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  “Who has been the one to find us all the guys? I’m a guy magnet,” she said.

  “Yeah, but the guys you find don’t really do anything for me.”

  “What about Chad? You found him on your own.”

  “He’s too much into guzzling beer. Everything is a competition with him. I don’t want to feel like I’m a prize.”

  “Lindsay, Lindsay, you really don’t get the casual dating scene.”

  I dumped a packet of sugar into my tea, and stirred it to give myself something to do while I thought of what I should say. Brooke wasn’t my best bud, but she was the closest thing I had to a friend on this cruise.

  “Brooke, I’ve never slept with a guy.”

  She gave me this incredulous look. “You slept with Ryan.”

  It was embarrassing to admit, but I’d gone this far. “All we did was sleep.”

  Her mouth dropped open, and she flopped back against her chair. “You mean, you only slept, like with your eyes closed, and snores, and dreams—”

  “Right. It’s a long story, but the first night when I got back to my cabin I didn’t have my key with me. It was late, Ryan and I were a little drunk, and I sort of fell asleep in his room.”

  “He doesn’t kiss like he’s gay.”

  I laughed at the absurdity of her response. “He’s not gay.”

  “Then why did he only sleep with you?”

  “He’s just not attracted to me.”

  She looked completely baffled. “That makes no sense.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I said hastily. “The point in my telling you all this is so you’ll realize that I need someone special. I’m not opposed to lowering my standards some, but I can’t lower them all the way, because I need someone special. For me, it’ll be the first time.”

  “I’ll say.” She sat up straighter. “We need to go on a guy-hunting expedition.”

  “No, we don’t. I may have found someone,” I confessed.

  She raised her eyebrows at that. “Really?”

  “Jake.”

  “The activities director?”

  I nodded. “I went to that singles’ meet he had last night. He introduced me to several guys, but it was like he was hoping I wouldn’t really be into any of them. It was like he was doing his job, but only because it was his job.”

  “That’s interesting. He’s cute.”

  “I think so.”

  “So what are the plans for today?”

  “We’ll be arriving at the Grand Cayman soon. We’ll go snorkeling.”

  “Oh, right.” She scrunched up her face. “Another water thing.”

  “Brooke, we’re on a ship, in the middle of the ocean, heading for an island. Yes, another water thing.”

  “It’s just that it’s a total waste of time to style your hair or do your makeup, because the wind, the sand, and the water screw it all up. Too bad we don’t have time to get you a tattoo, something to make you seem mysterious.”

  Was that the reason that I didn’t have guys hanging all over me? Because I didn’t have a tattoo?

  Although truthfully I’d had several guys express an interest. I’d even had four of them kiss me. It’s just that none of them really did anything for me.

  Except Ryan, who wasn’t interested.

  “I don’t think a tattoo is the secret,” I told her.

  “It doesn’t hurt. Are you sure you don’t want to get your tongue pierced?”

  “I’m sure.”

  She scowled. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  “I keep it right next door to my common sense.”

  “Dullsville.” She stood and began gathering her trash. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

  I stood as well. “Brooke, don’t. I’ve got a handle on the situation, and Jake doesn’t need any prompting. He liked me just fine last night.”

  “But ‘just fine’ doesn’t get a guy into your bed.”

  “I’m not even sure he’s allowed to do that sort of thing with passengers. As a matter of fact I’m pretty sure he’s not.”

  She grinned. “Which means he must be a rule breaker.”

  She started to walk off, and I grabbed her arm. “Brooke, please, don’t do anything.”

  She released a sigh of frustration. “Oh, all right. But if you decide that you want help, don’t hesitate to let me know. I have a way with guys.”

  “So I noticed.”

  “I can tell from looking at a guy if he’s any good in the sack or not.”

  “How can you tell?” I asked, not even trying to hide the skepticism in my voice.

  “It’s all in their eyes. Bedroom eyes, I call it. It’s just a hot, sultry look. Guys with blue eyes come by it naturally. All the others have to work at it.”

  “So, is Jake good?” I asked, even though I didn’t believe she had any psychic abilities or anything.

  “Oh, definitely. And before this cruise is over, you’ll know for sure.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Jake’s excursion group was the same group that he’d had for the falls. I had sorta hoped that Ryan wouldn’t show up, because I didn’t think I’d feel comfortable flirting with Jake if Ryan was near enough to watch. I thought he might be judging my actions, might tell me as he had at the movies that I’d simply found another guy that it was best to ignore.

  But Ryan did show up in a swimsuit and a tank top. I was still feeling unexplainably hurt that he’d kissed Brooke, but my good manners forced me to at least acknowledge Ryan’s arrival with a nod of my head. And he really had no reason not to kiss Brooke. I’d told him repeatedly that he didn’t need to hang around me.

  I was standing near Jake when I spotted Ryan talking with one of the girls from yesterday. Cathy or something. And that was good. If Ryan was busy with her, he wouldn’t notice that Jake was giving any attention to me.

  Jake took us to a local diving shop so we could either rent or purchase our equipment. I was looking over the rental gear when I felt a familiar presence behind me.

  “You should go ahead and buy what you need,” Ryan said. “You’ll get hooked.”

  I glanced down and noticed that he was carrying a netted bag that already had equipment in it. I assumed he’d brought it with him.

  “I suppose you’ve snorkeled before.”

  “Yeah. I’ve done a little diving, too. But I only dive when I’m with someone who is experienced, and knows what he’s doing. I have my doubts about Jake on either score.”

  “Ouch!” I said, and followed it with an incredulous laugh. “That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?”

  “Maybe. I saw him hitting on you at the singles’ meet last night.”

  “You were there?”

  “For a while. I think he’s interested in giving you some private lessons while we’re here,” he said.

  “And that’s a problem because?…” I shook my head. “Look, Ryan, I’m cool, okay? You don’t have to watch out for me.”

  “Walter—”

  “I know Walter brought you along to keep me company, but I’m fine by myself. Honestly. Go have some fun.” I leaned toward him. “Besides, I didn’t give you any advice about Brooke.”

  His eyes widened. “Brooke?”

  “I spotted you and her yesterday, on the way down the falls. I’m cool with it if you’re interested in her.”

  “For your information I’m not interested in her. She came on to me. She reminded me of an octopus.”

  “Yeah, you really looked like you didn’t want to be wrapped in her arms.”

  “Look, Lindsay—”

  “Don’t worry about me, Ryan. I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

  With that I skirted around him, and went in search of some equipment to buy because I figured Ryan was probably right. I would want to snorkel more than once, and we might even be able to get some snorkeling time in when we got to Cozumel.

  I was looking at masks when Jake came over.

  “Try this one on,” he said.