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“Good,” she said. “Keep doing it. You said the whole staff was going. I seriously doubt everyone has a significant other. You won’t be the only one without someone. And there will be enough people there for you to hang out with. You can go swimming, dancing, or just sunbathe on the deck. He does not have to be the end all be all. Think of all the other single people on the cruise. They aren’t worried about him and what he’s doing.”
“It’s going to be so weird,” I groaned. “Despite everything that has happened, I am still very attracted to him.”
“I know you are and that’s not something that goes away in an instant,” she said. “You have to give it some time.”
“I’m just afraid I’m going to be out there with him, and we’ll have a few drinks. I’ll let down my guard and end up in his room and then there will be sex. I’ll forgive him and we’ll spend the weekend together. Wash, rinse, repeat. We’ll get back and he’ll call his buddy and laugh at how easy it was to get me back in bed.”
“Everything you just said can be avoided with one simple word,” she said. “Just tell him no. If you are sitting in the bar having a drink and he sidles up to you and wants to hang out, walk away. Say no. Leave him. Hell, look for another man to hang out with.”
“Oh, hell no,” I said. “Absolutely not. Anyone on that yacht is either going to be an employee or the boyfriend of an employee. That’s a hot, stinking pile of shit I’m not about to step in.”
She started laughing. “Good point. Okay, then it’s a celibate cruise. Act like you’re ninety and play shuffleboard all day.”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re staying with the job, right?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Then what are your coworkers going to think if you don’t show up?” she asked.
She made a good point. “Fine. I’ll go. But I’m not having sex with him.”
She laughed. “Okay. That’s on you.”
I got up and went to my room to pack. I grabbed the black bikini he requested I bring along, but only because I wanted to tease him. I packed a nice dress for one of the dinners that was scheduled. Again, I found myself packing with the intent that he would see me. He would look at me and want me and I was going to shut him down cold.
The next morning, I said my goodbyes to my cat and headed for the dock where we were boarding the yacht. Everyone was chatting and introducing their loved ones to their coworkers. I felt a little awkward to be standing there by myself. Jon showed up looking stupid hot in khaki pants and a polo shirt. I tried not to look at him. I didn’t want him to catch me looking.
After a few minutes, we were allowed to board. The yacht was ridiculous. It was just like what I imagined a yacht would look like. Jon’s own boat was nice, but this was much bigger.
Staff greeted us, and after getting our names, they showed us to our rooms. I was shown to my cabin, which was very nice. There was a large king bed with a small seating area. The adjoining bathroom was large and luxurious. It was more like an upscale hotel room than a room on a ship. I had seen pictures from Harold’s many cruises. His rooms had always been small and plain.
I looked over the map and the schedule of events and decided to go up to the deck to watch the ship pull away. I opened my door and almost ran into Jon. He grinned and opened the door to his room, which just happened to be next to mine. I knew that was going to happen. I suspected that had been his plan before everything went to hell.
I ignored him and walked down the hall before quickly taking the stairs up to the deck.
“Isn’t this amazing?” Dora, a woman who worked in accounting, said.
“It’s beautiful,” I said. “Where did your husband go?”
She rolled her eyes. “Would you believe he’s taking a nap?”
“Already?”
She nodded. “He tends to get seasick. He took a bunch of motion-sickness pills. They knock him out. Usually, he’s okay once we get out to open sea.”
“You guys have cruised before?”
“Oh yes,” she said, smiling. “He loves the water. It’s just too bad his body doesn’t.”
We both laughed at the misfortune. “Do you want to go exploring with me?” I asked.
“Oh, I would love to,” she gushed. “How was your week? You looked like you were having a hell of a time.”
“Oh, I was just tired,” I assured her. “It was a long week after a busy weekend.”
“Ah, poor blue team,” she said, laughing. “What an unfortunate turn of events that ended with you guys having to get right to work.”
