Read Online Going Nowhere (A Romantic Comedy Novella) by Kimberly Lauren - Free Book Online
Authors: Kimberly Lauren
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older.”
“Is there an age limit ?”
He directed his pearly white smile in the direction of the clipboard. “Um... it doesn’t look like it. This is the teen disco, however, and these contests are meant for them.”
“Is there a similar contest for an adult to win a seat at the captain’s table?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then I guess you’ve left me no choice.” I picked up the old, bumpy pencil and poised it in the air above the sign-up sheet.
Chip grabbed the edge of the board and pulled it away. “We want to give the kids an opportunity to speak to the captain of the ship. It’s really an educational experience for them. We may not have a rule against anyone older entering, but—”
“Listen, Chip, I have some very good reasons for being at the table. I’m going to enter this contest and I’m going to win.” I snatched the clipboard back and signed it with such force that the tip of the pencil broke off. “I think you’re going to need another pencil. Thanks!”
“My pleasure,” he replied through gritted teeth.
“Don’t mention it.” I started to move aside, and then popped back one more time to terrorize Chip some more. “I don’t suppose you’re the judge?”
“No.”
“Perfect,” I replied, clapping my hands together and grinning from ear to ear. “I’ll wait over here until you’re ready to get started.”
“We have to wait for the judge.”
Chip tried valiantly to solicit other people to join the contest, but he wasn’t successful beyond the five names that were already on the list. He pressed the button on the walkie-talkie that he had hanging from his belt loop. “We’re ready to start the contest. Are you on your way?”
It made that sound walkie-talkies make, then, “I’ll be right up.”
That voice sounded kind of familiar. I crossed my fingers, hoping for an old friend. The Connoisseur Cruises headquarters was in Miami. A lot of people I grew up with worked for them.
I bent my knee and held my ankle up against the back of my thigh to stretch my hamstring. Then I did the other side. I heard someone snicker, but I figured they were laughing at that geek Chip.
“Oh, great. You’re here.”
I looked up and turned in the direction of approaching footsteps. Crap. The judge for the dancing contest was none other than Maria from guest relations. The same Maria who’d had little concern for my nightgown-clad body last night. My shoulders slumped in defeat.
I could feel both Chip’s and Maria’s beady gazes land on me in damning synchronicity. There was some nervous shuffling before Chip halfheartedly shielded his mouth and said, “There’s something I need to warn you about.”
I straightened my back—Grandma always said good posture inspires confidence—and marched right up to them and said, “I was joking about that whole ‘joining the contest’ thing. I have better things to do than waste my time with such triviality.”
Maria nodded. “That’s good, since no one expected an adult like you to participate in this ‘ triviality .’”
“Then we’re in agreement!” With that, I stalked off deck twelve without a backwards glance.
Yes, I was being a quitter, but I knew Maria would never let me win. I wasn’t about to humiliate myself without good reason. I did that enough back home.
All I could think was that this cruise was starting to look like an expensive lesson in forethought.
Chapter Eight
A COUPLE OF hours later, I was on my way to the miniature golf course on the top deck. April was nursing a hangover in our cabin, but Sam had actually called her while I was exploring the ship. He’d wanted to know what size pants he wore so he could buy some knock-off designer jeans at the Straw Market.
Then he told her he was planning on playing a few rounds of golf when he got back on board. That he’d actually be there and that I’d be able to find him was probably too much to hope for.
I lucked out. There he
“Is there an age limit ?”
He directed his pearly white smile in the direction of the clipboard. “Um... it doesn’t look like it. This is the teen disco, however, and these contests are meant for them.”
“Is there a similar contest for an adult to win a seat at the captain’s table?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then I guess you’ve left me no choice.” I picked up the old, bumpy pencil and poised it in the air above the sign-up sheet.
Chip grabbed the edge of the board and pulled it away. “We want to give the kids an opportunity to speak to the captain of the ship. It’s really an educational experience for them. We may not have a rule against anyone older entering, but—”
“Listen, Chip, I have some very good reasons for being at the table. I’m going to enter this contest and I’m going to win.” I snatched the clipboard back and signed it with such force that the tip of the pencil broke off. “I think you’re going to need another pencil. Thanks!”
“My pleasure,” he replied through gritted teeth.
“Don’t mention it.” I started to move aside, and then popped back one more time to terrorize Chip some more. “I don’t suppose you’re the judge?”
“No.”
“Perfect,” I replied, clapping my hands together and grinning from ear to ear. “I’ll wait over here until you’re ready to get started.”
“We have to wait for the judge.”
Chip tried valiantly to solicit other people to join the contest, but he wasn’t successful beyond the five names that were already on the list. He pressed the button on the walkie-talkie that he had hanging from his belt loop. “We’re ready to start the contest. Are you on your way?”
It made that sound walkie-talkies make, then, “I’ll be right up.”
That voice sounded kind of familiar. I crossed my fingers, hoping for an old friend. The Connoisseur Cruises headquarters was in Miami. A lot of people I grew up with worked for them.
I bent my knee and held my ankle up against the back of my thigh to stretch my hamstring. Then I did the other side. I heard someone snicker, but I figured they were laughing at that geek Chip.
“Oh, great. You’re here.”
I looked up and turned in the direction of approaching footsteps. Crap. The judge for the dancing contest was none other than Maria from guest relations. The same Maria who’d had little concern for my nightgown-clad body last night. My shoulders slumped in defeat.
I could feel both Chip’s and Maria’s beady gazes land on me in damning synchronicity. There was some nervous shuffling before Chip halfheartedly shielded his mouth and said, “There’s something I need to warn you about.”
I straightened my back—Grandma always said good posture inspires confidence—and marched right up to them and said, “I was joking about that whole ‘joining the contest’ thing. I have better things to do than waste my time with such triviality.”
Maria nodded. “That’s good, since no one expected an adult like you to participate in this ‘ triviality .’”
“Then we’re in agreement!” With that, I stalked off deck twelve without a backwards glance.
Yes, I was being a quitter, but I knew Maria would never let me win. I wasn’t about to humiliate myself without good reason. I did that enough back home.
All I could think was that this cruise was starting to look like an expensive lesson in forethought.
Chapter Eight
A COUPLE OF hours later, I was on my way to the miniature golf course on the top deck. April was nursing a hangover in our cabin, but Sam had actually called her while I was exploring the ship. He’d wanted to know what size pants he wore so he could buy some knock-off designer jeans at the Straw Market.
Then he told her he was planning on playing a few rounds of golf when he got back on board. That he’d actually be there and that I’d be able to find him was probably too much to hope for.
I lucked out. There he
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