Caribbean Cruising Read Online Free PDF

major yet?" he asked me.
    "I'm thinking computer science."
    "That's a hard major."
    "I know, but I took a couple of computer-science classes in high school and really enjoyed them."
    Programming was really nothing more than compiling lists of instructions for the computer to follow.
    And I was very good with lists.
    "What's your major?" I asked.
    "Biology."
    I widened my eyes. "That doesn't sound any easier than computer science."
    "It's not, but I like it."
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    "What are you going to do with a biology degree?" Julie asked.
    "I'm thinking sports medicine." He shrugged. "But who knows? I'll see how I feel when I'm finished. I'm trying to keep my options open."
    "Do you live on campus?" I asked.
    "I did, but next fall, I'm going to share an apartment with some friends."
    "They're not on the cruise, are they?"
    He shook his head. "No, they have to work."
    "Bummer," Julie said. "That's why I'm not going on this cruise with Lindsay. Have you been on one before?"
    "No. Walter has invited me several times. He's big into traveling on the ocean, but I've always had something else going on. This time I was free—and honored—that Walter asked me to be his best man.
    I've never been a best man before."
    "I've never been a maid of honor," I said. "It was fun."
    "I have a feeling the cruise will be even more fun," Ryan said. "Listen, they have a whole lot of food over there. I'm going to go get some. Can I get anyone anything?"
    "No, thanks," I said.
    Julie, much to my surprise, said the same thing. I figured she'd convince him to bring something back for me.
    "All right, then," he said. "I'll catch up with you later."
    As soon as he was out of hearing range, Julie said, "He is totally nice. You are going to have so much fun."
    "Yeah, he is."
    I knew she also thought that I was going to be having fun with Ryan. But I wasn't planning on it.
    Ryan was nice, but he was Walter's godson and he goes to the same university I'm going to attend. So he was definitely not a candidate for my last-night fling. And I didn't figure another guy would show any interest in me if he thought I was with Ryan.
    I faced the ocean and crossed my arms on the railing. The night breeze had picked up. Lights from the ship and Galveston glittered off the water and muted many of the stars. I could well imagine that tomorrow night, with nothing but the water surrounding us, the sky would be twinkling.
    "I've never seen a falling star," I said quietly.
    "I bet you'll see some tomorrow night when you're out on the ocean."
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    "I hope so." I looked over at my best friend in the whole world. "I'm sorry, Julie, if I was snappish when I thought you were playing matchmaker earlier. I just want this to be the very best vacation of my whole life."
    "I don't see how it can be when I'm not with you," she teased.
    "It will be hard," I agreed.
    "At least you'll have Ryan—"
    "I'm not planning to hang around with him, Julie," I interrupted.
    "Are you nuts? Why not?"
    "Because I have a list of things that I want to do on this cruise, and it would cramp my plans if I hung around with him."
    "A list of things? Like what?"
    "Snorkeling. Sunbathing. Hiking. All sorts of things."
    "I don't see how Ryan would cramp any of those plans."
    "He just would. Okay?" I didn't want to reveal that losing my virginity was also on that list. That's where having Ryan around really wouldn't work.
    "Because he's not on your list?" Julie asked incredulously.
    "In a way."
    "Pencil him in," she demanded.
    "Julie, I want to have a fling while I'm onboard."
    "A fling?"
    I nodded. "A summer fling. A cruise fling. One special night."
    "But Ryan—"
    "Ryan and I might cross paths at school or at some get-together with Walter. And it would be uncomfortable. So he is definitely out. It