Chapter 2

It was one hour before departure. Safira found her cabin. Momentarily, she examined her cute, cozy cabin. It took her mind off the small but intense interaction she had with the guy in the elevator. She placed her suitcase on the bed and began unpacking. A smile crept up when she thought about that salacious smile he gave her.

"I can't believe I let Angela talk me into doing this cruise alone. Cruises just seem like they're for couples or a thing you do with your friends. Now I'm here unpacking all alone with this good-looking man watching me. "What am I supposed to do?" 

"Oh, before I forget, let me take out a change of clothes for later," Safira muttered as she put her things away.

Safira sighed, trying to ignore the hints that the guy who stood by her taxi and then in the elevator was interested in her. She heard so many things about cruises, like people being able to find true love, others' heartbreak, and some just a good time. But true love, stuff like that never happens to her. He's seeking to have a good time. So she reserved herself to being here to enjoy this experience alone while getting some much-needed relaxation.  All she's thinking about doing, is eating as much as she wants and doing the activities she enjoys, mainly having fun, relaxing, and dancing.  Once she had all her clothes put away, she freshened up and touched her makeup before going to the promenade deck for a late lunch. 

When she exited the elevators, you could hear the music. It made her smile because she loves music and likes to dance. The ship was large and beautiful, with plenty to do. She picked up one of the menus and the agenda for the ship's activities. A few people were already out dancing to the music and having fun! Safira continued walking toward the food court area.

"I'm going to have a ball tonight all by myself,"  she mutters.

Safira passed a line of people waiting to get international food.  She thought that would be something interesting to try later. A juicy hamburger fully dressed and fries and a coke and rum is what she really wants. She got her food and sat by the balcony that offered great views. There wasn't a bad seat on the ship. She sat down and enjoyed the music and people-watching while she ate.  Admittedly, there were good-looking people everywhere. Then, these guys got on stage. It was the band performing tonight. She noticed that they were good-looking, especially that guitar player.  He was a nice eye candy, a fantasy, Safira thought. She thought about her long list of standards and realized a long time ago she could never date a musician; that wasn't the lifestyle she was seeking.

After eating her meal, she sat there enjoying the music a little longer, and then she sipped her Coke and rum drink. By this time, the ship had left the port, and the cruise had officially begun. She looked out at the water as the guys in the band told everyone to wave goodbye to California. Safira followed suit, waving goodbye when she turned her head to continue enjoying the band. The guitar player she had been eying must have noticed because he told her to come to the dance floor. 

Safira pointed to herself to make sure he was talking to her. He nodded, smiling at her. The colorful lights came on as the evening was taking over. The floor was crowded, and she figured this would be the perfect time to go and dance and have a little fun. The band played an up-tempo number like the current songs you hear on the radio. The music poured through hidden speakers, and the chatter of everyone having a good time filled the air.  

Before long, Safira threw her hands in the air and waved them like she didn't care! Before the next song was played, the band introduced themselves. The good-looking guy on the guitar, his name was Monte.  They slowed things down a bit in their next song as Safira found herself swaying to the sultry, cool beat. It surprised her when she looked up to the stage. The smooth baritone vocals captivated her attention. She watched the guitar player sing the pretty ballad. Safira closed her eyes, swaying to the beat as he sang that song. 

She felt someone tap her shoulder. But when she opened her eyes and turned around, no one but the couples dancing around her were there. She looked back up at the stage, thinking it must have been someone who had bumped into her on the crowded floor. When the song ended, everyone clapped and took pictures of the band shaking their hands. The guitar player smiled and shook some hands but didn't linger. Safira hoped the sexy guitar player would continue past her, but nope. Instead, he stopped in front of her and did the unexpected. He reached down and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. Her gaze flew to his, and she snatched her hand abruptly. His eyes widened. She glanced around to see if anyone had noticed what happened.

"Oh goodness, why did I do that? He caught me so off guard, but I can't fall for that trap," she mumbled, staring down at her hand. Clenching her fist, she willed the sensation to stop. 

Looking around at other couples and people, Safira noticed they were too busy trying to take pictures with the other band members. Safira didn't think she was being watched, but someone had their eyes on her the whole time. Maybe she was crazy or intoxicated, but she felt like someone was watching her. But it didn't appear that someone was scoping her out other than the guitar player on stage.

The guitar player moved alone, talking to someone else. When he was finished, he picked up his guitar, and they announced it was their last song for the night. He nodded in her direction with a smile as he sang another song, a beautiful ballad about a love worth waiting for. Although she enjoyed the lyrics, she knew only a few were fortunate enough to find that love, and nothing like that had ever happened to her.  As soon as the last note faded away, the guitar player asked. 

"Did everyone enjoy the show?"

Thunderous applause and screams followed. 

"Our live band will be back tomorrow evening, and we look forward to your joining us. Continue to dance and have a good time tonight. Thank you, everyone!" 

 Safira headed back to her cabin. She had a lot of fun but felt tired. The guitar player watched her leave from the crowd as he tried to catch up to her.

"Hey, are you ending your night so early?"  Safira heard a voice from behind asked.

She turned, and it was the guitar player. "Hi, my name is Monte. Would you like to have a drink with me?"

"Uhmm...thanks, but it's been a long day, and I need my rest," Safira says, turning as she walks away.

"Maybe some other time? My band will be playing tomorrow night." Monte says, smiling, admiring her figure from behind.

"Maybe," she said, not looking back but strutting ahead to the elevators. He watched her hips sway as she entered the elevator doors.

Safira went to take a shower and then climbed into the comfy queen-sized bed, clicking on the television and enjoying her cozy cabin for the rest of the night.

"Ahh...this is not so bad after all, being here alone." She smiles, satisfied with her first vacation day alone on her cruise. But am I all alone? Now, see, I am wondering. I could have sworn someone touched my shoulder. See, this is the freaky stuff that happens to me. That's what I get this for caring about a friend so much that I'm willing to do almost anything, like go on a romantic cruise alone just to make my friends happy. Angela's going to cause my whole world to get turned upside down!" Safira said, throwing the sheet over her head, partially excited and curious about how her doing something this adventurous for the first time would turn out.