Jules bounced towards Ty, an excited gleam in her eyes. "I got my top three!"

"That was fast. It's only been an hour and a half," Ty said. She kept her eyes on the lounge, any more acknowledgment from her would only heighten Jules' energy.

"Have you seen this crowd?" Jules asked. "I don't need any more time."

"I'm looking," Ty said.

An hour into the party and everyone was already feeling lost. There was a sizable crowd that hadn't left the dance floor since the first song. Anyone who wasn't dancing had spread out along the tables and couches, to sip and eat to their heart's content.

She was already predicting cutting the group off from the alcohol early and calling in a few extra crew members at the end of the night to guarantee everyone made it back to their rooms.

"They are all good-looking and loaded," Jules said. "I overheard a few guys talking about stocks and bonds."

"Who are the lucky three?" Ty asked.

Jules subtly pointed out her runner-ups. One on the dance floor and one by the bar. Ty thought their expensive jackets and haircuts were their most attractive features.

"Who claimed first place?" Ty asked.

"He's just over your right shoulder," Jules said. Her eyes paused for a moment as she scanned the area over Ty's shoulder. "He is perfection! The only flaw," her face fell a little, "he seems to have his eyes set on you."

"He probably just wants another drink," Ty reassured her. She casually shifted her position to look over her shoulder. She found Hudson. He was lounging on a couch with two girls, his eyes on Ty. She held his look for a moment before turning back to Jules. "The guy on the red couch?" she asked.

"Yes, isn't he gorgeous?" Jules said.

"He's mine," Ty said.

Jules' eyes went big and she gripped Ty's arms excitedly. "What is this? Someone has caught your attention?"

"Don't act so surprised."

"Surprised? I'm amazed!"

Ty rolled her eyes. "It's happened before."

"Six months ago!"

"What about Nate?"

"You said he was cute and that was the last I heard about it."

"I thought Anthony was cute too."

"Stating a thought and doing nothing about it doesn't count."

"I think it does," Ty said, extracting herself from Jules's firm grip.

"Is that what you are doing now?" Jules asked, her eyes narrowing."Because if you aren't going to do anything about it, then you can't claim him."

"Who says something hasn't already happened?"

The comment was too much for Jules. Her small body couldn't contain her excitement and she began to bounce "Ty Ann Bennett what are you saying?!"

"That's not my middle name," Ty said flatly.

"Ty." Jules fixed her with a threatening look.

"Jules," Ty said lazily.

"You can't do that! You can't drop a bomb like that then walk away."

"Oh, but I can, and I will." Ty gave her a sly smile.

Riling Jules up was too easy and so entertaining. She went to leave, but Jules grabbed her wrist.

"He's coming over here!" she squealed.

Ty glanced over her shoulder and saw Hudson disentangling himself from his female companions. He must have taken her look as an invitation.

"Jules, go see if the bar needs any refills," Ty instructed.

"He is almost here!" Jules said. Her grip on Ty's wrist tightened.

"Jules, the bar."

"And miss meeting Mr. Hottie. No thanks."

"Jules." Ty fixed her with a stern look.

"Fine," Jules grumbled, dropping her hands. "But if he isn't interested, I call dibs."

Ty gave her a gentle push to get her moving.

"I thought you only spoke English and Spanish," Hudson said from behind Ty.

She smiled and turned. "Danke schoen hardly makes me fluent in German."

"You could have fooled me."

"Then you're not as smart as I thought."

He studied her for a long moment, intrigue dancing in his eyes. "Listen, what you heard in the closet..."

"I'm not sure what you are referring to," she said innocently.

"I know you were the one in the closet who overheard what I said about my brother and his friends."

"You're wrong..."

"No," he countered quickly.

"I don't think anyone here is a rhino," she grinned.

He laughed in surprise and shook his head. "You must not have met Hank yet. The resemblance is uncanny."

Ty laughed, scaring away any hostility between them.

"Danke scheon? Really?" he asked with a joking grin.

She shrugged. "I saw an opportunity and I took it."

"Do you make a habit out of torturing all your passengers?"

"You make me sound so sinister," she said, her eyes lighting up at the compliment.

"You were hiding in a dark closet."

"You walked in all on your own."

"And before? With my brother and Kate?"

"They seem like lovely people."

"I'm talking about you."

"People have said I'm quite lovely too."

"Are you sure it wasn't infuriating?"

"Hudson! My man!"

