Page 15 of Total Ship Show

I swallow the rest of my Corona, staring at her as it slides down my throat and then finally, I just come out with it.

“I’m in desperate need of a girlfriend for the week.”

CHAPTERFIVE

ADRIENNE

My brows raise. “Desperate, huh?”

He bows his head, a little uncomfortable. “You have no idea.”

“Pretty sure I do. I just begged you to be my loving boyfriend to save face in front of an ex. Does that mean your ex is here too?”

“Worse. My family.”

I wince. “Oooh that might actually be worse. Why on earth did your family come on a cruise like this? It’s like, nothing but horny couples and flirty singles.”

“Oh, there’s a reason. I promise.”

Oh no. This ought to be good.

“You want to find a quiet place to sit and tell me about it?”

He looks at me, surprised. “You mean you’re not just saying no right away?”

Jutting my hip out, I raise both hands like I’m a scale weighing my options. “Hmm, hang with the funny, easy-going hot doctor for the week or let him walk away and tell everyone I came here alone…”

He laughs. “Well, when you put it that way.”

“I mean, I’m at least willing to hear you out.”

“You hungry?”

Actually, it has been hours since the first plane ride.

“I could eat.”

He offers me his hand which I take willingly. “Let’s go hide somewhere and chat over food.”

“Perfect.”

We make our way to The Pizza Place on deck seven in hopes that most people will be gathering above us where they have a better view of the water when we pull out of port. We order our food and grab a couple waters and then find a secluded table where hopefully we won’t be seen by anyone in our respective parties. We’re quiet for a minute as we eat our pizza and then he finds my gaze again.

“So, you’re an actress?”

Chewing my bite, I bob my head back and forth and then swallow. “I’m no big Hollywood star if that’s what you’re wondering. I went to college but got bit by the acting bug and wanted to see what might happen, so I moved to L.A.”

“And?”

“I get by alright, I guess. But I do more side-gigs to pay rent than I do acting if I’m being honest. Couple commercials here and there. Small part on aLaw & Orderepisode. Did a few pilot episodes that never got off the ground. That sort of thing.”

“Ah. I see.”

“James never liked it. I think he thought he would soon be dating some hot Hollywood big shot but when that never happened his demeanor changed, and he became an asshole.”

“Loser.”

“Yeah. Tell me about it. Anyway, he dumped me a couple years ago on Christmas Eve.”

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