Page 8 of Bumping into You
Eating breakfast at the hotel’s buffet, I can’t help but think this cruise could be a turning point for me. Since my mam’s passing, I haven’t felt up to doing much. It’s been mostly work and then staring at the walls of my childhood home. How was I supposed to figure out what to do next? I hadn’t prepared myself enough for her passing. Even with all her treatments, it was still too sudden. I wanted—no, needed—more time with her. Without her, I’d been feeling so lost.
Lately, though, I’ve been forcing myself to be more like me again. The happy-go-lucky lad who is always up for acraictime and a fun adventure. This cruise is just the thing I need to enjoy some time away from home and live a little, while supporting my friend as he marries the woman of his dreams.
An image of the fair lass from the valet line crosses through my mind and I shake my head. No denying she was beautiful. That encounter is already bringing a smile to my mind.
I finish the last bite of my breakfast when Greg walks in.
“Hey, mate!” I stand and clasp Greg in a hug.
“Hi, man, I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Where’s the infamous Holly?”
“We just ran into my sister Gwen,” Greg replies. “Holly is with her going over some last-minute things before Gwen heads out to the ship to check in with the wedding coordinator onboard. Holly will be over in a few.”
“I can’t wait to meet her.”
“You’re going to love her, but listen.” Greg sits down and leans closer. “While it’s just the two of us, I’ve actually been thinking and was hoping you could help me with something.”
“I’m listening,” I lean in a bit closer because Greg is all but whispering.
“I know you haven’t met her yet, but Gwen could use some of your energy in her life right now. She’s had a rough past few months, a bad breakup and whatnot, and has been working herself to the bone. And she’s been helping us plan the wedding. She’s supposed to let the cruise’s wedding planner take over so she can enjoy herself. But if I know my sister, that’s not going to happen. Anyway, Holly is worried that Gwen will be all work and no play on the cruise. So, I was thinking you could help with that.”
“How am I to help with this, exactly?” I ask, not quite sure what he’s asking of me.
“Well, you know, spend time with her, become friends and let your Niall energy rub off on her. Help bring her spunky side out again, and let her actually have some fun on this cruise. We don’t want our wedding to be her only focus. We want this cruise to be more about having some friends together for a fun vacation,” Greg finishes, sitting back in his chair.
“And you think me spending time with Gwen will help?”
“Yeah, back in college, you were the life of the party, getting us to do all sorts of fun things we’d never have done if we hadn’t met you.”
It’s been about three years since I’ve seen Greg in person. He knows about my mam’s passing, but he doesn’t know that since then, I haven’t been the same Sully he remembers. Sure, I still go out and have a bit ofcraic, but it feels shallow and pointless. I’m not sure that I would bring that “Sully energy” Greg is talking about. “I don’t know about this, Greg.”
“Come on, man! I really need your help. Gwen won’t listen toany of us, and with the wedding days away, she will only tell me not to worry about anything, that everything is fine, and for me to just focus on Holly.” Greg rolls his eyes in frustration at his sister.
“Well, she sounds interesting. . . .” I say.
“She’s a super fun person, and if she wasn’t in this funk, I think you two would really hit it off. But obviously, she’s my sister, so, like, keep it PG, please.” Greg gives me his best big-brother warning glare.
I laugh at his expression. “I’m sure I can handle that.”
“So you’ll do it?”
I have been wanting to feel like myself again. And making sure someone else is having fun is a good way to make sure I live a little too. Plus, my mam always told me focusing on helping others is the best way to heal your soul. Maybe this could be good for me. “I’ll give it a lash.”
“Great!”
“But no promises. I don’t know anything about your sister,” I add.
“Thank you so much, Sully!” A wide smile spreads across Greg’s face. “Oh, and remember, don’t tell Gwen I suggested it though.” He motions toward the breakfast buffet. “I’m going to grab a bite.”
As he fills up his plate, a woman joins him and gives him a kiss on the cheek. It must be Holly.
They both come back to my table, and I stand to greet Holly, giving her a big hug. “You must be the beautiful Holly that Greg won’t shut up about.”
“Aww you’re so sweet,” says Holly.
“Look at the glowing bride-to-be!” I say. “You got a good one, Greg.”
