A server approached their table with a carafe and asked if they wanted coffee. After pouring a cup for each of them, they set the carafe down on the table and took their breakfast order.
“You said that they serve dinner here too, right?” Ben asked.
“Yes. Why?”
“I think I’d like to come back here for dinner one night. In fact, do you have any plans for dinner tonight, Rob?” Ben asked slyly, with a crooked grin.
Rob made a point of quickly checking the calendar on his phone and then peered into Ben’s eyes, “As a matter of fact, I don’t. Are you asking me to dine with you this evening?”
Ben beamed. “Yes I am.”
“I’d love to have dinner with you tonight. And the Suite Lounge is directly opposite from here. We could have a drink there before dinner.”
“Excellent. I’ll speak with the hostess when we leave and see if we can get a reservation for tonight.”
The server returned with their food. Waffles with fresh strawberries and crisp bacon for Rob, and a ham and cheese omelet with hash brown potatoes for Ben.
They ate in silence, enjoying their food and the company.
“More coffee?” Ben asked as he picked up the carafe. Rob nodded and Ben topped off each cup.
Rob sipped his coffee. “Do you have any plans for today, Ben?”
“Not really. I’ll probably just find a quiet spot and read for a while. What about you?”
“It’s a beautiful day. I thought perhaps I’d get a little exercise. There’s a walking and jogging track on Deck 17; a few laps would do me good. Then I think I’ll sit out on my balcony and read. You’re welcome to join me if you’d like.”
“I’d love to. We can stop at my cabin when we leave here so I can grab my sunglasses and Kindle.”
As they left the restaurant, Ben spoke with the hostess and made a reservation for eight o’clock that night.
Ben had a thought. “We should have breakfast here tomorrow before heading off the ship, don’t you think? We have to meet for the shore excursion at ten in the Ocean Theater.” He turned to the hostess, “Is it possible to get a reservation for eight-thirty tomorrow morning?”
“Let me check.” After tapping a few keys on her keyboard, she turned back to Ben, “You’re all set, sir.”
They walked to Ben’s suite at a leisurely pace. A comfortable silence settled over them.
Ben felt so relaxed in Rob’s company.This feels so right.
They had both dressed in jeans and T-shirts that morning, but Ben had worn deck shoes to breakfast. “I’m gonna change into sneakers if we’re going to do laps.”
Rob stepped out onto the balcony while he waited for Ben to change his shoes and grab his things. After a moment he went back into the cabin and called out, “It’s getting warm out there. You might want to bring a pair of shorts or a bathing suit with you. It will probably be nice enough to sunbathe later if you feel like it.”
“Okay, I’ll grab my backpack and get everything together. Which reminds me, I really like that mini-pack that you have. Where did you get it?”
“I found it online. I’ll search for it later and send you a link.”
“Thanks.” Ben walked out of the bedroom with his backpack slung over his shoulder. “Okay, let’s go.”
* * *
A couple of other people were walking on the track when they got up to the Sun Deck, but thankfully, it wasn’t at all crowded. They walked at a good pace, raising their heart rate a bit, but not overdoing it. Though neither of them spoke, the silence wasn't awkward or unpleasant.
After about fifteen minutes Rob said, “One more lap and I think I’m done.” A sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead. “It’s warmer than I thought up here.”
“Yeah, it is,” Ben agreed. “I’m glad you suggested I bring a bathing suit with me. I definitely want to change when we get to your cabin.”
After the last lap, they walked away from the jogging track and leaned against the ship’s railing to cool down a bit. “I feel better about having waffles and bacon for breakfast this morning.”
