Rhett smiled at me as he wrapped his large hand around his mug of coffee.
“As you all know, this is our last brunch together. I know, I know, it’s sad to me as well. But I promise we will get through this with minimal tears,” Connie said.
“Unlike last night,” Rhett said, murmuring.
“Tomorrow, we dock in Miami and go about the rest of our lives. Until our next reunion, of course. So, I wanted to leave everyone with a few words of wisdom. No matter where life takes us and no matter where we go, we will always be connected by high school. The most precious years of our lives,” Connie said.
“Speak for yourself,” I said with a grin.
“We will hear from our valedictorian and salutatorian tonight at dinner, but for now, I bid you all farewell. This is the last time I will stand in front of your beautiful faces and have the pleasure of addressing you,” Connie said.
The dining hall erupted into cheers and applause as Rhett tossed his head back and laughed. Served her right for being a spotlight hog.
“Anyway,” Connie said flatly, “our last dinner is a little later tonight. Eight instead of six thirty. So, make sure to jot that difference down! We will have a very special dinner made by all the wonderful chefs on this ship. So, don’t miss it!”
“Yay,” I said with a sigh. “Does that mean we should go get a pizza at the back of the ship?”
“Depends. Will they have creme brulee at dinner tonight? Because I had that stuff a couple of days ago, and it was amazing,” Rhett said.
“The back of the ship has twenty-four-seven soft-serve ice cream. In eight different flavors.”
“But is one of the flavors creme brulee?” he asked.
I giggled as I started to pick at my breakfast. People were still getting up to give long-winded speeches, but I didn’t care. Rhett and I were talking, living in our own little world. Even though Luke was just levels below us, I wanted to enjoy the last little bit of time I had with Rhett.
Because I didn’t know if I would have any more after we docked tomorrow.
“I can’t believe how quickly this has gone,” Rhett said.
“Despite everything that’s happened, it has been quick,” I said. “Today’s our final full day on the ship.”
“Yeah, and I feel like there’s still so much I haven’t done,” he said.
“Like what? It’s gone by so quickly, maybe we could fit a few things in today before dinner tonight.”
“I haven’t sung any karaoke yet,” he said.
“But we were in the karaoke bar.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t sing. I was too busy gazing into the eyes of a beautiful woman,” he said.
“Well, I’m jealous. I should beat her face in,” I said.
“And I haven’t done anything in the spa.”
“What color did you want your nails?” I asked with a grin. “Don’t worry. There’s stuff I haven’t done either. I haven’t touched that gym yet. Nor have I gone down any of the waterslides.”
“I haven’t done the waterslides, either. We should do that today,” he said.
“Sounds like a plan to me. Anything else you want to try and do?” I asked.
“Honestly? I’m okay with anything as long as I can spend it with the woman I love.”
I felt myself freeze as my eyes slowly panned up to his. I could see his face paling with shock as his eyes widened. I felt a flush creep up my legs and my chest, spilling over onto my neck. Had he just admitted to me that he loved me?
“The woman … you love?” I asked.
Rhett sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He took a big gulp of his coffee as he raked his hands through his hair. I was studying him. The way he was locking up. The way he looked embarrassed. But there was something else, something I couldn’t quite place.