LIAM

    It’s painful to admit my sauce went uneaten.

    After a few more minutes with Emilia’s lips locked on mine, I found that her appetite

    wasn’t for food.

    Not that I’mining – oh, no, not at all. In fact, the thought of her lips on mine is the only thing keeping my sour mood from getting any worse.

    But then, just as I thought we might finally get some peace, the ship’s horn res through

    us both back to reality.

    the air, loud and jarring, draggi

    “Attention, all passengers!” the voice crackles over the inte. “We are approaching Mackinac Ind. Please make your way to the nearest exit as we prepare to dock. The ind

    awaits!”

    I groan, half in frustration, half in disbelief, as the moment we were building shatters. Emilia pulls away from me with a softugh, her eyes still shining, and I can’t help but stare at her for a second longer than I should.

    And that,dies and gentlemen, is how I found myself standing at the entrance to Mackinac Ind – next to a practically glowing Emilia, while half the ship’s passengers loitered around us, chatting andughing loud enough to make my skull vibrate.

    But honestly? I barely notice the noise.

    Because Emilia is holding my hand.

    Still.

    –

    And I, world–ss brooder, grump extraordinaire, champion of barely tolerating people all these are false, I’m, unfortunately, a people’s person – is smiling like an idiot. Because she’s smiling. And apparently, that’s all it takes for my brain to short–circuit now.

    “Here,” she says, slipping a pair of sunsses into my palm. “Take these. You’re frowning

    so hard you’re sucking the joy out of the air.”

    Cue immediate loss of smile. Poof. Gone.

    But also ouch. And kind of adorable.

    I clear my throat and try to act normal, which is impossible because I can still feel the ghost of her lips on mine. The kiss hadn’t just fried my appetite – it nuked my sense of time, bnce, self–respect. At some point, I’m pretty sure I bumped into a signpost and said “sorry” to it because I was too busy watching her braide loose in the wind.

    Before I can embarrass myself further, Ba’s voice rings out across the dock.

    “Wee to Mackinac Ind!”

    She looks just as giddy as Emilia, which would’ve been cute if not for the literal army of

    cameramen trailing behind her with enough gear to film an Avengers movie.

    “There’s no media on the cruise,” Ba continues, “but there is for each of the four stops. We’ll be collecting footage for a four–episode engagement reality series. So try not to ruin your

    or your reputations – while we’re rolling, okay?”

    –

    careers

    Cue collective groan.

    Honestly, fair warning. But I’m too distracted by Emilia tugging my cardigan tighter around herself and whispering something about how excited she was to explore the ind. I nod along like a man possessed. Did I hear what she said? Not entirely. But I would follow her straight into Lake Michigan if she asked.

    Still, something feels off.

    Luckily, Tonia beats me to the punch. “Where’s Zane? Is he noting?”

    Ba’s smile dims ever so slightly. Just a flicker. “He came down with somethingst minute. He’ll sit this stop out, but don’t worry – he’ll be at the next one.”

    Filming an engagement reality show without the groom? Bold strategy.

    Even without spending half as much time online as Cam does, I can already see how this’ll blow up. The edits, the fan theories, the headlines practically write themselves.

    And for a brief second – despite everything – I actually feel bad for her. They haven’t even said “I do,” and he’s already pulling a disappearing act.

    If this is the start of forever, it’s looking pretty shaky.

    Ba ps her hands, her smile snapping back into ce like it never left. “Cameras start rolling now! So have all the fun you can

    tonight we regroup for couple games!”

    EMILIA

    After a while, the group naturally splinters off. Some join a walking tour. Others rent bikes. I, however, have reached the limit of how much walking I can physically or emotionally tolerate. So Liam and I find a quiet bench overlooking the water, just slightly out of the way,

    and sit.

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