Page 23 of Total Ship Show

“I’m just doing what I’ve been educated and trained to do. And sometimes it’s not saving lives. Sometimes it’s knowing when it’s time to stop trying to save them and let them go. Sometimes it’s sitting with mourning families. Kids, wives, husbands, mothers, fathers. It’s not all glitter and rainbows.”

“Wow. You’re right. I’m sorry,” she says. “I guess I never really considered all those non-happy parts of the job.”

“It’s a rewarding job and it pays well, but money doesn’t buy happiness.”

“So, what makes Aris McElfry happy?”

Isn’t that the question of the century?

What the hell makes me happy.

I scoff out a quiet chuckle. “I guess I really don’t have the answer to that.”

She frowns. “What? Come on, something in this life has to make you happy.”

“Working with my best friend makes me happy. Playing with his kids makes me smile.”

“See? That’s something. What do you do when you’re not at work?”

“I spend a lot of time in my garden or working at this community gardening co-op type of place we have in Seattle. It’s peaceful. It’s quiet. I like helping people. Helping the community.”

“So, you are truly a man who works with his hands in all things, eh? A green thumb to boot?”

I nod. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do.”

She yawns and I internally cringe for keeping her up so late. I dart my eyes around the area where we’re sitting and there is not another human being in sight.

“Wow. We’re the only ones up here. I guess I didn’t realize it was so late. You tired?”

“A little.” She smiles. “I guess we should probably get some sleep, huh? Tomorrow’s a whole new day.”

I stand from my chair and offer my hand to help her up, not wanting to watch her walk away. “You want me to walk you to your room?”

“I think I can manage but thank you for the offer. Want to meet for breakfast in the morning?”

“Of course. I would never make my fiancée eat alone.”

Together we walk to the elevators, hitting our respective buttons. She sees what number I push and turns to me, her brows raised.

“You have a balcony room?” She shakes her head. “Wait. That’s none of my business. Sorry. That was a stupid question.”

“No stupid questions. And yes, there’s a terrace on my room. You’ll have to come check it out sometime. It even has a hammock to sit and watch the water. I only reserved it because I thought I would be alone on this trip and wanted to be able to sit outside and read or sleep or…whatever.”

“Good thinking.”

The elevator reaches my floor and dings. “This is me.”

“Good night, Aris. Thank you again for a fun day.”

This is the moment when I would usually kiss the girl. The goodnight kiss. And I did already kiss Adrienne once today so kissing her again probably wouldn’t be too out of the realm of possibility except that I was kissing her for a reason earlier. If I did it now, it would be purely for my enjoyment.

I don’t want to scare her away.

Or come across too strong.

So, I step off the elevator and turn back toward her. Her eyes droopy, her blonde hair windblown. Even still, she’s beautiful.

“Goodnight, Turtle Tit Tayla.”

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