Free Cruising for Love (The Escape Series Book 2) by Ann Omasta Page A

hugs, though," I add, in order to be clear. Although the awful two-toned color of my skin has been alleviated, the stinging tenderness has not.
    Full of surprises, Syd presents me with a bottle of Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray––the brand I prefer. "How did you..." I'm unable to complete the question because I'm so stunned that he was able to secure this so quickly when we have been at sea all day.
    "Anything for you, my darling." He waves off getting the sea salt spray as if it is no big deal. After generously dousing my locks with it and scrunching some loose waves into place, Syd declares me finished and sends me off to dinner.
    I marvel at the man and his talents as I head down to the elegant dining room. My hopes that I won't be the last one to arrive are quickly dashed when I see everyone sitting at the Captain's table waiting for me––again.
    It does not escape my notice that the seating arrangements have been modified tonight. The married couples are each still seated together. Tonight, though, Cam and Bellamy are side by side, as well. I wonder if Josh and the others have noticed how snuggly the two of them seem to be. If not, it will all be revealed on the show. This should be interesting.
    Dinner is rather uneventful. The table is surprisingly quiet––probably because we are all nervous about our impending television debuts. The fancy cuisine we are presented with looks delicious, but I barely taste it as I go through the motions of eating because my stomach is so jittery.
    Before I know it, the dessert plates are swept away and the Captain announces that it's time to go down to the theatre. Taking a deep calming breath, I get up to follow the others downstairs. It's a thrilling feeling to know that anyone with an internet connection can watch my wedding day unfold. I mentally cross my fingers that I'll be presented in the best possible light.

Chapter 17
     
    The ship's theatre is massive and crowded. The front row has been roped off for us. The special treatment makes me feel like a star already. When the lady seated behind me leans forward to pat my shoulder and wish me luck, I attempt to hide my wince of pain with a smile and politely thank her.
    As the cinema's lights dim and the dark red, velvet curtain is swept back, the anticipation in the room is palpable. I can barely contain my excitement, and I'm sure the other contestants must feel the same way.
    I am seated next to Cam, and I try not to be annoyed that he and Bellamy have finagled the arrangement so they are side-by-side again. Once the opening music for the show begins, all thoughts of Cam's betrayal are swept away. My entire focus is on the enormous screen in front of us.
    The show starts with introductions of our group. A beaming shot of each of us in casual wear is flashed on the screen with our first name in a fancy scrawl across the bottom. I recognize the outfit I wore during the day yesterday and realize they must have taken a shot of me right when I came aboard the ship. I appear to be in awe of my surroundings, but at least my eyes are open and I'm smiling.
    After the pictures are done, Tiffany appears on the screen, and I lean around Paul to smile at her. She looks as excited as I feel––like I might burst at any moment. The first words out of her mouth on the screen are "Wow, the ocean is sooo big." This statement is followed by a few seconds of her vacantly staring out to sea. I cringe inwardly as I watch the rest of the segment, which includes short snippets of interviews with her friends and family. I hadn't realized they would be talking to people from our hometowns. It quickly becomes obvious that Tiffany has been cast as the show's airhead. Once the clip is finished, I chance a look in her direction. Surprisingly, she's still smiling. Maybe she doesn't mind being portrayed as a ditz.
    Next on the screen is Tiffany's spouse, Paul. As expected, he takes every opportunity during his clip to show off how smart he is by