Page 26 of Total Ship Show

“Okay. That’s something. Was it the mattress? The blankets? Room too cold? Too hot?”

“None of those things.”

“Are you afraid of the dark?”

I grin. “No.”

“Was it the mermaids?”

“Huh?”

“You know…half human…half fish.”

“I know what mermaids are, Aris.”

“Well, did you see some swimming out your window? Were you captivated by their beauty? Did they try to lure you off the ship? I hear mermaids aren’t half as nice as they’re portrayed to be in books and fairytales.”

I shake my head. “None of those things. My room was just a bit too loud last night.”

“Loud?” He frowns.

“Someone was having the sex on the other side of my wall.”

Aris grins. “The sex…”

I lay my fork down on my plate and stare at him. “Yes. The sex. Two people getting it on against my wall and I had to hear it go on and on and on.”

“Sounds like a good time if you ask me. At least someone was gettin’ laid.” He leans and whispers, “It is a romance cruise you know. Sex is bound to happen.”

“Yeah, well it wasn’t just sex between strangers, Aris. It was Pippa and James. Of all people to be rooming next to.”

“Wait.” He tilts his head. “Jock Strap James and Pippa are in the room next to you?”

“Yes.” I start to whine. “I saw them groping each other before they went into their room and then ugh…they went at it long into the night.”

I don’t remember him ever going that long with me.

He must be medicated.

“Oh man. I’m sorry, Adrienne. Why didn’t you just call me?”

“Because we left each other last night without exchanging numbers and I didn’t know what room you were in. I really didn’t think the concierge would tell me that information given we’re not here together, technically. And besides, there’s nothing you could’ve done about it anyway.”

“Hmm. Okay well first, let’s change the phone thing right now.” He hands me his phone. “Add yourself to my contacts and I can do the same with your phone since who knows how well text messages will travel while we’re in the middle of the ocean.”

“Alright.”

He takes a sip of his coffee and then stands. “Secondly, this is an easy fix. You can just move in with me for the week.”

I nearly choke on my bite of pancake. “What?”

“It’s no big deal. I have more than enough room. Plus, it gets you away from the one person you don’t want to be around this week.” He shrugs. “Win-win. It’s a great upgrade from the room you’re currently in. You’ll be able to hang out on the balcony if you want to. It was beautiful last night.”

“You want me to sleep with you?”

A slow grin grows across his face. “I mean, I didn’t say that, but a man would be an idiot to turn you down so I wouldn’t say no.”

I roll my eyes again with an annoyed head tilt. “That’s not what I meant.”

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