Page 30 of Viktor at Sea

“Can’t you see we’re in the middle of something here?” I snapped at him, still down on one knee.

Crosby clearly had the same idea as me about proposing to Astrid sooner rather than later. He must have heard me propose and declare my undying love for Astrid, but he didn’t have the decency to give us a moment of privacy.

Astrid hadn’t even given me an answer yet, for Heaven’s sake!

“And can’t you see that we’re in the middle of something right now?” He snapped right back at me. “Now, if you don’t mind, please make yourself scarce. I’m in the middle of a proposal here.”

“No, you’re not,” I gritted my teeth around the words, unable to believe the nerve of this man.

“Oh, please,” Crosby huffed and rolled his eyes. “You’ve had your moment,Captain Viktor. It’s now my time,” he sneered at me though it made no sense. As if there was anything to beashamed about being the captain of a ship as large and grand as The Serpent. On the contrary, it was quite an honour.

Before I could shut him down, Crosby had the nerve to start his speech with me still on one knee by his side.

“I love you, Astrid Skau. You’re beautiful, smart and everything I’ve ever wanted in a wife. Would you do the honour of accepting my proposal for your hand in marriage?” Crosby asked, flipping open his box to reveal the engagement ring.

I was a little more than smug to find that mine was far nicer, bigger and definitely more expensive.

“You call that a marriage proposal?” I snickered, taking great joy in the shameful red that coloured his cheeks. “You must have heard me propose to Astrid. You could have taken some notes from that.”

“Unlike you, I chose to keep things short and simple.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m surprised Astrid hasn’t fallen asleep yet from how long you were talking. I yawned twice.”

“Are you two going to finish arguing anytime soon, or do you need another moment to yourselves?” Astrid snapped, and both our heads whipped up to stare at her.

“Sorry, Astrid,” Crosby apologised and turned to face me again. “That’s your cue to leave, Viktor. I would say that it was nice seeing you, but that would be a lie.”

“I don’t think so,” I snorted. “You’re the one that should leave, Crosby. I was here first. You arrived in the middle of my proposal.”

“And what a waste of breath that was.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I growled under my breath, not wanting Astrid to overhear. She already didn’t have a great impression of me. I couldn’t afford to make it worse.

“Astrid is never going to accept your proposal. All of that was just a waste of your time.”

“You think she’ll accept your proposal over mine?”

Crosby had the nerve to look smug and confident as he replied, “I’m sure of it.”

I ground my teeth. “How can you be so sure of that?”

“Because she hates you.”

My jaw clenched, and I forced myself to tear my eyes away from him. The last thing I needed right now was to get into a fistfight with this stupid piece of scum and give Astrid even more reason to reject me.

I couldn’t deny it. His words had struck a chord inside me, hitting right where it hurt. I was already worried that despite Astrid’s reassurance, she still hated me.

“She doesn’t hate me,” I denied through gritted teeth. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Go away before I take you out to sea and drown you.”

“Viktor!” Astrid called to me from above. “That’s a terrible thing to say!”

“I didn’t mean it, Astrid,” I lied, smirking at her. “I was only jesting with Crosby.”

“It’s still a horrible thing for you to say,” Astrid pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at me, but I didn’t miss the mirth that swam in her eyes.

“See,” Crosby snickered. “I told you she hates you.”

“Okay, that’s enough!” Astrid spoke loudly from above. “Both of you have already proposed to me. I don’t want to hear anything else from either of you until I’ve made my decision.”

Before either of us could say anything else, Astrid slammed her windows closed, shutting us out.

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