Page 21 of Terminal Voyage

He poured a glass of red, and it wasn't as small as he promised. But I wasn't going to complain.

Hannah joined me, and Jimmy poured her a Chardonnay.

"I feel like the odd man out," she said.

"I know what you mean.”

"I'm glad you’re aboard,” she said. “Now I have someone to commiserate with. This game has been going on every night this week.”

“Poker’s not your thing?”

She shook her head. “As far as I can tell, Luciano is into Declan for a million.”

"Those stakes are way too high for me.”

"I have no doubt Luciano is going to win it all back.”

"Why do you say that?”

"Just a hunch. Luciano doesn't like to lose. I think he's letting Declan get comfortable. Then he’s going to take him big time. Just in time to walk off the ship.”

I studied her for a moment. "You're the quiet type.”

"Excuse me?"

"The kind that sits there and watches everybody. Nobody thinks you're paying attention, but you see and hear everything.”

She smiled. "I knew I was going to like you.”

We clinked glasses and sipped our wine.

"What about Sebastian? Is he winning or losing?”

"He's pretty much even. He's not much of a gambler.”

"How long have you two been together?”

"A couple of months now.”

"Is this your first trip together?"

She nodded. "We've had little weekends here and there. But yes, this is our first extended run."

"He seems like a great guy.”

"He really is," she replied, looking at him with doe eyes from across the room. "I just hope I can be enough for him."

"I'm sure you’re more than enough. And if he doesn't recognize that, he's not the right one."

She smiled, and we clinked glasses again. We chatted over a drink, and she said, "Well, I think I'm going to retire early. I've had enough to drink to last two lifetimes." She smiled. "I guess I'll see you at breakfast tomorrow.” Then she added, “I'm glad you're aboard."

"Me too."

"Can I interest you in another adult beverage?" Jimmy asked after I finished my glass of wine.

"Jimmy, what did I tell you about being a bad influence?”

"You're right. My bad. I guess I'm headed to the unemployment line."