Page 18 of Ship Happens

“For the record, though,” he adds, offering his arm, “you look stunning.”

I ignore his outstretched arm. “This isn’t a date.”

“No, it’s a televised interview where we’re supposed to appear as if we don’t want to kill each other.” He keeps his arm extended. “Which might be more convincing if we aren’t standing three feet apart.”

He has a point, however irritating. I reluctantly place my hand on his arm, trying to ignore how solid he feels beneath the expensive fabric of his suit.

“I’ve reviewed the format,” he says as we walk toward the elevator. “Standard love-cruise fare—how we met, what attracted us to each other, most romantic moments. I figured we could redirect most questions toward environmental topics.”

“You think they’ll let us turn a romance segment into a climate change PSA?”

“They will if I insist on it.” He presses the elevator button. “I’ve told the host you’re passionate about marine conservation and that’s what attracted me to you initially.”

“That’s actually... not terrible.”

The elevator arrives, and he gestures for me to enter first. “I do occasionally have good ideas, Dr. Bennett.”

“Occasionally being the operative word.”

Once we’re alone in the elevator, Ethan’s expression is more serious. “There’s something you should know before we go on air.”

My stomach tightens. “What?”

“Some environmental accounts are questioning your integrity for joining in these activities with me. Calling it selling out.”

I freeze. “What? Show me.”

He pulls out his phone and opens Twitter, displaying several posts from prominent environmental activists criticizing me for “cozying up to the enemy” and “betraying the cause.” My heart sinks as I scroll through the comments.

“These people used to respect me,” I say quietly.

“They still would if they knew the entire story.” Ethan takes his phone back. “We could tell them.”

“Tell them what? That you’re blackmailing me with research data?”

“I prefer to think of it as an exchange of services.” The elevator stops, and he places his hand lightly on my lower back as the doors open. “But yes, we could explain that you’re investigating our sustainability claims.”

The warmth of his palm against my bare skin is distracting. “Which would defeat the purpose of your PR stunt.”

“Not necessarily.” We walk through the opulent lobby toward the Starlight Deck. “It could show transparency—Cole Tech so confident in our environmental initiatives that we invited a vocal critic to evaluate them from the inside.”

I glance at him skeptically. “That’s actually... smart.”

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“I’m trying to reconcile the person who orchestrated my public humiliation with the one proposing a reasonable solution.”

He grins. “We all have more than one side to us, Dr. Bennett.”

Before I can respond, we’re intercepted by a woman with an iPad and a headset. “Mr. Cole, Dr. Bennett! Perfect timing. We’re set up on the Starlight Deck. You’ll be on in five minutes.”

She ushers us through glass doors onto a deck transformed into an outdoor broadcasting studio. Plush love seats face a glittering ocean backdrop, with studio lights positioned to catch the moonlight reflecting off the water. A crowd has already gathered in a cordoned-off area to watch the filming.

“This is... elaborate,” I whisper to Ethan.

“The Love Confessions segment is quite popular.” He keeps his hand at my back, steering me toward the host—a polished woman in her forties with a professional smile.

“Mr. Cole, Dr. Bennett! I’m Victoria Wells, your host for tonight.” She shakes our hands. “We’re so excited to have you both. The ship is buzzing about your whirlwind romance.”

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