Page 87 of The Vacation Mix-Up
“How does it look?” she snaps, lip snarling.
“Sore,” I admit. “I really am sorry.”
She doesn’t say anything more, so I stand there awkwardly, waiting for the three of them to scoot along one seat to allow Riley and I to sit at the end of the row, but none of them budge.
Okaaay. I guess I’ll climb over them.
Shuffling in front of Brittany, I almost trip when Ben pats his lap. “Come and sit on my knee, love.”
Riley clasps my arm and tugs me back. “Nice try, Michigan. Move up a seat. It’s easier.”
They scoot along, so I take the seat between Riley and Brittany.
“Where have you kids been?” Ben asks.
“We spent the day on shore.” I sip my drink and snicker. “Riley ate whale and bugs. And I flew in a helicopter.”
Ben gives Riley an animated yet disgusted look, which, of course, I find amusing.
“What did you do?” I ask him.
“Chartered a boat through some mountains. Boring as bat shit.”
“Doesn’t sound boring.”
“It was, love.”
“Why’d you eat a bug?” Brittany asks Riley.
“It wasn’t intentional.”
I snicker again, and he playfully prods me in the ribs.
“Hey!” I nudge him back. “I nearly spilled my drink.”
He prods me again.
“Stop it! I’m ticklish.”
Brittany shuffles back into her seat, and I wonder if Riley realizes she likes him. It’s obvious, given the way she looks and acts around him, so maybe he does. Then again, men are normally clueless where women are concerned, so perhaps he doesn’t. Plus, he’s in the process of getting a divorce, so he may not be interested.
He did say he’d hook up with a woman if he wanted to though.I side-eye them.Surely, she’s too young for him.
Uncrossing my legs, I fidget uncomfortably before crossing them again, when our cruise director jogs onto the stage.
“Welcome, cruiselings.” He claps his hands, then waves to the crowd. “Did you all have a wonderful day in Qaqortok?”
A resounding “Yes!” echoes throughout the auditorium, followed by an obnoxious “Boo!” bellowed from Ben’s throat.
I dip my head, embarrassed.
“It sounds like most of you did, which is fantastic. What a spectacular place, huh?” He nods passionately. “Now, before we get to this afternoon’s fun and games, don’t forget that tomorrow is a sea day as we journey to Reykjavik, Iceland. But sea days are glee days, right?”
We all answer “Yes!” and this time, Ben whistles like a manic kettle.
“We have plenty for you to see and do tomorrow. Bingo with Eddie will be held here in the theatre at nine, and for those booked to do the Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tour, there will be five sessions. You’ll find your session allocation either in your cabin box outside your door or on your app.”
Keeping my eyes trained on Paul, I lean in to Riley and whisper, “That reminds me… I booked you on that tour with me. I hope that’s okay. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want?—”
