“Julie,” he says with the slow caution of someone trying not to step on a landmine, “this is Emilia.”
–
Then Julie gasps – gasps — like she’s just been handed a baby goat and a diamond ring at once. “Wait. Is this the Emilia? Oh, my God. Why am I so nervous? Why are you so pretty?”
Her face fills the screen, she looks just like Liam and for some reason that makes me nervous.
He groans again, shoulders slumping in defeat. “Julie, seriously
“Nope. Shut up. I’m living for this. Hi, Emilia!” she waves, grinning so wide I’m almost afraid her face will split.
I give a sheepish little wave from the counter, still half breathless and wildly underdressed for this moment. “Hi…?”
“I’m your biggest fan, just ask Liam. When he first told me you were his girlfriend I had your pictures printed and pasted all over my bedroom-”
“She’s joking,” Liam hurriedly cuts in and I laugh.
“Did Liam tell you I’m gay? Like, very, very gay? Yeah, so if you get tired of him just know there’s a prettier version of him lying around waiting for you. My boobs are perky too.”
Now I’m full on cackling, Liam makes a strangled sound. “I’m ending this call.”
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“Rude,” Julie says, rolling her eyes. “Also- Liam? Be good to her. Or I’ll fly over there and make things real awkward.”
And just before he hangs up, I hear her mutter, “About damn time, though.”
LIAM
It’s painful to admit my sauce went uneaten.
After a few more minutes with Emilia’s lips locked on mine, I found that her appetite wasn’t for food.
Not that I’m complaining – oh, no, not at all. In fact, the thought of her lips on mine is the only thing keeping my sour mood from getting any worse.
But then, just as I thought we might finally get some peace, the ship’s horn blares through the air, loud and jarring, dragging us both back to reality.
“Attention, all passengers!” the voice crackles over the
intercom. “We are approaching Mackinac Island. Please make your way to the nearest exit as we prepare to dock. The island awaits!”
I groan, half in frustration, half in disbelief, as the moment we were building shatters. Emilia pulls away from me with a soft laugh, her eyes still shining, and I can’t help but stare at her for a second longer than I should.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I found myself standing at the entrance to Mackinac Island – next to a practically glowing Emilia, while half the ship’s passengers loitered around us, chatting and laughing loud enough to make my skull vibrate.
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But honestly? I barely notice the noise.
Because Emilia is holding my hand.
Still.
And I, world–class brooder, grump extraordinaire, champion of barely tolerating people – all these are false, I’m, unfortunately, a people’s person is smiling like an idiot. Because she’s
1
smiling. And apparently, that’s all it takes for my brain to short- circuit now.
“Here,” she says, slipping a pair of sunglasses into my palm. “Take these. You’re frowning so hard you’re sucking the joy out of the air.”
Cue immediate loss of smile. Poof. Gone.
But also – ouch. And kind of adorable.
I clear my throat and try to act normal, which is impossible because I can still feel the ghost of her lips on mine. The kiss hadn’t just fried my appetite–it nuked my sense of time, balance, self–respect. At some point, I’m pretty sure I bumped into a signpost and said “sorry” to it because I was too busy watching her braid come loose in the wind.
Before I can embarrass myself further, Becca’s voice rings out across the dock.
“Welcome to Mackinac Island!”
She looks just as giddy as Emilia, which would’ve been cute if not for the literal army of cameramen trailing behind her with enough gear to film an Avengers movie.
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“There’s no media on the cruise,” Becca continues, “but there is for each of the four stops. We’ll be collecting footage for a four- episode engagement reality series. So try not to ruin your careers — or your reputations — while we’re rolling, okay?”
Cue collective groan.
Honestly, fair warning. But I’m too distracted by Emilia tugging my cardigan tighter around herself and whispering something about how excited she was to explore the island. I nod along like a man possessed. Did I hear what she said? Not entirely. But I would follow her straight into Lake Michigan if she asked.
Still, something feels off.
Luckily, Tonia beats me to the punch. “Where’s Zane? Is he not coming?”
Becca’s smile dims ever so slightly. Just a flicker. “He came down with something last minute. He’ll sit this stop out, but don‘ t worry – he’ll be at the next one.”
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