If she had a dollar for all the times…
Scheduled to dock in Seattle Friday. Can’t wait for my own shower and bed.
Rey
Will you let minnow when?
Only if you stop the puns!
After her earlier cruise, he’d ordered bread and fruit from an online grocery service to be waiting for her. Guessing that he wanted to do that again almost atoned for the atrocious joke.
Rey
Sorry if I went overboard.
Needed distraction.
Something wrong?
Rey
Not with me. Kade’s in a rough spot.
She suspected Kade’s injuries must be worse than Rey’s because of the protective way he wrote about the youngersoldier, but she didn’t know if asking would be nosy or supportive.
If you want to share, I’m here.
Rey
His wife left. Don’t know if she’s coming back.
She’s young—21 like him.
I could…Her fingers hesitated. She wasn’t a real fiancée and didn’t know military life, so what good was offering to talk to a girl she’d never met?
Anything I can do? she sent instead.
Rey
Tell me more about your fish.
It doesn’t bore you?
Rey
The treadmill is boring.
The Pacific Ocean? Gulf of Alaska? Your stories take me out of this box and make me feel like a pirate.
You’re the first person who likes my fish stories.
Did that reveal too much insecurity? Overthinking, as usual, so she hit send.
Rey
I would listen to—or read—anything you want to tell me. Anything.
That line made her feel warm, like being wrapped in a hug. For a moment she almost sensed his arms and lips, a good memory, but he wanted a fish story. She liked to give him what he wanted, so she sent a close-up of last night’s net dump.
