Page 58 of Total Ship Show

“I have no fucking idea,” he answers, wiping a hand over his face and laughing. “I think I panicked for a minute and couldn’t, in that instant, remember what I had said to them before.”

“Ah, not good at the lying game, huh?” I nudge him with my shoulder teasingly.

“Apparently not. Not in front of certain family members anyway. I can say whatever I want to my mother but—”

“Aiden.” I nod.

“Yes!” He turns gesturing to me. “Right? I always feel like he should’ve been a private investigator or a detective or something because he tends to know when I’m lying.”

“Do you think he’ll say something to your family?”

Should I be worried?

“Nah.” Aris shrugs. “I’m not sure he cares enough to even worry about it. If he hasn’t said anything by now, I can’t see why he would later. Come on. Let’s go experience the day.”

“Hey Aris?” I stop him before we head on.

“Yeah?”

“Just out of curiosity, whatisyour middle name?”

He smiles his megawatt smile complete with sexy little dimple and answers, “Andrew.”

* * *

As many people fall into their specific groups and lines waiting to board their buses to whatever excursions await them, Aris and I make our way up the pier to walk around a few shops to see what’s around before hitting the beach. Along the way I see Jackie and Dave, Grace and Derek, and Amanda and Michelle standing in line with the group of people heading to the jungle river tubing excursion. Then I spot Anna, the woman I ran into at the pool a couple days ago, and the tall, dark, and handsome guy who looked upset with her trailing beside her as they stand in line for the longer zip-lining and tubing excursion.

Hmm. I wonder what his problem was that day and if that stick is still up his ass.

We also see a few people walking off toward the huge Margaritaville restaurant and water park. I consider asking Aris if he would rather go there, but he has his sights on the small strip of shops at the end of the road.

A man who likes to shop?

Yes please!

“Where do you want to go first?” I ask him.

“In here,” he says, pulling me into a jewelry store. “My girl needs a gift.”

I stop in my tracks, yanking his arm to stop. “Wait, why? Aris, I don’t need anything.” I hold up the beach bag on my arm. “You bought me a new bag when mine was barfed on, remember? And you didn’t even need to do that. I certainly don’t need anything in here.”

He circles back to me, grabbing my face and kissing me, gently, but with enough passion to make me want to forgo the beach and high tail it back to our room.

He gazes into my dazed eyes and smiles. “Don’t freak out, okay? It’s just a gift. It’s not like it’s an engagement ring or something, though according to you, we’re engaged, remember? Any guy in a serious relationship would buy his girl something nice if given the chance, right? What kind of man would I be if I didn’t buy you a gift that you can wear to dinner tonight, so my family thinks we’re in love?”

“But—”

“And I like you, Adrienne,” he says, his eyes traveling back and forth between mine. “You’ve made what I thought would be the cruise from Hell a most enjoyable trip. Bumping into you might just be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“You mean thrusting into me,” I correct him.

He laughs, bowing his head and nodding. “Yeah, that too. You’re hot as fuck, I’m not going to lie.” He gestures to the small little jewelry shop on the corner. “Besides, this isn’t like walking into Tiffany’s. I just thought you deserved something nice. Something to remind you of this trip.”

“As if I could ever forget it.” I snort.

“Come on.” He tugs on my arm. “Let’s just have a look.”

Finally, I concede, taking his hand and stepping inside the small shop filled with beautiful handmade jewelry made from treasures of the sea.

---