Sea Breeze Read Online Free Page A

me, and Eric saves us by coming to a last-minute stop before crossing the street. Keeping me close, he’s basically dragging me through the streets of San Juan. His long strides actually require me to jog in order to keep up.
    We pass a local bar playing reggaeton, and I lament our rush. “I wish I could have stayed a couple of days here. I would’ve loved to go dancing.”
    Eric looks back at me and smiles, even as he keeps racing forward. “Next time, right?”
    I’m able to take two breaths before he breaks eye contact to watch where he’s going, and in that moment, my stomach flips again. He juggles his box of cigars, almost dropping them. I hold my hand out and then stuff the small box into my courier bag. I tie the plastic bag I have my shoes in to the strap. “Right.”
    Hand-in-hand, we jog toward the water. My palm starts to sweat, but I keep a firm grip on him so we don’t get separated.
    Finally, the pier comes into view and I slow to a walk. “Go ahead. I’m going to take my time from here. I can see the ship, and I still have thirty minutes left. You go get ready for work.”
    “Okay. Yeah. Sorry.” Eric finally releases my hand, wiping his on the back of his pants while I do the same. We exchange a smile and he pats the top of my hat. “All right. I’ll see you later.” He takes a few steps and then turns back toward me and winks. “If you’re up to it, stop by Allure tonight for a drink, on me.”
    “We’ll see.”
    He smiles, turns, and jogs down to the pier while I decide if I have enough room in my stomach for one last snack before I get back on the ship.

Chapter Five
    B ack on the ship, I head to my room to look for Kim. I find a note saying she’s having dinner with her friends if I want to come join them. I’m still full from all my Puerto Rican treats, so instead I opt for my bathing suit and a swim.
    The pool is as empty as I’ve ever seen it. Only a few parents, watching their kids in the water. It’s about six in the evening, so everyone must be at dinner.
    The ship is still in port, so the wind is minimal as I scoot out of my shorts and step into the pool. The water is warm and I dive to the bottom. Back at the surface, I float on my back and gaze up at the blue sky and white puffy clouds above me. My arms fan out around me and I sigh, content. No worries, no responsibilities. No rushing home. My time is finally mine now. Guilt tightens my chest and a tear forms in the corner of my eye. I dive back under the water to wash it away. I couldn’t stop it, no matter how hard I tried. Nothing I did was ever enough.
    I swim around for a while, trying to clear my head, and stretching my leg muscles. With all the walking today, I’m bound to be sore tomorrow. After about thirty minutes, I step out of the pool and sink into the hot tub. I rest my head on the ledge and my eyes close on their own.
    A while later, an older couple joins me in the steamy water. I smile at them in turn and lean back, taking in the evening sky. Hints of a beautiful sunset are on the horizon. I’ve been soaking for a while now, and my fingertips are all pruned. I smile again at the couple as they exchange a quick kiss, and take my leave. Drying off, I slip back into my shorts. I can’t help flashing back to the moment I shared with Eric. I really wanted him to kiss me, but it’s probably for the best that he didn’t.
    Back in my room, I find Kim lounging on her bed, flipping through a magazine.
    “Hey, where have you been all day?”
    I take a seat on my bed opposite hers. “I went ashore and spent the day in San Juan. It was amazing. What did you do? Did you go ashore?”
    “No. I nursed a horrible hangover until about two in the afternoon. By then, it was too late to consider going. I ended up meeting a couple of my friends for Bloody Marys by the pool, and then we went to dinner.”
    “Did you have fun last night?”
    “We had a blast. You have to come out tonight, Jordan.”
    “What’s on the