Page 18 of Fire and Ice Cruise

“Yes, you were,” I counter.

She takes a moment to glower at me. “I was considering it.”

Before we can continue this charming little back-and-forth, Marina walks by with a plate stacked high with waffles, fresh berries, and enough whipped cream to violate some sort of dairy restrictions. She looks cozy in a soft gray sweater, dark jeans, and ankle boots, with her crimson hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

I flag her down immediately. “Marina! Please, come join us!”

She hesitates, glancing at our mismatched group, but I’m already pulling up another chair.

Nettie leans her way. “How are you doing after last night?”

Marina sets down her plate and cringes. “I was shocked by what happened to that poor man.”

“Tell me more, sister.” Nettie’s eyebrows waggle suggestively.

Marina looks confused, as do the rest of us. “About?”

“About the captain.” Nettie nods enthusiastically. “What’s he like in the bedroom?”

Marina gasps.

Tinsley gasps so hard I think she just inhaled one of my chocolate croissants.

And I choke on my coffee.

Bess groans. “Nettie, she’s talking about the dead body.”

Tinsley slaps her notebook onto the table hard enough to make the silverware jump. “What makes you think she’s sleeping with Wes?” she hisses.

Marina shakes her head frantically. “I’m not sleeping with Wes. He just made sure I got to my cabin safely.” She blinks over at the lot of us as if gauging whether or not we need more convincing.

Tinsley sheds a tight smile. “Just for the record, the captain is not an eligible bachelor. He’s very much taken.”

My mouth falls open.

Elodie chortles out a laugh. “Oh Trixie, you really are an alley cat, aren’t you?” She winks at me.

“If Wes is taken it’s not by me.” I cross my heart and lift my right arm as if I were taking an oath.

“Not that Wes would mind,” Bess says, nodding toward Marina. “Wes used to have the hots for Trixie.”

Tinsley narrows her eyes at me. “Used to being the operative words. The captain is taken by yours truly, so be sure to lay off.” She practically growls the last part at Marina.

Oh good grief. I don’t even bother trying to hide the fact I’m rolling my eyes.

“Wait.” Elodie laughs harder at Tinsley’s attempt to hold onto a man who doesn’t want to be held. “Don’t tell me you’ve hit your head again on that conduit pipe in the engine room. You and Wes aren’t dating.”

“I didn’t say anything about dating.” Tinsley sneers. “I said he was taken.”

It’s true, Tinsley has had the hots for both Wes and Ransom long before I ever arrived on the ship. And now that Ransom is officially off the market, she’s still making a play for Wes. And, well, Wes isn’t having it.

Marina holds up both hands. “I don’t have to be told twice. Besides, I’m not looking for a relationship.” She shakes her head emphatically as if it was the last thing in the world she wanted.

Funnily enough, we all know that’s exactly when relationships come knocking—when you’re not looking. I happen to know that firsthand because that’s exactly what happened with Ransom and me. Believe me, I was not looking, peeking, or batting a lash in the direction of a relationship. In fact, my primary goal was getting out of one at that moment.

Marina holds up a finger. “Although he did offer me a tour of the bridge today,” she says, and there’s the slightest hint of mischief in her smile as she glances at Tinsley.

I knew I liked her.