*Shelby****“Todd, I am so glad we finally get to spend some time together. It seems like I barely get to see you anymore. I’m so sorry I have been so busy,” I said, smiling at my fantastic boyfriend. I really missed him, but with graduation so close, I had to put all of my efforts into studying.“I’m glad you finally found some time for me,” Todd said in a flat tone. I guessed I deserved that, but the comment still stung.“Where do you want to go eat? I heard there is a great new sushi place just a few blocks over,” I said, trying to switch the mood to a more positive one.“Yeah, that works,” Todd muttered as he pulled out his phone to send a text.We started walking over, and I couldn’t help but feel like something was off, but I relaxed as Todd’s fingers locked with mine.“So, how is work going?” I asked. Todd had graduated with his Bachelor’s degree the year before and started working for his dad’s financial firm after that. “It has been great

*Shelby*The sun was streaming through the glass doors of the balcony when I finally opened my eyes. My head was pounding from a lack of sleep and caffeine. I wanted to order coffee up to my room, but I needed to shower too badly to wait. After running all the way to the yacht and then sitting in the sauna with Michael, I was salty with dried sweat.I probably should have showered last night, but, after reaching my room in the early morning hours, I collapsed on the bed and had fallen asleep in my clothes.I walked into the bathroom, expecting to look like a mess from all the events of the night, my clothes were extremely wrinkled, but I was surprised to see my hair still looked flawless.“I wish I could afford to get a blowout more often,” I said to my reflection, pulling on a few strands as I admired the style.I put my hair up and stepped into the hot water of the shower, washing off the previous day. I stood under the steaming water until I was getting a

*Michael*I made my way up to dinner alone. I silently wished Shelby would be joining us. She was one of the only ones in the group that I actually cared to have a conversation with. However, it might be for the best that she wasn’t coming. I found myself always drawn to her, and if I weren’t more careful, Lauren would catch on to my interest in her friend.I knew that would not go over well.I was the last one to arrive, and I took the only seat available next to Lauren’s new fiance, Todd. “I never got the chance to congratulate you on the engagement last night,” I said as I shook Todd’s hand. “I rushed out because I had an urgent business matter I had to attend to.”I hoped that would adequately explain my quick departure the night before. I felt a little guilty that I had not stayed to celebrate and instead took off after Shelby to make sure she was okay.If I was being honest with myself, my evening spent with Shelby, talking in the sauna, was

*Shelby*“Get your ass to bed before I throw you off my ship.”I fumbled for the doorknob at my back, and the door swung open behind me, almost causing me to trip backward inside. Michael followed me into the room a few seconds later, leaving Todd out in the hall.I thought that this was probably for the best because Michael looked like he really might throw Todd over the side of the ship. Michael locked the door behind him, and I made my way to the bed and sat down, trying to catch my breath. I felt safer with Michale here.He came over to me and placed his hands on each side of my face looking into my eyes. Worry swam in his, and I nearly pulled his mouth to mine.“Did he hurt you? Shelby, you have to tell me if he hurt you.”“I’m fine, really. I’m just a little shaken up, but I will be okay.”He continued to hold my face in his hands as if he were inspecting it to reassure himself that I wasn’t hurt. I had to keep my eyes focused on his so t

*Shelby*The last thing I wanted to do was run into Todd, especially after his actions the night before; I thought it would be wise to avoid him completely. Book in hand, I headed to the secret deck off of the dining room balcony, where I had shared a few quiet moments with Michael.I figured it would be the best place for me to hide out and also possibly run into Michael again. He had left in such a rush the night before; I was curious to find out what’d happened.I checked down the hallway before speed walking to the dining room. As soon as my hand hit the doorknob, Lauren’s voice sounded behind me.“Shelby, I have been looking for you everywhere!”I turned around quickly, and I was relieved to see that Lauren was alone. She was wearing a one-piece swimming suit in navy blue with the bust line cutting down to her belly button. She had a white sun hat placed on her waves of perfect curls and a pair of Chanel sunglasses to complete her beachwear.“Lauren,”