A hunky guy threw an arm around Hudson, bulldozing his way into their quick back and forth. His arms were too big for his jacket, his shaved head looked too small for his body and alcohol had glazed over his eyes.

"Where have you been all night man?" he said, jostling Hudson with every word.

Ty noted the annoyed grimace on Hudson's face and made a quick judgment.

"Hank?" she guessed.

The guy gave her a surprised look. "Have we met?" he asked, looking Ty up and down.

Her customer service smile slid into place. "A lucky guess. Hudson was just describing his friend Hank. You fit the description perfectly."

She was gratified to see Hudson holding back a smile.

"Did he say I was dashingly handsome and brilliant?" Hank asked.

"Something along those lines," she said.

"Thanks, buddy," Hank said. Hudson braced himself as Hank pounded his chest.

"This guy is great!" Hank told Ty. "I mean, when he isn't working. Which is all the time. Then he's just focused and not really that much fun."

"I think that's enough," Hudson said.

He roughly pushed Hank's arm off and straightened his jacket.

"But he's really smart. Has he told you about his app?" Hank asked.

"And we're done," Hudson said.

He tried to lead Hank away, but Hank didn't budge.

"Have you heard of Trifecta?" Hank asked.

Hudson continued to try to move Hank, but he was no match for Hank's size.

"The social app?" Ty asked.

"This guy created it. In high school," Hank said, pointing to Hudson. "It was number one in thirty countries. He's loaded."

Ty looked at Hudson, trying to judge if what Hank had said was true. All she read was annoyance.

Suddenly Hudson stopped fighting. "Hank, did you know Bianca was looking for you?"

"Really?" Hank said. "She's smoking hot."

"She was just here, asking where you were," Hudson said. "Isn't that right, Ty?"

They both looked at her. Hank eager, Hudson pleading.

"She was. Seemed pretty desperate too," Ty said.

Hank gave a smug smile. "I knew she couldn't stay away for long. Which way did she go?"

"That way," Ty and Hudson said, pointing in opposite directions. Hank looked confused.

"She was circling," Hudson explained.

"Looking everywhere for you," Ty added.

"I knew it," he said. He walked away without another word.

Ty watched him go with a fond smile. "He grows on you. You know, in the way only rhinos can."

"Where were we?" Hudson asked. He readjusted his jacket again.

"You were telling me how enjoyable my company is."

"I think the word was infuriating."

"Or was it witty and charming?"

"How about impossible?"

Ty reached out to turn down the collar of his jacket. He waved her hand away.

"Do you make it your mission to annoy all your passengers?" he asked.

She gave him a playful look. "Just the lucky ones."

"How did I get so lucky?" he said flatly.

Ty grinned. It was thrilling to have someone who could match her snappy comments.

"Hudson, there you are," a girl said.

She and another girl appeared on either side of Hudson, snaking their arms around him. One had red hair, the other blonde. He stiffened, looking more uncomfortable than he had with Hank.

"Where are our drinks?" the blonde asked, her voice playfully babyish.

"Did you get lost on your way to the bar?"

"We can show you the way."

They inched closer to Hudson as they spoke.

"I was just on my way to get them," Hudson said.

He shifted his shoulders, trying to gain freedom from the girl's imprisoning hold but without any luck. His shackles wouldn't budge.

"And?" the redhead asked, her lips almost touching his ear. He threw Ty a pleading look.

"He stopped to talk to me," Ty jumped in. That caught the girl's attention. They appraised Ty threateningly. "He was insisting on only the best champagne for you lovely ladies."

The death glares slipped from the girl's faces as they turned their attention back to Hudson.

"You are the sweetest," the redhead cooed.

"How can we show our gratitude?" the blonde asked.

"That won't be necessary," Hudson said.

They both gave airy laughs.

"I would have done it for anyone," he said. "Really, anyone."

"Hudson, why don't you go out with us more often? You're so much fun," the redhead said.

Fun? Ty thought he looked pained and possibly constipated, squished between them.

"We're so happy you are here," the blonde said. "Aren't we Bianca?"

Ty perked up at the name. "Bianca? Hank was just looking for you," Ty said.

"Hank?" Bianca said, disgust in her tone. "He can keep looking. I've got all I want right here." She nuzzled closer to Hudson.

He looked to Ty, panic in his eyes. "What about those drinks?" she said.

"Yes. Let's get those," Hudson said, grasping at anything. "You two sit. I can get them for you."

