Page 47 of Capitally Unexpected

Maybe try to remove expectations. If you guys had fun before, it’ll be even better becauseyou know each other now.

Jax

And have feelings. Ugh, feelings. They do make it better.

Laurel

Plus, ya know, pregnancy hormones.

Michelle

All right, that’s enough outta you.

Love you, ladies. Talk to you when we get back.

Jax

Have fun!

Charlotte

Be safe!

Laurel

Get some!

Chapter

Eighteen

Michelle

Twenty-four weeks pregnant

“Did you know cruise ships were this big?” I say, looking up the side of the massive boat we’re about to board.

“Well, I think it’s perspective. We’re standing right under it. And compared to the sea, it’s tiny?”

“Not helpful, Hunter.” I smack his chest lightly. Anyone listening in would think he’s being an ass, but this is the third time we’ve done this since parking the car in the long-term garage fifteen minutes ago. His first two answers were more supportive. And every time ...

“It’s still over an hour to departure. We can go home.” He puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him.

“No, I’ll be okay once we get on board and can’t see the boat anymore. Nothing to compare it to size-wise then.” I hope. I’m really excited to get away, but the floating boat thing is sort of freaking me out a bit. But, with lots of new things, I’m nervous until I get started and then it gets better. Cruises will be another one of those things.

“That’s the spirit.” Hunter lets go of my shoulder to grab our luggage and rolls it forward as the line to board inches ahead.

That’s another thing I didn’t realize. How long it takes to board a cruise. It’s not like a train, where you can show up five minutes before and still have time for a vending machine snack. Or an airport, even if you don’t have PreCheck. I’m very ready for our cabin, a bed, and a nap.

We people watch, murmuring to each other things we see from those outside our ear shot. Soon enough, it’s our turn to board.

“Tickets and waivers, please?” The cruise staffer looks at us expectantly.

Hunter shows him something on his phone. “And I submitted the waivers this morning.”

Waivers? I guess it makes sense we would need to sign something. I stand there and smile, not wanting to look clueless and hold anything up.

“Hmm, I don’t see them marked as completed when I scanned your ticket. You’ll need to?—”

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