Page 43 of Hook, Line and Single

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‘Before we get into the second half of our speed dating, I’m very excited to announce that we have another brand-new couple, courtesy of last night’s prize!’ Barry yells once we’re all assembled for our daily social in the Nautilus room. He’s been positively overflowing with joy since Cameron and I quietly asked to swap our amber badges for red ones.

Since getting them, we’ve been carefully skulking at the back of the room, out of Sam’s eyeline. To be fair, she’s been so engrossed with Robin I think we could have set a bomb off in here and she wouldn’t have noticed, but Barry’s announcement has evidently piqued her interest, as I can see her scanning the room to see if she can spot the new couple.

‘Ruby and Cameron, step forward, please,’ Barry calls. Cameron takes my hand in his and, for a moment, I’m frozen in confusion. It’s a long time since I’ve held a man’s hand and this is the first physical contact we’ve had. It’s not unpleasant at all; in fact, it’s rather nice. It’s just odd and it takes me a minute to adjust to the sensation. As we make our way over to join Barry, I meet Sam’s gaze. To my delight, her eyes are wide in confusion, and I can’t help flashing her a winning smile.

‘I have to tell you, ladies and gentlemen,’ Barry coos as we join him in the middle of the room, ‘that this is a first for me. In all my years of running these groups, I’ve never had two amber badges get together like this. In fact, I’ll go further and bet you that none of my fellow Marco Polo coordinators has had this happen either. It just goes to show that nothing is impossible where love is concerned. Guys, why don’t you share your story with the group?’

I glance at Cameron, who grins mischievously at me and murmurs, ‘Ladies first.’

‘I’m not sure that was in the plan,’ I whisper back.

‘Wing it.’

I can feel Sam’s eyes boring into me, and that’s enough to give me the impetus I need.

‘Well, Barry,’ I begin. ‘As you’ll know, I made no secret of the fact that I wasn’t looking for love when I joined the cruise. My best friend Sam over there made the bookings and curiously neglected to tell me that we were going to be part of this group. However, once I’d got over the initial shock, I decided to make the most of it, and that’s when I met Cameron. We toured Messina together and I thought we’d become friends, but then we had last night’s speed dating and I realised it could be more, so I wrote his name on my card and we were lucky enough to win Barry’s Bonanza. The rest is history.’

Barry looks like he’s going to explode with delight. ‘And what about you, Cameron?’

‘Oh, I spotted Ruby on the very first night, at the Singles Mingle event, but I was too shy to talk to her. However, when I saw her friend Sam get matched with Robin at the Blind Date evening, I realised it would leave Ruby on her own, and that gave me the courage to approach her. Like her, I didn’t imagine that it would lead to anything more than friendship, someone to spend time with, but I think last night’s speed dating and the time we spent together today was a revelation to both of us. We’ve had a brilliant time, thanks to your prize, and I’m very excited to see where this might lead.’

‘Aww, you guys are totally made for each other. Have you had a chance to talk about the future and how that might work for you both?’

‘It’s a bit early to be talking too much about the future, Barry,’ I admonish him. ‘But Cameron and I are both based in Kent so distance isn’t likely to be an issue, at least.’

I’m so good I’m almost convincing myself. As long as I keep my gaze away from Sam, I reckon I can pull this off. I give Cameron’s hand an encouraging squeeze and, to my delight, he returns it.

‘Well, I’m absolutely thrilled for you both,’ Barry says so warmly that, for a second, I feel bad about the deception. I give myself a mental shake and remind myself that I didn’t consent to this, so I’m perfectly within my rights to do whatever is necessary. ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Barry calls, ‘let’s give a huge round of applause to our newest couple, Ruby and Cameron! Why don’t you give us a kiss?’

Before I know what’s happening, Cameron has lowered his head to mine so our foreheads are touching. ‘OK?’ he whispers and, after a brief moment of hesitation, I nod. As our lips meet, my initial surprise at the sensation quickly gives way to something else. I know it’s not a ‘real’ kiss, that we’re merely putting on a show for Barry, Sam and Ashleigh, but it’s still very intimate. As he pulls away, I can feel my mouth tingling slightly from his stubble as it turns up into a smile. Sam’s eyes are out on stalks, I realise, which only increases my pleasure.

‘I thought we weren’t into PDA,’ I murmur to Cameron.

‘Just giving Barry what he wanted,’ he replies, his mouth also curved into a smile.

As soon as Barry releases us back into the group, I sense Sam detaching herself from Robin and, sure enough, she makes a beeline for me, grabbing my free hand.

‘Cameron,’ she asks in a voice so saccharine it could give the sugar plum fairy diabetes, ‘would you mindvery muchif I stole Ruby away, just for a second or two?’

I’m aware of Cameron tightening his grip and, for a moment, I wonder whether this is going to turn into some weird tug of war between them, with me as the rope.

‘I won’t be a minute, I promise,’ I say to him as I gently extricate my hand from his. Realising just in time that I need to make this look authentic, I reach up and give him another quick kiss, catching a whiff of his citrussy aftershave as I do.

‘What the actual fuck, Ruby?’ Sam asks as soon as we’re out of earshot of the rest of the group.

‘Nice to see you too,’ I reply sarcastically. Cameron and I may be faking it, but I’m still a little taken aback by her ferocity.

‘Don’t get me wrong,’ she continues, oblivious to my reaction, ‘I’m delighted for you both, but who are you and what have you done with my best friend? You know, the one who always says she doesn’t want a relationship and she’s fine as she is.’

‘I changed my mind,’ I say simply.

‘No. Changing your mind is deciding to have strawberry ice cream instead of chocolate. This is seismic. You know how it always makes the news for days if a government makes a U-turn? This is even bigger than that. How come you never said anything to me? I’m a little pissed off that I had to find out from Barry.’

‘This is the first I’ve seen of you since breakfast,’ I remind her.

She sighs. ‘That’s a fair point. How did it happen though? Come on. Spill the beans.’

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