The girls didn't take the bait. "We'll come with," Bianca said. She led the way to the bar, Hudson and the blonde following her lead.

Hudson threw Ty a desperate look. She watched him go, feeling guilty for the entertainment she found in his discomfort.

"How'd it go?" Jules asked, appearing out of thin air. Ty jumped. "What did he say? Tell me everything! Did you mention me?" Jules asked.

"Yes," Ty said.

"Yes? Which question are you answering?" Jules quivered with energy.

"All of them," Ty said.

"You mentioned me?"

"No."

Jules frowned and tilted her head. "Wait, I'm so confused."

"Exactly," Ty said.

Jules's confusion turned to frustration. "Ty Claire Bennett, you are the worst."

"Am I really the worst?" she asked with a gleeful smile. "And that's not my middle name."

"I don't care about your middle name! I want to hear what the hottie said to you."

"Infuriating, annoying, impossible," Ty ticked off. "He might have said some other things but I'm not recalling them at the moment."

"What did you do to him?" Jules asked.

"Nothing. I was my normal charming self," Ty said.

"Whose the poor soul who had to endure your charm?" Ty and Jules turned to see a mountain of a man with striking blonde hair had crept up on them. Ty was always surprised he was able to go anywhere without rocking the whole ship.

"Ty talked to the hottest guy but is refusing to tell me what happened and being very difficult," Jules let out in one breath.

"That doesn't sound like something she would do," the guy said. He gave Ty a coy smile.

"Anders, you have to make her tell me," Jules pleaded. "I mean it's Ty I'm talking about. She never talks to guys."

"I talk to Anders," Ty pointed out.

"I mean hot guys," Jules said.

"Hey now!" Anders said.

He crossed his arms, his muscles stretching the sleeves to their limits.

Jules realized her mistake. "You're hot, but it's not like there will ever be anything between you and Ty," she corrected.

"Says who?" Anders asked, still not appeased.

"Who says we aren't secretly dating now?" Ty joined in.

"Maybe we've been dating for years," Anders said.

"Maybe we've been secretly married for years," Ty added. She crossed her arms like Anders.

Jules looked between them before throwing her hands up.

"I give up. You two are the worst," she grumbled, stalking away.

"Sometimes I wonder why she puts up with you," Anders said, as they watched her go.

"Have I mentioned how charming I can be?" Ty asked. Anders cast her a knowing look. She shrugged. "I always give her my fries."

"You're lucky the fries on this ship are good enough to counter your charm," Anders said.

"Charming and generous. Who could ask for a better friend?"

Anders didn't respond, his attention had drifted to the dance floor and its female occupants. Ty eyed him suspiciously.

"What are you doing up here?"

He didn't respond.

"Anders," she said, waving her hand in front of his face.

"What?" he asked, looking at her.

"What are you doing up here?"

"I thought you might need some help," he said. He tried to sneak another peek at the dance floor.

"Why would I need your help?" Ty's raised voice snapped his attention back to her.

"You know how these parties can get. I thought you might want backup if things get out of hand."

Ty gave him a flat look. "I'm sure the beautiful women were no incentive at all."

Anders gave her a scandalized look. "Ty, you know I only have eyes for you," he said. He took her hands.

"I'd be flattered if it wasn't a lie," she said, pulling her hands free. "Go!" She pointed to the entrance.

"You need me here," Anders argued. "Remember the Henley Family cruise."

Ty looked around. The alcohol-sloppy dancing was a far cry from a fistfight.

"This is nothing like that," she said.

"Yet. Give it time. You let me leave now and you'll be begging for me later."

"Your pickup lines don't work on me."

"They always work," he smirked.

"Maybe on drunk girls who can't tell the difference between you and a wall."

"Hey now, that hurts my feelings."

"Anders, it's a busy night. I can't be babysitting you while trying to make sure everything runs smoothly. Go," Ty commanded.

"You won't even notice I'm here," he argued, but when Ty began to push he gave in.

"I'll stay on the sidelines," he said.

"Cause that's not creepy." She continued to direct him toward the entrance.

"I can help. Give me a tray. I'll serve."

"Anders, you're a security guard."

"I'm a quick learner."

"Are you really that desperate?" Ty almost had him out of the lounge when he stopped.

"Hey look it's Nico!" he said. He quickly spun free of Ty's grasp as a guy in swim trunks, a tank top and flip-flops approached.

