Page 44 of Last Night Was Fun

“I wish.”

“Have you always gotten seasick?”

“Yeah—that’s what kept me out of the navy, unlike Carl.”

“He was in the navy?”

“Yes. He’s not just a tourist cruise boat captain.”

“Oh, so he’s like, acaptain, then.”

“Right.”

“Well, I think it’s really sweet of you to lend him a hand despite your condition.”

“Why are you being so nice? How drunk are you right now?”

“Unfortunately, not at all. Someone has to Big Sister this party, and it looks like my services are needed beyond the gaggle of smashed bridesmaids back there, lucky for you.”

“What services?”

“You haven’t puked since I’ve been out here, have you?”

He pushed himself up to standing straight and faced her. In her heels, Emmy’s eyes hovered closer than normal to his. His eyes were bloodshot and his face pale and clammy but,damn it, he was still so good-looking. How dare he, truly. If she’d been the one hurling over the rail, she’d have been a frizzy, sweaty, ghostly white nightmare. Probably with puke in her hair. But Gabe Olson even made seasickness look good.

“You’re right, I haven’t since you’ve been out here.” He glanced back like he’d only then noticed her palm rubbing circles on his back.

She stopped the motion and dropped her hand. She awkwardly smiled at him. “Well, glad I could be of help.”

He did his best to muster a grateful smile, but it came out more of a grimace.

The boat hit another wave, and they both stumbled. Her footing slipped out from under her, and she slid straight into him. The firm wall of his body stopped her, and before she could get her feet back under her, she was pressed against him with his hands gripping her upper arms.

“Sorry,” she muttered.

“You all right?”

“Yeah. Who knew a boat in heels would be a bad idea.” She stiffly laughed.

“Um, I think everyone knows that, Jameson.”

When she looked up at him and frowned, she found a cheeky grin on his lips. “Glad to see you’re feeling well enough to insult me, Olson.”

He fully smiled at her, and she realized only then they were still standing chest to chest.

“You going to let go of me now?”

A deep flush filled Gabe’s face with all the color the seasickness had robbed from it. He dropped his grip and took a step back. “Sorry.”

Emmy didn’t have time to process the curious feeling of regret brought on by his sudden absence before they hit another wave. They mirrored each other in gripping the rail, and while it only sent Emmy slightly stumbling, it drained Gabe’s face again and put a miserable crease between his brows.

Emmy reached out and patted his arm. “Come on. Come sit with me. You’ll feel better. It won’t be weird. Well, I mean, there are tiny purple penises everywhere, but what are you going to do on a bachelorette booze cruise?”

He weakly laughed. “You sure?”

“Yes. Just keep in the corner so they don’t think you’re a stripper or something. They’re pretty rowdy right now.”

He laughed again. “Duly noted. And, Jameson? Can this little episode be a secret too?”