Chapter Six

Kyle

The cabin is a refuge on this huge floating hotel that seems filled to overflowing with people. I can cross the space in a couple of strides but it's my own private oasis. The glass doors open onto a small balcony. Through them I can see an endless expanse of blue ocean stretching all the way to the horizon. It's beautiful but part of me wishes I was back home on the farm surrounded by the comforting familiarity of grapevines and the mountains in the distance.

Turning my back on the view, I grab my phone and tap the icon for FaceTime, glad I subscribed to the Wi-Fi package, because I really want that connection to home.

"Hey, John."

My brother's face fills the screen. He's sitting at the kitchen table. I can see Sarah behind him, no doubt cooking dinner. It's a familiar routine that I miss.

"Kyle! How's the cruise going?" John asks.

"It's fine. We're still afloat so that's a win."

"Have you met anyone interesting yet?" Sarah calls out from the stove.

"Um, not really. I've just been walking around, checking out the pool and stuff. There are some pretty outrageous outfits and a lot of out-there people, and everyone seems to be having an awesome time. It's great for people watching."

"Sounds like quite the experience," John says with a smile. "But you're not going to find anyone interesting if you don't get out there and mingle."

"I ran into this guy in the ship's library and we had a bit of a chat," I reply, feeling the need to defend myself.

"Yeah? That's great, Kyle. Are you going to see him again?"

I shrug. "This ship is huge. I'll probably never run into him again. Besides, I'm not very interesting compared to everyone else out there." I glance down at my khaki shorts and plain white T-shirt doubting that I could hold anyone's interest even if I tried.

"Hey, don't say that," John says. "You're one of the most interesting people I know. You just need to give yourself a chance."

Sarah appears over his shoulder. "Kyle Brown, you are gorgeous. One day you'll realise just how handsome you are. And you're smart, and kind, and—"

"I get the picture." I can't help smiling.

"Just promise us you'll go out to dinner tonight. You've got to eat, don't you?"

"They have room service," I tease.

"Kyle!"

I chuckle. They may nag me but I know they only have my best interests at heart. "Okay Mum and Dad, I'll go out to dinner."

"Har har," John says, his smile growing wider. "And make sure you actually talk to people, okay? Don't just sit in a corner and eat by yourself."

"I'll try."

"Great. Now go have fun. We want to hear everything when you get back." With that, he ends the call, and the cabin is suddenly quiet again.

The prospect of socialising on my own is daunting, but I take a deep breath and gather my courage as I change for dinner.

The moment I step out of my cabin, I run into people in the corridor—guests making their way to the public areas, cabin attendants with carts filled with cleaning supplies, a couple of drunk woman stumbling through an open cabin door. I steel myself and navigate the crowded hallways, until I find myself at the entrance to the ship's buffet. A quick squirt of hand sanitiser from the person at the door and I'm inside surrounded by more food than I've seen in my life.

For a moment I'm regretful that I didn't just order room service again, but I promised John.

The sheer variety of food on display is overwhelming. A colourful assortment of salads, breads, sushi rolls, steaming platters of exotic dishes from all corners of the globe, a carvery, a pizza station, and an entire island dedicated to desserts leaves me unsure where to begin. I decide to stick with what I know—roast beef and vegetables. After piling up my plate with familiar food, and grabbing a beer, I weave through the crowd, looking for an empty table.

"Hey, neighbour," someone says as I walk past a table, and I realise they're talking to me.

I look and see two women who look somewhat familiar but I can't place them.

One of them laughs. "The cabin next door. We waved across the balcony."

Of course!Now I remember. "Oh, hey, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kyle."

"I'm Kate, and this is Lindy," the blonde says.

Lindy gestures to the seat next to her. "We've got room if you want to join us."

"Uh, sure. Thanks," I say, relief washing over me as I put down my plate and take a seat. They both seem friendly and laid back.

"Are you enjoying the cruise so far, Kyle? Is it what you expected?" Kate asks.

"It was a gift so I didn't really have any expectations. I guess the whole experience has been… different?" I say, fiddling with my fork. "I'm not really used to being around so many people."

"You'll get the hang of it soon enough. Besides, we're all here to have fun, right?" Lindy says. "We've enjoyed the first couple of days so far."

"Speaking of fun," Kate says, raising her glass of wine in a toast. "We're celebrating our engagement on this cruise."

"Congratulations! That's wonderful news."

"Thank you," Lindy beams, her eyes filled with love as she gazes at Kate and taps their wine glasses together.

