Caribbean Cruising Read Online Free PDF Page B

has to be someone I don't know and will never see again."
    "A fling," she said. "That is so un-Lindsay."
    "I know. And to have the kind of cruise that I want to have, I can't hang around with Ryan."
    "I hope you know what you're doing."
    So did I.
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    The ship's horn blasted. Crew members began informing all the guests that they needed to disembark.
    I gave Julie a hug.
    "Have a great time," she said.
    "I will."
    "Stay up here and wave to me," she ordered.
    "Okay."
    I watched her disappear into the crowd of guests. I walked over to the dock side of the ship.
    I could see people wandering onto the pier. I didn't spot Julie, but it didn't really matter. She knew I was here. I knew she was there. I started frantically waving, as other people—both on the ship and on the dock—began doing the same.
    Another sounding of the horn, and we were moving away from shore.
    Moving away from everything I knew. Everything with which I was familiar.
    Moving into uncharted territory.
    Into the unknown.

CHAPTER 5
    "M ore champagne?"
    I looked to the side. Ryan stood beside me, holding two flutes of champagne. I took one. "Thanks."
    Turning I leaned my back against the railing. It looked like maybe two dozen people remained onboard.
    The band was still playing, people were dancing, and the waiters were walking around offering champagne.
    I took a sip of my drink. Was this my third or fourth glass? I couldn't remember.
    "I've never had champagne before tonight," I said.
    "This is very fine champagne," Ryan said. "See how tiny the bubbles are? The smaller the bubbles, the finer the champagne."
    In the dim light, the bubbles weren't that easy to see. Still, I said, "That's fascinating."
    "I'm a constant source of useless information."
    "No, really," I said, placing my hand on his arm, surprised that I felt comfortable doing so. It had to be mhtml:file://C:\Program Files\eMule\Incoming\+ Hawthorne, Rachel - Caribbean Cruising....
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    the champagne working its magic to help me relax. "It was fascinating information."
    He grinned. "Well, I heard that when you go on a cruise alone, you're supposed to study up on the ports of call so you can be an informal tour guide. Apparently women gravitate toward knowledgeable men."
    "Really?"
    He shrugged. "That's what some 'guide to having the best cruise of your life' said. But I spent spring break at Padre Island, and I don't remember any babes trying to hook up with guys because they could ramble off facts. I figure a cruise isn't that much different from spring break."
    "At least you have some spring-break experiences to compare this with. It's totally alien to me."
    "You seem to be managing it all right so far. Want to dance again?"
    I was suddenly feeling very adventuresome. And my wild and crazy cruise was supposed to be starting now anyway. Besides, as Julie had pointed out, Ryan was nice. I nodded. "Sure."
    We danced until the lights from Galveston faded into the distance. Sometimes we drank champagne while we danced, and sometimes we simply danced. With the bubbly wine coursing through my system, the dim lights, and the soft music, the night felt almost magical.
    I closed my eyes and almost fell asleep right there on Ryan's shoulder. I stumbled. He steadied me.
    "I think you've had too much champagne," he said.
    We were barely moving our feet. I didn't have the strength, and I certainly didn't mind if he didn't either.
    "I think you're right. It's making me really sleepy."
    "You don't think being sleepy has anything to do with it being almost two o'clock in the morning?"
    I straightened. "Is it that late? I had no idea."
    As I glanced around, everything seemed to spin. When had almost everyone left? Only Mom and Walter were still dancing, and like Ryan and me, they were barely moving.
    "Is the party over?" I asked.
    "Just about. Want me to walk you back to your