Chapter 1

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AUGUST 1st, 2022

11:16 am

"Let me be absolutely clear, getting coffee this one time does not mean we're getting back together."

"I'm aware."

"And I'm serious."

"Do you see me laughing?"

But if the signature lopsided grin on his face told me anything, it was that he probably was laughing at me in his head. Or most likely, not even listening in the first place.

I held my breath, about to fire back a sarcastic retort, but before I could, he was already moving toward the door. "After you, your highness." He swung it open wide, revealing cream chairs and turquoise walls.

I grumbled under my breath as I walked through the door. "Stupid cruises and bingo and graduation bullshit and..."

"What was that?"

I paused at the door, this time saying it loud and clear. "I hate you."

But he just laughed and said, "I know," beforefollowing me through the door.


* * *

Two Weeks Earlier

If I was to be completely honest, I didn't have a problem with Bingo itself. It was a game that required no skill—save for picking the right card—and it always reminded me of our family reunions, sitting on my dad's lap while he cracked corny jokes with every call. We would bring out the Bingo set every reunion, every power outage, and the rare occasion when I went home on a random weekend.

My problem wasn't with Bingo. It was with the fact that out of every single game I've played throughout my twenty-five years of life, I've never won.

It had to be some mathematical error at this point, some fluke in the universe that cursed me to lose and keep losing at a game that completely relied on chance. Call it sheer unluckiness, I guess. But despite my lifetime losing streak, being a part of my family practically meant my life revolved around the game. Which is why I now found myself in the Ruby Room on the S.S. Brennan, Bingo cards and rainbow markers surrounding me.

The game was going exactly as expected. Nearly five minutes in, and I only had two markers on my card, which was practically statistically impossible. Eventually, Mom leaned over when I placed my third marker in what felt like years and said, "Hey you never know, hon, this might be your lucky game!"

I eyed my bleak card compared to her nearly full one and barely stifled a laugh. "I'm not sure about that one, Mom."

Sure as shit, within the next call or two, someone stood up and shouted "Bingo!" and I just shook my head and laughed.

Dad leaned over from his seat across the table to look at my card. When he saw how empty it was, he nearly snorted. "Maybe the problem is that you don't have a drink."

Ain't that the truth. "You know what," I said, standing and scanning the room for the bar, "I think you're exactly right," I said, before pushing in my chair and making my way over.

The absolute best part about all-inclusive cruise ships paid for by Mom and Dad, hands-down was the free alcohol.

It blew being post-grad. All that I had going for me now were student loans putting me in an obscene amount of debt, and a potential, extremely low-paying job as a high school English teacher lined up. My wallet was practically empty between the rent payments, high gas prices, phone bills, you name it. It made going out with my friends impossible and alcohol a luxury I definitely couldn't afford.

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