"So how did you two meet?" I ask, picking up my knife.

I get stuck into my dinner as they tell me about meeting at the hospital where they both work. They then regale me with stories about keeping their relationship secret in the early days. As the conversation continues, I find myself opening up, sharing stories of my life on the farm and learning about their lives in return. Their easygoing nature is contagious, and soon enough, I find myself laughing and genuinely enjoying their company.

"See?" Kate grins, nudging me playfully. "You're doing just fine, Kyle."

"Thanks to both of you," I say. "I'm really glad we met."

"Us too," Lindy agrees, raising her glass once more. "To new friends and unforgettable experiences!"

"Cheers!" We all clink our glasses together and it occurs to me that being out of my comfort zone isn't as bad as I thought it'd be and I'm having a good time.

"Why don't you join us for a drink at the bar?" Kate suggests once we've finished our meals.

I hesitate for a moment, my shyness rearing its head once more. But something in their warm smiles and easy demeanor pushes me to take a chance.

"Sure," I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "That sounds like fun."

"Great!" Lindy exclaims. "Let's go!"

As we walk together towards the bar, I think of the contrast between our personalities. Both Kate and Lindy are outgoing and vibrant, seemingly at ease in any social situation. Their laughter is loud and genuine. I envy that ease, wondering if I'll ever be able to let go of my own inhibitions.

"I assume you've never been on a cruise before?" Kate asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

"No, this is my first time. My brother convinced me to try it, said it would be good for me to try new things and explore a bit."

"Your brother's a smart guy," Lindy chimes in. "You'll have a great time, just hang with us."

We reach the bar, which is bustling with energy. Music plays loudly through the speakers, and people move about, chatting and laughing. The atmosphere is lively, and I feel a touch of excitement.

As soon as we settle into our seats in a small booth, a waiter approaches and takes our drink orders. Not long after our drinks arrive, so does a handsome guy. He's all muscles and tan, and white teeth flashing as he smiles. Or is that a smirk? Although good looking, he's flashy and over-confident, and that in itself puts me on edge.

"Hey there." He slides into the booth next to me without an invitation, sliding his arm along the back of the seat.

I'm sure my eyes are wide as I stare at him unsure what to say.

"You sure are gorgeous," he says, saving me from having to speak. "I'm Derek."

"Uh, h-hi," I stammer, feeling uncomfortably cornered. I glance at Kate and Lindy, hoping for some sort of rescue.

"Hey, Derek," Kate interjects smoothly, flashing him a friendly smile. "We're actually in the middle of a conversation here. Maybe you could give us some space?"

"Maybe later then?" he says, ignoring Kate and giving me the once over, sending a shiver down my spine. And not in a good way.

He pushes up and moves on, but the lingering discomfort remains. I prefer a slow and steady approach, and maybe an invitation, not someone throwing themselves in front of me uninvited.

"Tell us more about your vineyard, Kyle," Lindy says, obviously trying to steer the conversation away from the encounter.

"Uh, well, it's been in our family for generations," I begin, easily slipping into talking about the familiar topic. "My brother and I mostly grow grapes for wine production. It's a tough business and hard work, but it's rewarding." I tell them about the daily routine of working the land.

"Sounds an idyllic life," Kate chimes in. "I've always thought I'd love to live in the country."

Lindy snorts. "Since when? You haven't seen a sunrise in ten years, and you love nothing more than the fast pace of city life."

Kate frowns. "I could totally make a tree-change. A cosy cabin, a fireplace, a veggie patch, chooks—"

Lindy's chuckle turns into a full-blown laugh. "Oh my God, Kyle, you've created a monster."

Our conversation continues, touching on everything from work to hobbies. Despite my initial hesitation, I find myself enjoying their company and feel increasingly at ease in their presence. I'm glad I'm pushing my boundaries. I hadn't realised how much I needed this—the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, the promise of finding something special.

It's not long after that we decide it's time to head back to our cabins. We weave our way through the still-partying crowd, making our way towards the elevators. When we arrive outside my cabin, I turn to the two woman who I now count as friends.

"Thank you. For everything," I say, hoping they can see how sincere I am.

"Anytime," Kate replies, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze. "That's what friends are for."

"And, Kyle," Lindy says, "promise us that you'll keep stepping out of your comfort zone sometimes on this trip. We don't want you to miss out on any amazing experiences."

I nod, taking her words to heart. "I promise."