"Have you scoped out the prospects yet?" Nico asked Anders as he took in the scene with a hungry look.

"Nico, no!" Ty said. She wouldn't win two against one.

"Hiya Ty," he said. He had an excited glint in his eyes.

"I haven't gotten a chance," Anders said. "Ty is trying to kick me out."

"Why are you trying to kick him out?" Nico asked.

"This is a private party," she said.

"That's why you need me," Anders said. "To keep the riff-raff out."

"You are the riff-raff," she shot back.

"Ty, Ty, Ty," Nico sang. He shook his head disapprovingly as he put an arm around her shoulders. He smelled of sunblock and chlorine. "My favorite Ty. The Ty around my heart. You don't need to worry about us. You won't even notice us," he said.

She looked at his outfit. "Everyone will notice. You look like a lifeguard."

"I am a lifeguard."

"Who is underdressed for this party," she said.

He held out his hand. "Anders, give me your jacket." Anders quickly shrugged out of his jacket and Nico put it on. "All better," Nico said. The jacket was two sizes too big and looked ridiculous over his trunks and flip-flops.

"No. You both need to leave." Ty tried to grab them but they easily slipped from her grasp.

"Where's the fun in that?" Nico asked.

"We just want to have a good time," Anders said.

Nico put on a puppy dog pout, making his warm brown eyes big and sparkly. Anders did the same, but not to the same effect.

"Nico, no," Ty said firmly.

"Please Ty," he said, batting his eyes.

It should have looked ridiculous, but it was endearing. It made Nico's already adorable tanned features look more so.

"Why? It's not like you stand a chance with any of these girls," she said.

Nico dropped his act. "What are you talking about."

"Aren't you guys here to scope out the pretty girls?" Ty said.

Nico said no while Anders said yes.

"I don't care about the girls," Nico said. "Well I do, but not in that sense. This is the hottest group aboard this week. People are already trying to predict how crazy they'll get. I'm here to get the betting started."

The info clicked into place. Ty gave them a leveling look. "Johnny?" she guessed.

"Who else?" Nico said.

"I should have known."

"So we can stay?" Anders asked hopefully.

"No," Ty said. "Go!"

They both began to argue when someone tapped Ty's shoulder.

"Adrian needs you at the bar," a server told Ty.

"Okay. I'll be right there," she said. She turned back to Nico and Anders.

"I have to go. If you guys cause any trouble for me I am going to personally report you to Louie. Is that clear?" she threatened.

They both stood straighter under her commanding glare.

"Aye aye," Nico said, saluting her.

"I'm serious," she said. She fixed them with one more stony look before she headed for the bar.

Ty felt like a juggler the rest of the night as she kept an eye on Nico and Anders while fulfilling her duties as hostess and avoided Jules. True to their word, Nico and Anders stayed on the sidelines, out of the way and she was able to evade any long conversations with Jules.

She also kept an eye out for Hudson and found she wasn't the only one. From the moment Bianca and the blonde had escorted him away, he was never without company. When he managed to escape from the girls, Hank and another guy had him at the bar tossing back shots. He seemed to be in high demand, much to his annoyance.

When the party finally died down, Hudson led the group out of the lounge, his brother's arms thrown around him. He looked pained, but not as much as Ty imagined he would look if his brother were Bianca and her friends.

Ty kept her hundred-watt smile in place until the last stragglers of the group disappeared around the corner. Every muscle in her body relaxed.

"My cheeks hurt," she said, massaging them.

"My feet hurt," Jules said. She kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the nearest couch.

Ty joined her. "If this group parties like this all the time, it's gonna be a long week."

"At least we have nice-looking guys to enjoy. Speaking of..." Jules said.

"We weren't speaking about anything," Ty said.

She tried to stand but Jules pulled her back.

"Did you talk to the hottie again?" she asked.

"He has a name Jules," Ty said.

"Which is..."

"Hudson."

"Did you talk to Hudson again?"

"No."

"What did he say the first time you talked to him?"

"I already told you," Ty said.

"No, you didn't," Jules said. "And don't do that thing where you talk circles around a question until I forget what I asked in the first place."

"I never do that."

"Yes, you do."

"Like when?"

Jules began to describe a conversation from a few weeks back and Ty listened, suppressing a smug smile. "... then we started talking about elephants," Jules said. "I don't even know how because I had asked about your conversation with Louie. You still haven't told me about that conversation."

