Page 64 of Ship Happens

“Can I get another water?” Kaitlyn asks when the bartender comes back around. Then she turns her attention back to Owen. “So . . . you just gonna hang out here all night?”

“I was thinking about getting up to pee in a second,” Owen says to her.

Reaching up to muss Owen’s hair, she asks, “Ah, I see. You’re freaking out.”

“I’m not freaking out,” Owen protests, watching the bartender slide Kaitlyn her glass. “Or, I mean, I really don’t know.”

“Hmm . . . well . . . what do you want, Owen?” Kaitlyn asks him.

He tries to answer her. Because he knows exactly what he wants. But he doesn’t say a word.

“Come on.” Kaitlyn stands up, holding her hand out as the music calms down. A lot of the dance floor is vacated, guests deciding to take a break. There is an actual heat to the room thanks to all the activity. “Wanna dance?”

Owen smiles at his best friend, taking her hand. From there, Owen accepts the lead. A childhood spent in cotillion was one of the first things that Owen and Kaitlyn had bonded over, their parents forcing them through the classes. Even if Owen has forgotten most of what he learned during those years, dancing is the one thing he liked enough to keep up with.

Whether it was going to a club night with Hailey and Abigail, or attending dance classes with Jacob to prepare for Kaitlyn’s wedding, dancing gave Owen the chance to feel like everyone else, like he doesn’t have to worry about his body fighting against him.

He holds one of Kaitlyn’s hands, pressing his other to her back to hold her close, her steps following his. More than once, she’s a beat too early or mixes up which foot is which, tripping over Owen’s shoes.

“I’m not sure which Morrison sibling is worse,” he jokes.

“Don’t make fun of me!” Kaitlyn whines as she smiles. “I’m trying!”

“Not hard enough.” He puts his arm around Kaitlyn, spinning her, her dress twirling around her before he pulls her back in, not quite dipping her, but still taking full control of the dance.

“Whoa . . .” Kaitlyn stares at him. “Where was this during my wedding?”

“Jacob’s two hundred and eighty pounds,” Owen reminds her. “I’m hardly able to do that with you.”

“I can’t tell if that was an insult or if you’re just weak.”

“I have arthritis,” Owen says bluntly.

“Right, right.” She nods. “Forgot about that one.”

Owen smiles at Kaitlyn, feeling a swell in his heart at the sound of his best friend’s laughter.

“I’m glad I came on this trip,” he says. Maybe it comes out of nowhere, but it’s the truth.

“Really?” Her eyes light up. “You’re not just saying that?”

“I’m not,” he promises. “Even if this thing could sink at any moment.”

“We’re still docked,” she reminds him. “We’d just evacuate.”

“And be stuck in Alaska,” Owen snorts. “Can you imagine?”

Kaitlyn rolls her eyes, letting her arms fall around Owen’s shoulders as the song switches to something even slower than before. “I’m really glad you said yes. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

“You’re not just saying that?” Owen echoes, only kind of joking.

“Nope!” She shakes her head dramatically. “I swear.”

Over her shoulder, he can see Jacob sitting just a few yards away. Lord knows where Kevin and Abigail have gotten to, but Jacob is still alone, his focus entirely on Owen. Like he’s the only person in this room full of hundreds. Kaitlyn sighs as she rests her head on Owen’s shoulder, continuing to sway back and forth gently, Owen’s hands on her hips, his eyes on Jacob.

The song comes to an end, the dance floor thinning out even further.

“I’m going to go find my wife and pee,” Kaitlyn says, eyeing Owen. “Wanna help me?”