“What if he rejects me?”
“Then you had really good cruise sex with someone you’ll never see again like the plan and not worry about it.”
I don’t believe this is possible, but I obey her.
Hope:Hi again. I was wondering if you have plans tomorrow? I’m doing the catamaran snorkeling trip. Want to come?
He doesn’t reply.
“Well, I asked. We’ll see.”
“He’s probably at dinner. Don’t worry.”
We finish eating, taking our time to linger over an absolutely delicious passionfruit flan, and then head to karaoke. We arrive right on time, but there’s already an elderly crowd assembled.
“I bet we’re in for a lot of Frank Sinatra,” Lauren says.
“Good evening, ladies,” a very upbeat gentleman I recognize as a singer from the Broadway revue says to us.
“Hi there,” Lauren says.
“The song library is here,” he says, handing me an iPad. “Be sure to sign up with me as soon as you look. It’s a full house and slots are filling up fast.”
“Will do. Thanks,” I say.
We look through the selections. Lauren chooses “Heartbreaker” by Pat Benatar.
“I’m going to dedicate it to Colin,” she says. “He’ll eat it up.”
“He’s coming?” I ask. I’m a little disappointed to have company on our girls’ night.
“Yeah, I want you to meet him again!” she says. “I need a second opinion.”
“That I can provide.”
I check to make sure they have my go-to karaoke song. They do.
We walk back to the sign-up guy.
“Can I do ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Kate Bush, please,” I ask.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he says. “I’m afraid that one is already taken.”
This is inconceivable. Who other than me would choose a niche art pop song inspired by a nineteenth-century novel, let alone one with that much falsetto?
“Who took it?” I ask.
He points to the front of the room, near the stage. “That gentleman.”
I follow the line of his finger to none other than Felix Segrave.
“Oh my actual God,” Lauren says. “This is some fated mates shit.”
“Should I talk to him?” I ask.
“Duh.”
I walk over to where he’s standing. He’s in conversation with Pear and doesn’t see me coming until I tap him on the shoulder.
