Page 38 of It Could Happen
“No fair,” Tyler replies. “When I get married, I want my own hashtag.”
Why does that not surprise me?
“Ifyou get married, we will make sure you have one,” Clint says, patting him on his back.
“Babe, we need to come up with a hashtag,” Erica says wrapping her arms around Christian’s neck and kissing him on the cheek.
“What about you?” Matt asks, tapping me on the shoulder.
“Me?” I ask. “I don’t care about a hashtag or a wedding. I’d be thrilled to be married on a beach in Hawaii. My mom would hate it, but she’d get over it eventually.”
“Now that sounds like a good plan,” Matt says.
I see Caroline grinning out of the corner of my eye. I’m sure Matt and I randomly discussing wedding locations has made her giddy.
“Okay, team, we should probably head to dinner, and I thought it would be really fun to sit boy-girl, boy-girl at the table,” Erica squeals.
“Why does it matter?” Rachel asks with a frustrated sigh. “We’re on vacation. We don’t need assigned seats.”
“Come on, Rachel, be a team player,” Erica pleads.
Erica sounds like a coach or the CEO. Either way, she obviously enjoys being in charge.
We start to make our way toward the stairs and move down to the restaurant we’re assigned to for the evening.
Matt offers me his arm, and I gladly take it. I like Matt. He’s funny and easygoing.
“Were you aware of our seating arrangements?” he asks, keeping his voice low.
I shake my head. “I had no idea. I’m just here for the food.”
He laughs. “Good answer.”
Erica takes the lead when we arrive at the restaurant and begins shouting orders. She’s very serious about her seating arrangement idea. Of course, as luck would have it, I’m sitting between Tyler and Matt, Leslie is on the other side of Tyler, then Andy, Caroline, Clint, Rachel, Christian and Erica. I can’t decide if Rachel’s happy with her seat next to Christian or not. Maybe all the liquid courage is paying off. At least she’s here—so that’s progress.
Andy holds up his water glass and thanks us for being here with them. Caroline is fighting back tears, per usual.
I try to keep my body facing Matt as much as I can, so I don’t have to watch Leslie and Tyler’s flirting.
The server comes and takes drink orders while we study the menus. Meals on cruises are fun, because people tend to order items they wouldn’t normally—like escargot and caviar.
“What are you getting?” Tyler asks, leaning into me. I’m immediately reminded of his delicious scent, but I continue to study the menu as I try not to let his close proximity phase me.
“I think I’m going to try the ahi appetizer, the wedge salad, and the sea bass.”
“Great choices,” Tyler says closing his menu. “I’ll have the same.”
Matt looks over me and gives him a curious look.
“Yeah, I think I’ll have the same, except I’ll have the soup instead of a salad,” Matt adds.
Um, what’s going on here?
After everyone places their orders, and Rachel excuses herself go to the restroom, I take the opportunity to take a break from the fun as well.
As soon as we’re away from the dining room, Rachel starts talking more than I’ve ever heard her speak.
“I keep reminding myself that I can do this for a few days,” she says urgently. She suddenly seems anxious and bothered.
