The crew followed behind, hauling their luggage.

    Carolyn looped her arm through Allison''s, leading her down the hallway until they stopped outside a door. "Allie, this one''s yours," she said in a small voice, sounding a little guilty.

    Allison just nodded. "Thanks."

    Carolyn nced over at Joshua, then pointed across the hall to another door.

    "Joshua, your room''s over there."

    Allison hesitated for a second.

    It was obvious Carolyn was trying to split them up.

    She looked down, not saying a word.

    Joshua''s expression turned cool as he nced at Carolyn. "No need for all that trouble. I''ll stay with Allie."

    Carolyn''sshes fluttered. She quickly tried to exin, "But Allie''s room is a single -it''ll be way too cramped for two."

    Honestly, the cruise ship was massive. There were hundreds of rooms, all decked out with luxury touches. There was even a helipad on the deck, an indoor theater, bars, a ballroom, a game room, a billiard lounge-and a huge swimming pool at the back. There was no way they were short on space. Carolyn''s intentions couldn''t have been more obvious.

    Allison didn''t argue, but Joshua wasn''t about to let it go.

    He just shrugged off Carolyn''s excuse and walked right in. "It''s not cramped. Cozy''s better, right, Allie?"

    "Just leave the bags here," Joshua told the crew.

    Soon, both his and Allison''s suitcases were set down in the room.

    He clearly had no ns to go anywhere else tonight.

    The room was actually pretty spacious-definitely not a tiny single, with a big bed and more than enough space for two. Joshua''s "cozy"ment was just his way of making it clear he wasn''t leaving Allison''s side.

    Allison nced up at him, smiling a little as she decided to go along with it. "Luna, let him stay with me."

    Carolyn''s expression flickered with disappointment. She pressed her lips together. "Alright then."

    "Ms. Witt, thanks for showing us the way," Joshua said, and before Carolyn could respond, he closed the door, leaving her outside.

    Allisonughed. "Was that really polite?"

    Who just shuts the door on the host like that?

    Joshua grinned, his eyes yful. "I said thank you. That''s polite enough, isn''t it?" "Oh, super polite."

    "Don''t worry about her," Joshua murmured, pulling Allison into his arms. His voice dropped, low and warm. "I''ve been wanting to kiss you.”

    He didn''t even wait for her answer-his lips were already on hers.

    The kiss was deep and lingering, leaving her breathless.

    Out in the hallway, Carolyn stood frozen for a moment.

    Brooklyn, expressionless, spoke up in a t tone. "Ms. Witt, where''s my room?"

    Snapping out of it, Carolyn quickly replied, "This way, I''ll show you." "Okay."

    Carolyn was the kind of person who remembered every favor-and every grudge.

    Last time, when she''d been drugged, it was Allison and Brooklyn who''de to her rescue. ording to Allison, Brooklyn had fought off those men all by herself and got Carolyn out just in time.

    Carolyn was grateful, which was

    why she''d invited Brooklyn to hem et

    birthday cruise and made sure she had a luxurious suite of her own.

    WY

    When the kiss finally ended, Allison was still trying to catch her breath.

    She nced at her reflection and groaned, "You totally messed up my lipstick." Joshua just smiled. "So put on more."