Page 42 of Last Night Was Fun

“Hi, ladies,” he said.

Captain Carl clapped his hands. “Okay, so a few safety instructions before we head out. You’ve probably noticed the wind picked up tonight, so things are a little choppy out there. I’ll keep us closeto the shore to limit too much motion, but please be extra mindful of using the rails and watching your step. We don’t want anyone going overboard because then Gabe will have to jump in after you, and that would mess up his hair.” He reached over and tried to muss Gabe’s signature gelled wave, but Gabe fought him off with his arm. Someone wolf whistled and a few others cheered like the idea of being rescued sounded appealing.

That same stab hit Emmy again.

Captain Carl laughed. “I’m kidding. But in all seriousness, we’re here to keep you safe while you have fun tonight. So, some ground rules...”

They all listened as he described safety instructions and demonstrated how to use a life vest. Emmy had sat with Piper in the back of the crowd, and she kept her eyes on Gabe during the whole presentation, praying he didn’t notice her. By some miracle, he didn’t.

She thought she was in the clear and could spend the rest of the night avoiding him, until Captain Carl said, “All right, that about covers it. Now, where’s the maid of honor who planned this whole thing? We need that playlist so we can plug in and get moving.”

A cheer rose from the boozed-up bridesmaids ready to continue the night as all heads swiveled to Emmy.

Piper pushed her up out of her seat and hollered “She’s right here!” to cheering.

The moon suddenly shone on Emmy like a spotlight. The universe narrowed to the short distance between her and Gabe, and if she thought perhaps he wouldn’t recognize her in a dress and heels because he only ever saw her at work in jeans and computer glasses, she was sorely mistaken. She couldn’t tell if his look of shock was due to her appearance or simply the utterly unbelievable coincidence they were on the same boat. He blinked like imminent roadkill. His lips popped open. No one except her noticed how intently he was staring at her, and to his credit, he kept the sheer shock contained.

“Excellent,” Captain Carl said. “If you’ll just share that list with Gabe here, we’ll get underway. Ladies, the boat is open.”

The group collectively threw their arms in the air with a cheer.

Gloria stuck her hand up as well. “Follow me to the bar!” she called over the sound, knowing exactly what they all wanted.

The group filed into line to make their way to the back of the boat, where the dance floor and drinks waited. As they cleared out, the space between Emmy and Gabe got emptier and emptier, with fewer excuses for not interacting.

Piper noticed. She squeezed Emmy’s arm before she followed the rest of their guests, leaning in to quietly speak. “Offer still stands to push him overboard. Let me know if you need me.”

Emmy chortled a strangled laugh, tempted again. “Thanks. But I’ll be fine.”

“Good. Because I’m going to go get shit-faced.” She winked and sauntered off.

And then it was only Emmy and Gabe staring at each other from across the bow.

He seemed unable to peel his eyes off her. She felt them touring her bare legs and the slit in her dress. They bounced up to her face, and he swallowed hard. “Hey.” His voice came out gravelly and half there. He cleared his throat and started again. “Hey. I didn’t know you were part of this party tonight.”

“Hey,” she said back, absolutely thrumming with awkwardness. “You didn’t tell me your cousin owned this charter company.”

“I didn’t think I had reason to,” he said, still looking stunned.

They kept staring at each other, adrift in a strange space in so many ways.

“So,” he eventually said. “The music.”

“Oh, right,” Emmy said, honestly having forgotten they had a job to do.

He waved her over. “Follow me.”

She followed him toward the main cabin where he turned into a small enclave lit up with a wall of radio and PA equipment.

“iPod?” he asked, and held out his hand.

She fished it out of her tote bag, momentarily mortified when it tangled on a glow-in-the-dark penis necklace she frantically shoved back down inside. From the tiny laugh that escaped his lips, she knew he’d seen it. “Here you go,” she said, a bit flustered, and presented it to him.

“Thank you.” He plugged it in and tapped the screen. “Which playlist?”

“There’s only one on there.” She’d purchased the device specifically for this purpose because she liked the idea of gifting it to her sister after the fact as a keepsake from the night.

“Got it,” he said, and hit play.