Nineteen

Jackson

As the three of us ate I slowly realized this was what I loved about working that summer as a dishwasher. The easy camaraderie with the kitchen staff, and how there was a slight us against them vibe concerning difficult guests, but that we were all more than willing to set right. It was the same here.

"Dinner is semi-formal, so not quite as many plates for the service. You might just be able to catch up," Cory said.

I rubbed my hands together making him laugh. "Challenge accepted. There were so many dishes when I got there. I don't know how they thought the kitchen staff could handle it, they're busy as hell."

"Are you working during the party?" Cory asked.

"I don't know. I was so excited just to be put to work I didn't ask for any details."

"It's an eighties theme," Johnny said.

"That sounds fun. I mean not that I would even want to go. I'm finally feeling better, so I don't plan on drinking for a long time." I wanted Cory to know I was serious about not drinking and saying it out loud made it feel more real to me. He grinned at me, and I couldn't look away. I didn't consider myself to be an alcoholic, but I definitely had a problem with it, and this was the perfect chance for me to change that.

"So," Johnny said and cleared his throat. "Are you guys going to the crew party tonight?"

Cory's eyes widened slightly before he once again looked at me and waited for me to answer. "Not me. I meant what I said."

"I could probably use a little more sleep," he said.

"You guys sound like the adult section. But I guess I could skip tonight too."

"Hey, a good night's rest never hurt anyone," Cory said.

We all ate and chatted about how work was going, and once again I was hit with that feeling of belonging somewhere and actually enjoying doing something worth doing and not just lazing around drinking.

"I'm going to get back to work. I'll see you guys around," Johnny said as he stood from the table and left Cory and me alone.

"So, how's it really going?" he asked and leaned in close.

I settled my hand over the top of his and leaned in closer to him. "It's going really well. I was worried that the Hotel Director wasn't going to let me work or pay my bills. But I think they were so desperate for a dishwasher they took a chance. I'm not going to let them down."

"Good thing you had experience. I wasn't kidding when I said I'm glad I'm not working in the kitchen. It's so fast-paced and I have no kitchen experience, so no thanks," Cory said.

"I forgot how much I actually enjoyed doing it. I can't wait to get some earbuds so I can listen to music while I work." And a phone because I couldn't listen to music without a phone. But I hadn't missed it since I'd lost it.

"You can borrow mine if you want, and my phone. I don't mind, and I can't wear them on the floor."

"Thank you, but I'm going to wait until I can get my own. It's more than time for me to pay my own way."

"Whatever you want. If you get bored, go ahead and use them."

"I can't imagine getting bored, and I'm glad you didn't want to go to the crew party. I can't wait to lie next to you tonight and just relax." I hadn't meant to say that even if it was true. But the complete truth was I thought of Cory holding me in his arms at night way more than I even wanted to admit to myself.

"That sounds nice," he whispered.

Sometimes when Cory looked at me, I knew exactly what he was thinking. When he was mad or upset it was written all over his face, but there were times he looked at me and I thought I saw something more than just a guy who was helping someone out. The way he brushed my hair back over my ear when we were lying there, and his gentleness called to me in so many ways.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked me.

"Me? Oh, nothing. Just hoping I can get all caught up on dishes when I go back to work." I bit my lip and hoped he believed me. I wasn't ready to get into a deep conversation about emotions and I think he realized that.

"I hope so too, and I can't wait to hold you all night again. Maybe we can see how the eighties party is going after we're done with work," Cory said, not making a big deal of telling me he'd be holding me all night.

"You're amazing," I said, and that made him blush. He was beautiful, and I was lucky to have met someone like him. "Let's get back to work so we can get it all done."

We walked out of the dining room together and past the pool area. The lounge chairs were lined up right next to each other the length of the swimming pool and under a cover that gave some protection from the sun. There were lots of thongs and other swimsuits that somehow seemed even smaller than a thong. It was fun to look though, and both of us got an eyeful until we walked into the kitchen area.

"I'm in awe that some of those swimsuits are able to stay in place," I said, making Cory laugh.

"I know! There's a topless deck on top of the ship closer to the smokestack, but since this cruise is mostly men, they open it up for nude bathing too."

"That doesn't seem like a good idea. Isn't it a lot easier to get sunburned on a cruise ship? I swear I've heard that somewhere."

"I don't know if it's easier, but when the ship is moving it's definitely breezier, and if it's sunny people don't realize how much sun they're getting. Just be glad you don't work at the clinic that's on board. They'll be dealing with sunburn in places you never thought you could get burned," Cory said, making both of us laugh—and cringe.

"Think I can pass on that too," I said as we arrived outside the kitchen. "Guess I'll see you later?"

"Yep. We should both be done around the same time. Hopefully it's not swamped. But I know they're all going to be eating early so they have time to go back to their rooms and get ready for the party later. Then they'll go to one of the bars and wait for the music to start. I'll stop by here when I'm done and see if you're still here."

"Okay, bye, Cory," I said and like the unapologetic fool I was, I watched him walk down the hall on the way to the dining room.