‘I can pontificate for hours about the merits of celibacy and give you all the reasons in the world why I’ll never have a girlfriend again, but at the same time, I feel like I can tell you anything. And I feel like we’re becoming friends – close friends. Not to mention you’re sexy as hell. And …’ he took a deep breath ‘… I think if we lived in the same city, I’d ask you out.’ My resolve was weakening with every word, and the twinges came back with full force.

‘I didn’t want you to think I’m not attracted to you, because I am. And ever since I first saw you standing on the pier, I’ve wanted to do this.’ Then he leaned down and touched his lips to mine in the most gentle, sweet kiss – ever.

When he pulled away, all I could say was a breathless, ‘Oh. Okay.’

Resolve. Completely. Gone.

He smiled. ‘Goodnight, Sarah.’

‘Goodnight, Josh.’ His eyes stayed on mine as I closed the door. I sat down on my bunk as shivers worked their way up and down my spine. The only thing I knew for sure – right then – was that the guy could kiss.

Oh, and that I was in serious trouble.

*

I woke to the rumbling of the boat’s engine. ‘Hannah,’ I whispered, but there was no answer. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I saw she wasn’t in her bunk. I checked my watch – 2:00am. We were moving, which wasn’t in Duncan’s original plan for the trip, so I threw on some shorts and opened the cabin door.

The lights in the main cabin were on, and I could hear voices up on deck, so I climbed the ladder to join the others. There was a flurry of activity, as Josh and Gary coiled the tow lines and Duncan steered the boat away from the dock. Gerry, Marie and Hannah were huddled together on one of the bench seats, sharing a blanket. I wondered how Hannah had got out of her bunk without waking me; I must have been in a deep sleep.

‘Hey, guys, what’s going on?’ I asked no one in particular.

Gary, who was closest to me, responded. ‘We’ve kicked Patricia off the boat.’

‘Thank god!’ said Hannah from behind him.

‘Why? What happened?’

Duncan answered me. ‘She came back to the boat about an hour ago with a group of people, and they were really loud, and when I came up and asked her to send them away, she refused.’

‘Didn’t you hear any of that, Sarah?’ Hannah scolded. She was annoyed with me for some reason.

‘No, sorry. I guess I slept through it all.’

‘Anyway,’ Gary continued, ‘there was a bit of a kerfuffle, and I came out, then Josh did, and we sent them on their way. Then Patricia said she was leaving the trip.’