Twenty-Nine

Jackson

I had no clue how the schedule worked on the cruise, and when Johnny and Cory had told me how they're on for a few weeks and off for a few, my first thought was to go speak to the captain about staying. I wasn't sure if that would make a difference or not.

I was lost in thought when we were walking back to the dining room for dinner service. Tonight was buffet style, but more casual than the last one with lots of ice sculptures that glowed from internal lighting. They'd added blacklights to this area so it would glow the same as the dance floor later. After saying goodbye to Cory and Johnny I walked right to the Hotel Director's office. If he couldn't help me, I'd see what the captain could do. But I wanted to go through the proper channels.

"Come in," Roger Dayton said as soon as I knocked. "Mr. Carringon, I didn't expect to see you back here. Is there a problem?" he asked as he swiveled his chair to face me.

"No problem, sir. But I'd like to stay on the cruise and continue working in the kitchen. As a permanent employee I mean, and I'd like to be on the same schedule as Cory Wynn." For a moment he just stared at me like this wasn't a surprise to him, and he'd anticipated my request.

"You realize you'd be starting at the bottom. Your pay would be in the bottom tier."

"I know, but I don't care. I love the work and I don't want to lose Cory. I think he might be the best person I've ever met." I knew I sounded pitiful and raw, but I felt pitiful and raw. "The last few years I've let life pass me by while I partied and wasted time. I'd really like a reset and I think that's possible here."

Twenty minutes later I was walking out of his office as the official dishwasher for the main kitchen. I couldn't wait to see Cory and tell him, but first I had a pile of dishes that were calling my name. Slipping on the rubber gloves and apron I got busy and barely noticed when Cory walked in pushing a dish cart a while later.

"Hey, you look busy," he said and started stacking the trays on the counter by the sink.

"Yep, and guess what?" I said unable to wait any longer.

"What? Is everything okay?" he asked.

"It couldn't be better. You're looking at the official dishwasher not the temp one." I grinned as I jammed my thumb into my chest.

"No way, really?" He walked over closer to me, and I knew he wanted to kiss me as bad as I wanted to kiss him.

"Really. I talked to Roger Dayton on the way to my shift and asked for the position. He said they were hoping I wanted it because I've put it back into shape. So, what do you think? Are you ready for a permanent roommate?"

"Can we do that?" Cory asked.

"He said it was fine as long as you agree. He'd rather we bunk together than make two other employees miserable going back and forth between rooms. If it becomes a problem at work, then he'll take action, but I would never want you to risk your job. So, I promise, if things go bad between us, I'll leave." I would never want him to give up anything for me. His job was important, and I meant what I said, if it came down to it, I'd leave.

He rushed at me and took my face in his hands before kissing me hard. "Yes. I can't wait to spend our next time off together. Oh, we need to start planning it, did you want to go somewhere? Or go back home?"

"Do you mind if we go home? I want to introduce you to my family." I'd be turning twenty-nine soon and I had never brought anyone home to meet my parents. Not only because they were intense and a lot to handle, but also because I'd never met anyone important enough to. But I wanted everyone to know about Cory and know without a doubt I loved him.

"Do you think that's a good idea? I don't want to cause any problems with your family," he said.

"The only problems with my family are what I've caused. They'll be thrilled to meet you, and even happier you're a local. They were worried I'd meet someone from Florida and end up moving out there, but it's not for me."

"We'll be there when we're working," he reminded me.

"Yeah, but only to get on the ship then we're out of there."

"I'll meet your family if you meet mine. Fair is fair, right?" Cory said, and I tried to remember any details about his family but came up blank.

"Of course. I can't wait to meet them."

He kissed my cheek before mumbling, "You might regret those words."

"What? Why?" I asked, but he smiled and chuckled as he pulled the cart out of the kitchen backwards, watching me the whole way.

"Hey, Chef says you're going to join us permanently," Javier, the sous chef who'd helped me the first day, said.

"Yes, I am. I'm happy here, and I'm not ready to leave. Plus, I just got everything in order, and I don't you guys making a mess again."

"You're staying?" one of the chefs who had never said a word to me yelled from the cooktop.

"Yes, I'm staying."

"Thank god!" he yelled back and went back to cooking without another word.

There were a few more words of smack talk that echoed across the kitchen, but Javier slapped me on the back and laughed.

"Welcome home, kid. Now you're stuck with us."

I remembered years ago hearing how important it was to find your people. I never understood what they meant. Not until today, and not until Cory.