| MIAMI |

MOBILE STAR

We pull up to the marina and unload onto the cobblestones. A yellow and blue restaurant sits alongside the water. It's crowded with people for mid-day lunch. Dockhands come and carry our luggage to the yacht.

I fall into step between Brooks and Trix.

We follow the dockhands down the first pier, all the way to the very end. Where it dead-ends into the BIGGEST boat *ship* I've ever seen in real life.

Titanic 2.0 I swear.

"Holy shit," I swear low.

"Damn," Trix echoes my disbelief.

It's easily the most beautiful vessel I've ever seen: Three-tier deck, Jacuzzi up front, tan cushions lining the back, two sets of spiral staircases leading from the cockpit to the top. Two jet-skis rest on the bottom edge. Its sleek black windows surround the entire ship, outlined with recessed lighting.

My eyes find the golden script painted across the side. Mobile Star.

"And this is all ours?" Trix squeals?

"The very first guests," Brody says.

"Test subjects," Brooks corrects.

I'm too busy trying to find words to actually speak.

"This is incredible." I look at Brooks.

He almost seems abashed, but reveling in his praise too. I follow his eyes to the bridge. A man is standing near the edge, waving down to us.

Ken.

"I can't believe we get to live here for the next week," I say quickly, nudging Brooks in the ribs. "You did good."

"Come on." Brooks leads the group onto the yacht.

It only takes me a few seconds to find my sea-legs. None of us are strangers to boats or the slight sensation of rocking beneath our feet.

Everyone piles out.

I side-step Brody, Ken, and Brooks. By the looks of it, Ken is giving a brief instruction set and Brooks is doing his best not to pay attention. Finally, Brooks nods and allows Ken to shake his hand for the briefest of seconds. Brody walks Ken towards us and it's too late to hide.

"Emmeline," Ken says, business-like.

"Mr. Brooks," I nod, half-smiling out of habit. I'll never get used to calling him Brooks.

"Hey Mr. Brooks. Thanks so much for this!" Lauren appears at my side, easing the tension.

"Of course, future Mrs. Brooks," Ken laughs.

Clearly we see who the favorite girlfriend is. Then again, it's never been a secret that Brody's relationship with his father far out-strips Brooks's.

"And don't forget. You two are coming over before you fly back. Dinner at the club. Brody knows the details. Ah, I have to take this, Ken says, already pulling out his phone to answer a call.

Ken is already off the boat, no longer even paying attention to the 10 twenty-something's he just handed his yacht over to when he shouts back. "Have fun kids."

Brooks is back at my side, relaxed as ever.

"So, who wants a tour?" He asks.

We all line up to walk through the yacht together. First stop is the main cockpit deck where we boarded. A huge semi-circle lounge wraps around a marble table. Drink coolers are built into the sides of the deck. It opens into a vast sitting room trimmed with glossy wood and gold railings. Complete kitchen. The breakfast bar is piled high with fresh fruit and assorted pastries.

We walk down a half-staircase into a narrow hallway lined with doors. Each stateroom is larger than the next. There's at least six. The air conditioner is blasting cool air inside every room. Brooks tells us to turn around and we walk back through the main cabin and up a set of stairs that winds up to a second sitting room with another bar.

Cigar room vibes.

"Through there is the control room. The bridge where they drive from." Brooks points at the door up front.

Sliding doors open onto another deck, smaller than the one below but still spacious. From there, we take the last steps up to the top tier deck. It's like a rooftop deck that stretches across the entire top level.

From up here, you can see the foredeck of the yacht. A hot tub is actually built into the front of the boat, surrounded by even more sunbed lounges.

"So everyone pick a room," Brooks says once we are back on the bottom level. "Just not the two biggest."

"Yea those are ours," Brody echoes.

The sun beams down upon the yacht. All the cushions are warm to the touch and the wooden decks are hot to walk on. The sky is a brilliant cerulean blue and it could not be a more beautiful day.

"Shall we?" Brooks asks.

"Let's."

I follow Brooks back inside and through the hallway. He steps into a giant bedroom with mirrored closets, a separate bathroom with a tub, and a sprawling bed that back up to huge porthole windows.

We drop our bags on the floor and fall onto the bed.

...

It's almost dinner by the time everyone is settled in. The captain comes down and introduces himself to us (he makes us call him Cap) along with the rest of the staff.  Yes, staff.

Kai and Aki are twin chefs. Jackie and Fae are the two servers. They all wear matching white uniforms.

Dinner is a superb harvest salad with grilled pineapple and seared tuna. The servers continuously bring us (free) drinks. We are legit waited on hand and foot.

Ken is on to something.

After dinner and after a few drinks, it's suddenly dark out. The night snuck up on us and the day of travel is hitting everyone.

Before I even blink it's got to be midnight. The day of sun is already turning Brooks's skin tat golden tan I love so much. I even feel dizzier and light-headed than usual. Not just because of the sun.

It's cold up on the top deck and no amount of tequila is warming me up. I'm glad I remembered a sweatshirt, even if it is faded old tie-dye one.

Yawns start coming. Whit is already passed out on Alex's shoulder. Meg is curled up sideways on the cushion. Nate is playing with her hair. Everyone is coupled up, apart from us. I remind myself we aren't the ones to cozy up on the couch, cuddle with each other, or even stand next to each other for long periods of time. Not in front of other people. I'm used to it by now.

The party at the yacht club has died out and their music finally stopped. A few stragglers walk the docks, but otherwise it's a quiet night.

It must be close to 1 AM, but there's not a phone in sight so I can't be sure. One by one, the couples disappear for the night. Brody and Lauren are the first to leave. Meg and Nate follow suit. Alex scoops a dozing Whit off the lounge and carries her over his shoulder.

I do not relish the hangover she'll have in the morning.

It's just the four of us again.

I keep thinking about that brewery in New York. Same page vibes. I catch Brooks watching me under the moonlight and I feel overwhelmingly satisfied.

I keep shooting him the look, praying that Trix and Travis will just leave and go to bed already, but maybe it's just the alcohol talking. It's not.

"OK kids," Travis says, stretching in front of the railing. "Calling it a night."

"Boo," Trix pouts, eyes fading fast.

"We have a whole week." Travis rolls his eyes. "Plus you're already half asleep."

"Yea, I expect better from you tomorrow," Brooks laughs, throwing a maraschino cherry at Trix from across the table.

Trix smacks it away as she stands up. Her flowy matching linen set is the stuff of boating dreams. Not a single wrinkle on it.

"Night babe," I smile, giggling.

I'm feeling good right now as I drain my last few drops of my fourth tequila sunrise.

"Babe," Trix nods at me. She walks over to me and leans down close. "Be careful up here."

"Be careful down there," I slip in my innuendo loud enough for all to hear.

"Brooks, don't let her fall over," Travis says, laughing.

I watch them descend the spiral stairs and wait until their footsteps fade to cross the deck to Brooks.