Sailing with My Sister’s Best Friend (Cruisin With Curves)

Chapter 4

Aurora

W hat the absolute fuck was I thinking? I let Seeley lead me outside to meet up with everyone. Had I really almost kissed him? I knew better. I knew where that would lead. And while we had always been great in bed, the aftermath would leave me just as shattered as the accident that stole my dream.

“There you two are.” Darby looked back at us. “I was starting to think I would have to come rescue you from one of Lee’s lectures.”

I faked a smile and laughed. “I’m sure I can handle Seeley.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that.” Darby chuckled. “In fact, I think you might be the only one that can really handle him.” There was a look in her eyes that made me question if there was something more to her words. I was fairly sure he never told her about the two of us, but they were close. Perhaps it accidentally came up in a conversation long ago.

“Aurora has always had a special way with Lee.” Aunt Kelly added. “If anyone was going to be giving the lecture, it would definitely be her.” She raised an eyebrow that made me question if she knew more about our past than Seeley and I were aware of.

I looked back at him, but despite standing right next to me, his eyes were set on the scenery around us.

“I thought you wanted to cruise to Alaska?” He changed the subject. “Why did you decide to stick with the Caribbean?”

“Timing.” Wade answered. “We wanted to schedule the Alaska cruise, but they aren’t headed back that way until next year.”

“We already have our cabin booked, and you are all more than welcome to come along.” Darby smiled at us.

“I just might take you up on that,” Aunt Kelly said. “I’ve always heard that Alaska is God’s country so it would be nice to see it before I meet the Man in person.”

“Aunt Kelly.” Darby exclaimed. “Don’t talk like that.”

“I didn’t say I already had my ticket scheduled.” She joked. “All I’m saying is that I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“Are you kidding? You’re barely older than me.” Seeley stepped away from me and went over to put his arm around his aunt.

“Oh, hush up you.” She swatted at his chest. “You know good and well, I’m a whole legal drinking person, and their kid sister older than you.”

“That still doesn’t make you all that old.” Seeley argued. “It just means I should have taken advantage when I was younger and had you buying all the beer.” As if he ever really drank.

“Whatever.” Aunt Kelly smiled at her nephew. “I wouldn’t have done it then anymore than I would do it now.”

Kelly Adler might be what was considered a fun aunt, but she could also be stricter than a nun. Especially where Seeley and Darby were concerned. I wasn’t sure if she ever thought she would have children, but the way she stepped up after her brother and his wife died was amazing. I knew for a fact that Seeley and Darby never once took her for granted. They both knew exactly how close they came to not only being in foster care, but being split up.

“So what’s on the agenda this week?” Seeley asked.

“I already reserved a table at the Golden Sunset Sushi Bar.” Wade wrapped his arms around Darby. I hated the envy that hit watching the two of them together. I was happy for them both, but it was hard when I knew there were no prospects for me in sight. My eyes betrayed me and shifted to Seeley. He was looking right at me.

“If we were on Onyx I would have gone for the Hibachi Grill place they have, but this was the closest I could get.”

“I’m sure it will be wonderful.” Darby kissed his cheek.

“Me too.” He smiled at her. “After that, it just depends on what you all want to do. We can go in port when we dock or stay on the ship. Both options offer lots of choices. But if this cruise is like most of the others I’ve been on, we need to make our decisions fast so we can book in advance.”

“I heard they have a helicopter ride you can book that will give you a bird’s eye tour of the island.” Darby wiggled her eyebrows. “If we can swing that I would love to try it.”

“I’m game.” Wade smiled at her. It was easy to see why they made such a good couple.

“A helicopter ride?” I hesitated. “That sounds dangerous.” I wasn’t exactly afraid of heights, but I didn’t want to chance it either.

“Don’t worry. From what I understand they only go up if the weather is good. If it’s bad then they ground all flights.” Wade assured me.

“You youngsters can do that one without me.” Aunt Kelly shook her head. “I’m not looking to break a hip or anything that will take longer than a half hour to get back to normal.”

“I think I might keep Aunt Kelly company for that one.” I shook my head.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience.” Seeley added out of the blue.

“Then I’m sure you will enjoy it.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Five seconds ago he was worried that I would injure myself teaching a bunch of twelve year olds to dance. Now he’s all excited about flying around an island in a plane that might or might not have doors.

“I thought you liked adventure.” He challenged.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I turned on him. “And don’t you have work to do?”

“Why do you keep bringing up my job?” He faced me. “Do you have a problem with lawyers now or something?”

“Not all of them.” I grounded out between my teeth.

“Guys.” Wade tried to jump in, but held his hand up after the look I shot him. “Sorry.”

“Don’t mind her,” Seeley said. “She’s always been a little argumentative.”

“That’s hilarious, especially coming from the corporate lawyer.” I rested my hand on my hip. “Isn’t arguing the basis of your whole career?”

“Then maybe you should have been the lawyer. Besides, if I’m doing my job right then there is no need for an argument.” He stepped into my personal space. “Don’t you spend your time with teenagers? Arguing is how they communicate.”

“I work with pre-teens which you would know if you bothered to care about anyone else’s career, but your own.”

My voice had gotten louder the closer we stood. I was sure there were people standing around watching us, and the last thing I wanted them seeing was an angry black woman shouting at some innocent-looking white man.

“I’m going back to my cabin.” I looked back at Darby who was staring at me and Seeley like she didn’t know either of us. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Don’t go.” She held out her hand for mine. “Please. The sail away is one of the best parts.”

I hated the idea of disappointing her. Darby and her family had been amazing when I was in the hospital after the floor of my ballet practice hall gave out. They stuck with me through the surgeries, the rehab, and when I finally had to accept that I would never be able to have the dancing career I had hoped for.

In all honesty, after breaking my leg in four places and fracturing three bones, it was a wonder I could walk much less dance. It had taken almost two years for me to walk without a limp and that was mostly because of sheer determination and stubbornness. Then came the hospital bills. I had been right in the middle of ballet school. Without my scholarship and with no other way to pay them off I had dropped out and went right to work.

My parents had done what they could. Luckily, I found a job that paid for me to go back to college, and a grant I didn’t remember applying for came through years after the accident that covered all of my medical bills. If it wasn’t for both of those things then I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I had the freedom to do. Things like visiting Darby in Louisiana or taking the time off to come on this trip.

With that in mind, I sucked it up. This was only day one of seven. If I couldn’t make it the few hours Seeley and I had been around each other already then there was no way I would make it through the whole cruise.

I put on another fake smile and nodded my head. “Of course, I’ll stay.” I moved to the other side of Wade and Darby until the ship left port and we were on our way.