Page 28 of Total Ship Show

I could spend the next six days right here and not be mad about it.

Over by the pool there’s a group of men hanging out, laughing and having what looks to be a great time together. There are enough of them over there to make a stunningly good calendar for any woman. A few of them are even in speedos, which would normally pique my interest but gazing at all of them, the thought enters my mind that not one of them holds a candle to Aris.

Not enough meat on their bones.

Not enough packing down below.

Chests aren’t broad enough.

Not many of them have facial hair.

This girl wants at least a five o’clock shadow.

I open my book to do a little pleasure reading while I wait for Aris when I see an attractive guy carrying what I assume is his girlfriend or wife on his back through the throngs of people. He slowly lowers her between a set of occupied lounge chairs, and she hobbles just a bit.

She must have an injury.

Poor girl. Injured on vacation?

The guy turns after lowering the woman and kisses another man on each of his cheeks.

“Whoa. How does one say he’s just not that into you, girl?” I chuckle to myself. People watching is the greatest sometimes. Especially when done behind mirrored sunglasses.

Narrowing my eyes, I murmur, “Holy shit, what’s happening now?” Another man, strong shouldered, dark tanned skin, dripping wet from the pool, finds his way to the woman and seems to be all up in her business.

“Hmm. Maybe he’s a jealous husband?” I whisper to myself. “Oooh, star-crossed lovers maybe? Damn…look at him eyeing her like that. He totally wants her. Whether or not either of them knows it yet…” I shake my head, grinning, and then pick up my book to begin reading once again.

A yelp comes from that area, and I lift my head again to see the woman with the injury almost fall onto a chair, but someone else catches her. Though I can’t hear what she’s saying I can tell she’s a bit upset. She turns in a huff and looks my way.

Shit.

She didn’t see me watching, did she?

She gestures to the empty chair near me and starts to walk this way, so I pretend to keep reading until she gets a little closer.

Oh no! She’s limping.

Guilt overcomes me. “Let me help you with that.” I take her beach bag, noticing her ankle seems to be giving her a little trouble. I gesture to the beach towel tucked into the top of her tote. “Want me to spread this towel for you?”

“Oh my god, you’re amazing,” she says.

I smile and spread her towel for her, and she lowers herself down onto the lounger with a sigh. “You have no idea how nice it is to make a female acquaintance,” she says. “I’m here with my friend Jamie, and he’s got a crush on that guy right there,” she points to a man, who’s dancing around between the loungers at the center of his friends. “Now I’m doing nothing but hanging out with a bunch of dudes, while Jamie makes his move.”

“That can’t be all bad,” I chuckle then point to the broad shouldered, tanned guy I saw her talking to a minute ago. “That guy is kinda pretty. Is he gay too?”

“I don’t think so,” she says. She watches him for a moment and shakes her head. “I don’t care if heisstraight. He’s grumpy as hell.” She tries to laugh it off, but I can see it in the way she looks at him too. Phew, if they’re not getting it on yet, I would bet anything they will be the end of this trip.

“That can be hot.” I wink at her. “I’m Adrienne from LA, by the way.” I offer her my hand to shake.

“Z-“ she starts and then shakes her head. “I’m Anna. Also, from LA.”

No way!

“Really? What do you do there?”

“I’m Meghan Marconi’s, um, body double,” she explains.

My eyes bulge and my brows lift. “Wait, Meghan Marconi, the actress? No way!” With my hand on my chest I proclaim, “I’m an actress myself. I mean, I want to be. I’m no Meghan Marconi. I audition a lot, and I got a part in a few commercials and a small part in aLaw and Orderepisode which I was really excited about.” My shoulders fall a little. “Like I said, definitely not Meghan Marconi level just yet.”

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