Page 65 of Total Ship Show

She’s quiet for a moment and I can feel her getting ready to say what I don’t want to hear.

“It would never work, Aris.” She shakes her head. “Eventually one of us would get tired of the travel. Or one of us would have to cancel and the next meet would be up in the air and then never happen and then we’re in this limbo state.”

A piece of me is annoyed that she seems to have this whole scenario running in her head of all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together. In these days I’ve spent with her, she’s always been the risk taker. The go-getter. The girl willing to try anything. But now that we’re talking about our real lives, she’s shying away from what makes her happy.

She’s settling.

But I also know she’s not entirely wrong.

Fuck.

Why can’t this just be easier?

“I’m sorry, Ade.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she says, laying her hand on my chest. “None of this is your fault. It’s just the way the cookie crumbles.”

“Well for what it’s worth, I hate cookies right now.”

She laughs and I feel the vibration from her voice deep in my chest. Like it’s latching on and winding itself around my heart, squeezing it like it’s one of those damn stress balls.

We both grow quiet as we snuggle on the lounger overlooking the darkened waters. It’s peaceful up here on the top deck so I wrap my arms around Adrienne while she’s still sitting here with me and simply hold her, while I consider all she said and try to think of a way I can give her a few more good memories before this trip comes to an end.

Maybe if I’m lucky, like really fucking lucky, I can convince her to take a chance on us when all this is said and done.

Because hell, this girl has a hold on something in me and I’m not ready to let it go.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

ADRIENNE

“Good mooooorning,”Aris sings lightly in my ear. “Time to get up, Babe. We have plans today.”

Lazily I open my eyes, noticing the sunlight pouring into our room from the open balcony curtains. I stretch out my body, yawning away the morning grogginess, and then spot Aris leaning over me.

“I got you some coffee. Drink up. We leave in twenty minutes.”

My brows pinch as I sit up in the bed. “Twenty minutes? What’s going on?” I’m pretty sure those words come out as a complete sleepy mumble because Aris chuckles and kisses the top of my head.

“It’s a surprise excursion. Come on. Time to get you up so you can grab a bite to eat before we go.”

I swing my legs out of the bed and work on autopilot as I dig through my suitcase for clothes. “What do you mean a surprise excursion? I didn’t sign up for anything.”

“I know, Babe.” He winks and gives me an excited brow wag. “I signed us up for one last night, last minute.”

“Why did you go and do that?”

“You’ll understand when you see where we’re going and what we’re doing. I promise you’re going to love it.” He shoos me toward the bathroom. “Brush your teeth and pull your hair up. It’s totally casual today. You may even get a little dirty.”

“Well, what do I owe you? I can pay for my own way. I’m happy to reimburse you.”

“You’ll do no such thing.” He shakes his head, smoothing his hands down my shoulders and kissing my forehead. “This is a gift. For you.” He smiles.

“But—”

“No buts,” he says, laying a finger on my lips. “I just want you to enjoy the day and take it all in. Every moment. Can you do that?”

I raise a brow. “And you’re certain I’m going to love it?”

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