Page 42 of Cruising with You

“Coffee as black as your ex’s soul?” I wink. “Why, yes. Yes, it is.”

“Why do I only attract assholes, Gage?”

“Maybe because you’re looking in the wrong places. Have you decided whether you’re going to attend the singles’ cruise this year?”

“I dunno,” she hedges.

“You should. Nora is friends with one of the bartenders. She thinks you two would hit it off.”

“You think?”

I shrug. Hell if I know, but I’m not about to douse the hope shining in Bertie’s eyes. “Sure. Why not?”

“Then I guess I’ll pack my bags. Nora is lucky to have you, you know.”

I wave her off. “Nah, I’m the lucky one to have her. And you should be grateful she trained me to bring in coffee whenever I stop by her office. Is she still getting ready?”

“Yup. The makeup artist is finishing up with her. Then you guys should be all set for the interview.”

“Sounds good. Will Conner and Gem be joining us too?”

Conner and Gem didn’t work out romantically, but they did become great friends. The reporter is planning to spin their relationship as a plan B for anyone who decides to purchase tickets to the second annualWritten in the Stars Singles’ Cruise. Nora and I…well, we’re plan A. Find the love of your life, whether you’re actively looking or they fall into your lap.

Nora and I have been dating for a year now, and I can honestly say I’ve never been happier. I just hope she feels the same way.

“Yo! Gage! Get your butt in here!” Gem shouts down the hall.

Rolling my eyes, I wave to Bertie. “See ya later.”

“Good luck!” she returns before taking a sip of coffee.

The glass doors to the conference room give me a perfect view of Gem and Conner, who look like they’re about to get started with their portion of the interview. Raising her pointer finger, she tells the interviewer to give her a second, then steps into the hall where I’m still standing.

“Nora is in her office. They decided to set up the makeup station there.”

“Bertie told me.”

Releasing a deep breath, she nods. “Okay, good. Are you ready?”

I pat my front pocket. “Yeah. Do you think she’s going to be mad at me for putting her on the spot in front of a cameraman?”

“Meh. She’ll be fine. Besides, I had to run it past Jess who thinks it’s going to be the best free advertising thatPolished––and the cruise––has ever seen.”

Dropping my voice low, I whisper-shout, “You told Jess too?”

“Dude. I had to. She’s my boss. But I promise she didn’t say a word to anyone else, and neither have I. You got this.”

I squeeze the back of my neck before muttering, “Yeah, yeah. I’m going to go find Nora. Good luck with the interview.”

“You too.” She gives me a quick wink, then saunters back into the conference room while I head a little further down the hall to find my future wife.

If she’ll have me.

Nora

“Alright, you’re done. What do you think?” the makeup artist asks while inspecting her handiwork.

Raising a hand mirror a foot away from my face, I do a quick scan before grinning. “Looks great! Thank you.”

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