‘I’ll come with you,’ replied Josh. My stomach flip-flopped, and I looked at the others. The guys didn’t seem to care what was going on with Josh and me, but Marie and Gerry exchanged a look, and Hannah’s expression soured. I didn’t know what else to say, so I turned on my heels and started walking away. ‘Have a great night,’ I called over my shoulder. It didn’t take long for Josh to catch up.

‘Hey, wait up.’ He fell into step beside me.

‘Good pizza, huh?’ I was really going to have to work on my conversation skills.

‘Yeah. Seriously good pizza.’ So was he.

We both fell silent, and I became overly aware of the lack of conversation. Since we’d met, we’d done nothing but talk – books, movies, travel, family, life, the universe, everything – and suddenly I was struggling to find anything to say. Apparently, my hormones had rendered my brain useless.

Then I realised it was the first time we’d been alone since he’d done the flirty thing with my tattoo. My senses went on high alert. Was he going to make a move? And if he did, would I let him? When we arrived at the boat, Josh offered to make us a drink. Was that a good idea, or the worst idea ever?

‘Sounds good,’ I said, even though I was leaning towards it being the worst idea ever. ‘I’ll wait up here,’ I heard myself say, trying to do what I’d promised myself – rein it in. Because all I could think of was being naked with him on his bunk, and I knew that was far less likely to happen if we didn’t go anywhere near his cabin.

I carefully climbed onto the top deck of the boat, directly over the dining nook and the galley, and got settled on the inflatable dinghy. I’d found the spot a couple of days before when I was looking for a comfy place to read. A few minutes later a cup appeared over my shoulder, and I gratefully took it. I had a sip while he sat beside me. ‘You make a hell of a G&T, you know.’

‘I do know. I even have it on my résumé.’

‘You do not.’ I smiled at him over the rim of my cup, grateful he’d broken the awkwardness between us. I took another sip. I missed drinking out of a proper glass, but otherwise, it was a good drink.

‘No, you’re right. But I did tend bar in college so I could put it on there if I wanted to.’

‘Ever thought about coming out of retirement?’