"You do have a deeper appreciation for elephants," Ty said.

"But you still didn't tell me what I wanted to know," Jules said. "And you are doing it again." Ty jumped up from the couch. "Ty Leeann Bennett," Jules growled.

She gave Jules an innocent look and was saved from her further annoyance when Nico danced up, Anders close behind.

"Hello ladies," Nico said. "How was your night?"

"Ty won't..." Jules started to say.

"I actually don't care. My night was stupendous!" Nico said.

"Stupendous? You're using your big words," Ty said.

Nico threw her a devilish smile.

"Our bracket is complete," Anders said.

"How did you guys even find something to bet on?" Jules asked.

"Easy," Nico said. "We established categories, subcategories, and a point system."

Jules still looked confused.

"Guys, girls, who's gonna hook up, whose gonna throw up, and whose gonna throw a punch," Anders simplified.

"Ohh," Jules said.

"It's really genius," Nico said, an excited gleam in his eyes.

"That's my queue," Ty said, slipping away.

She grabbed a few stray glasses from a nearby table and was heading towards the bar when she caught sight of Hudson briskly walking back towards the lounge. It didn't take effort to get her smile back.

"I'm surprised," she said, meeting him at the entrance. "No entourage Hudson?"

"It's Mr. Hamilton," he barked.

Ty froze as she took in his tone, stiff stance, and sour look.

"Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Hamilton?" she asked, quickly becoming formal.

"I thought I would do you the courtesy of informing you I will be speaking with your manager tomorrow," he said.

She had no idea what he was talking about but put on a meek smile. She had dealt with disgruntled customers before. She just hadn't thought Hudson would be one.

"May I ask what this is pertaining to?"

"What it pertains to?" he asked indignantly. "It pertains to the way I have been disrespectfully treated." Ty tried to keep her face neutral as she scrambled for a response. "Since you seemed confused, let me give an example," he said. The condescension in his voice was biting. "Earlier tonight, I asked you for assistance and your effort was far from excellent."

A stressed laugh escaped Ty's lips and she quickly tried to muffle it. Hudson had her dumbstruck.

"Do you find this entertaining?" he sneered.

She schooled her features and bowed her head.

"Not at all sir," she said, struggling for her professional tone.

There was a pause. "Well, you should." Hudson's voice came out gleeful.

Ty looked up and found a victorious smirk on his face.

"Are you kidding?" she asked in disbelief.

"Completely," he laughed.

Her posture relaxed as the tension left their conversation.

"What was that for?" she asked, putting her hand over her racing heart.

"Payback," he smirked.

Ty couldn't hold in her laugh. "Well played."

"I try," he said with a casual shrug.

"You were so believable! Do you berate people often?"

The smug look fell from his face.

"Only the lucky ones," he smirked.

She smiled. "How did I get so lucky?"

He gave her a flirty smile.

"Ty, what do you want done with these decorations?" someone called out. She turned to find some crew members gathered around tables covered in flowers, streamers, and more.

"One moment," she called to them.

"You look busy," Hudson said. "I'll get out of your way." He started to leave.

"Hudson," Ty called after him. He paused. "Did you really just come down here for payback?"

She liked the playful smile that spread across his face. "Maybe?"

"Was there something more?" She took a step closer. He gave a careless shrug. "Nothing more?"

He just smiled.

"Has anyone told you you're infuriating?" she asked.

"I think you mean witty and charming," he said.

**********************************************************************

Selling seashells the ship is sailing!

And don't you dare tell me it's not sailing! It's totally sailing! You know how I know I might be sitting in my living room but I can feel the breeze in my hair, hearing the flapping of the sails, smell the scent of the sea! That's right, Ducky! Our ship is sailing!!

Woohoo!! Are you on board with me or are you waving on the dock! 🗯💭💬🛟

I know I've called dibs on side characters before, I think I called dibs on the band member in Three Weeks, but guess what! I'm dumping him for Nico! That's right, Nico is my latest love!

I feel like with his endearing personality and my odd one we will make a happy pair! Don't try to convince me otherwise, I'm in the throes of my delusion and don't want anyone breaking it.

Ah! Young love! 🥰

Anyways, if you found yourself at all amused by this delightful chapter then vote, comment, follow!

If not, don't blame me, blame my sister!

Also in the act of sisterly love I will throw you overboard for bad mouthing this chapter!

😂 still trying to decide what to post at the end and this was freaking cute!