“It’s been two days!” I tuck my feet under me and hand Sophie the TV remote. “How long does it take to make a simple decision?”

“Now you know why I don’t get along with my dad,” Xander huffs. He lay sprawled on the adjacent couch with a bowl of popcorn in his lap. His blond hair fanning around the black and white checkered pillow propping his head up.

Sophie scrolls through the movies. “Maybe that’s a good thing.”

I frown. “How so?”

“We can keep exploring in the meantime.”

Xander nods. “She’s right, Em. I’m not about to abandon the mission.”

I grin at the use of my nickname and steal a handful of popcorn.

“If Nathan doesn’t get his ass down here soon, I’m playing the movie without him.” Sophie stretches beside me, fanning the blanket to cover her bare feet.

“I’m so sorry, Sophia. I lost track of time.” Nathan pants, taking a seat in a nearby recliner chair. His dark hair is wild and unkempt, and his clothes are rumpled.

“You look like hell,” Xander comments.

Nathan laughs, running a palm over his face. “I accidentally fell asleep.”

“Was it one of those naps where you wake up and can’t remember the year?” I recently had one before Soph and I came on this expedition.

Sophie moans, “Those are the best.”

Nathan grimaces. “Something like that.”

Xander’s face scrunches. “Not a fan of napping?”

Nathan shakes his head. “Not since I was a kid.”

Mine and Sophie’s mouths fall open. “Weirdo!”

Xander blinks at us. “That’s really creepy.”

Sophie and I look at each other. “We get that a lot.”

“Ok. Please, stop.” He chuckles. “What movie are we watching, anyway?”

“Not Indiana Jones.” I quip.

Sophie’s smile falters. “Fine.”

“The new Planet of the Apes is out.” Xander offers.

“Sounds good to me,” Nathan agrees.

I nod and Sophie brings up the search bar.

“Emily,” Xander whispers. He extends the popcorn bowl out for me and grins.

I smirk as I take some. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” He winks.

“There it is!” Nathan points.

Sophie hits the play button.

***

The next morning, I woke up to a text message from an unknown number.

Have breakfast with me?
– X

Xander?

The one and only 😉
Meet in Caferia at 7?

Yea 😊

“Sophie!” I throw my pillow at her sleeping form.

She groans and covers her face with her blanket.

“I think I have a date.” I scramble out of bed and go to the closet, rifling through our clothes for the perfect outfit. “How did he even get my number?”

“What?” She sits up, her brown hair half out of the ponytail she put in the night before. She beams. “Oh, yeah. That was me.”

I shoot her a glare as I grab my favorite pale pink blouse. “Read this.” I toss her my phone while I snatch a pair of jean shorts out of my dresser.

Sophie stares at the messages and squeals. She glances at the clock. “That’s in fifteen minutes!”

I chuckle pulling my shirt over my head and combing my fingers through my hair. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

She rolls her eyes as she hops off the bed. “I need at least an hour.”

I grin. “Oh, I know, honey.”

Sophie narrows her gaze on me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing at all.” I giggle as I shimmy my shorts up my thighs. Since our teens, Sophie’s strict morning routine consists of: shower, dress, makeup, and hair. On the other hand, I like to catch those extra precious minutes of sleep, throw on some clothes, and head out the door. One of the few things we didn’t have in common.

She eyes me suspiciously, heading to our shared bathroom. “I want details later!”

“You got it!” I make my way to the elevator.

It’s a quick ride to Deck Three. Many crewmembers aren’t awake or are already on their respective decks. The Caferia is completely deserted, with several chairs upturned on tables so the kitchen staff can clean the floors before the rush.

“Morning, Em.” Xander strolls to my side with his hands shoved into the pockets of his cargo shorts.

“Hi.” I follow him to a buffet table with various breakfast food items. Stifling the nerves tickling their way along my skin, I get a plate and spoon some batter into the waffle iron. “You’re up early.”

“Yeah, couldn’t sleep.” Xander grabs some toast from its hot plate.

I turn my waffle when the machine beeps at me. “Why was that?”

Xander stifles a yawn. “Talked to my dad last night.”

“Didn’t go well?” I assume.

“Not at all.”

We grab the rest of our breakfast and find a table.

Pursing my lips, I think of the last phone call I had with my mother. “I get it. It’s the same with my mom.”

He shrugs. “It’s our usual conversation these days. He doesn’t agree with my career choice.”

“Why is that?” I bite my croissant, savoring the way chocolate oozes onto my tastebuds.

“Because I’m not taking over the family business.” He takes a sip of his coffee.

I scoff. “You’re your own person. You don’t have to follow in his footsteps.”

“Not to my dad. He threatened to cut me off. Did it, even.” He sighs, spearing a sausage with his fork and taking a bite. “It didn’t work, of course. I ran to the ocean. Made a name for myself.”

“Good for you!” I declare.

“He eventually came around. Or, at least, I thought he did. Turns out, I was just another business venture.” He nibbles on his toast.

“You’re kidding. That must have hurt.” I murmur. “Why do you put up with it?”

He combs a fist through his hair, letting it drop to the table. “The ocean’s mine. It’s what I love. I can’t walk away from it. Let him take that from me, too.”

I reach for his hand, noticing how the warmth of his touch travels up my arm. “I’m so sorry, Xander.”

He squeezes my fingers. “No, I’m sorry for dumping this on you.”

I shrug. “No need to apologize for having feelings.”

A small smile touches his lips, and he runs a thumb across my knuckles. “Thank you for listening.”

“Anytime.” I wink.

He laughs. “You’re really easy to talk to.”

“It’s one of my charms.” I beam. He keeps a hold of my hand, so I use my other to stab a piece of ham.

Xander leans in, a glint in his eye. “Well, I look forward to more.”

My lips part in surprise and his eyes dart to my mouth. Self-consciously, I run my tongue over my bottom lip and shift closer. His gaze lifts to meet mine, a question forming there.

Xander’s phone rings, and I jerk away with a start. He blinks and stares at the caller ID, answering with a husky, “Hello?”

I munch on my breakfast, trying to calm the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. My heartbeat buzzes in my ears as I struggle to quiet my frantic thoughts.

“Really?” I look up to find a stunned expression as he hangs up the phone.

“What is it?” I ask in concern.

“They’ve made a decision. Concerning the mission, I mean. They aren’t pulling out, after all.”

Editor: Michelle Naragon