to push past the fresh wave of sadness. “In some ways, I feel like I’m experiencing her death all over again. It’s been harder than I realized it would be. And do not get me started on work. Gwen Levis can go screw herself, for all I care. My exit from Bon Voyage was not exactly amicable, and I refuse to apologize for it.”
He squeezes my hand, trying to reassure me.
No!
We’re not doing this.
I turn to him. “Enough of that. Now tell me, what are the chances that we’re about to get it on once we get to my suite? Fifty fifty? Seventy thirty?”
He tips his head, smiling. “Zero. I’m stone-cold sober.”
“Such a disappointment,” I say once the elevator reaches my floor. “So then why are you coming up here with me?” I ask, leading him down the hallway.
Outside my door, I present my key card to him like I’m Vanna White; then he swipes it and we’re in.
“Can I interest you in a drink?”
“I thought you needed water.”
My eyes go wide. “Yes! Water.”
I forgot about my thirst, but now it’s come back with a vengeance. I practically run toward my minibar and fill up a crystal glass, guzzle it down, and then have another.
Once I’m done, I turn to Phillip so I can ask something I’ve been wondering about. “So you have no idea where Vivienne is? She left last night?”
He’s still near the door. He’s been taking in the suite while I was quenching my thirst. Now, he looks at me. “She’s probably back home by now. I’m not sure. We haven’t been in contact since our breakup, beyond a few awkward texts, and after last night, I doubt she’ll be calling me anytime soon.”
“Was she upset when you didn’t take her back?”
I bet she was. My heart hurts just thinking of being in her position. I could never imagine breaking up with Phillip. If I were lucky enough to trick him into dating me, that man would have a ring on his finger so fast. We’d be down the aisle ASAP. I’d be so scared to lose him that I wouldn’t want to take any chances. And she just . . . left him?
“She was surprised, I think, by it. I assume she thought it would go differently. Sienna didn’t really help things.”
I wince before looking at him. I’m relieved he doesn’t look annoyed.