“It looks like a frickin’ spaceship!” Kamiko whispered enviously.

Neither of them knew how consistently annoying Tiffany could be. They were ready to have fun tonight. No need to disappoint them. I could make this work, if I put my mind to it. Maybe Tiffany would play nice the whole trip and I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

Bitch. Slut. Whore…

I took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to let my demons get to me. Screw them!

“Come on, you guys,” I said confidently to the gang. This was a New Year’s Eve yacht trip after all, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about what awaited us.

The six of us walked up the ramp together, Jake and Christos trailing at the rear.

When we were out of Tiffany’s earshot, Madison leaned into me and whispered in my ear, “Is it just me, or does the perfume Tiff the Quiff is wearing tonight make her smell like mouse farts?”

I belted out laughter so hard, I would’ve fallen off the ramp and into the water, if not for the handrailing. I grabbed it for support.

I saw Tiffany whip around and give the group of us a dirty look.

Romeo, ever perceptive, had overheard Madison’s remark, and leaned against me while he quietly cackled, “I thought Tiffany smelled a bit musty.”

I exchanged a smile with Romeo.

Romeo’s eyes twinkled with good humor. “You know Tiffany has a poochy cooch.”

I was confused. “What, like a pouch?”

“Yes,” he said. “It’s where she hides the mice. Down below. I bet it’s a regular mouse sanctuary in there.”

I broke into fresh laughter.

Kamiko had overheard too, and stifled her own giggles.

“Sam, ignore Tiffany,” Madison encouraged. “Maybe we can knock her over the side when we’re in international waters. No one will ever know.” She grinned archly.

Kamiko pretended to frown. “Wouldn’t that be polluting the environment?”

“I won’t tell, if you won’t,” Romeo winked.

“Thanks, guys,” I said. “I needed that.” I straightened up and climbed the rest of the ramp, surrounded by the bestest friends a girl could have.

I’d been on rowboats and maybe a few canoes. But nothing like this. There were probably another thirty people on board. The cabin on the main deck literally had a living room, dining room, and kitchen with a full-size stainless-steel refrigerator. A narrow flight of steps led to a second story above and a spiral staircase led to another level below. I’d never been on a three-story boat before. Tiffany hadn’t been exaggerating.

“This place is nicer than my parents’ house,” Madison marveled.

“I know, right?” Romeo said. “I think it’s bigger than my parents’ house.”

SAMANTHA

When everyone was on board, two crewmen dressed in fancy black slacks and vests over their white long-sleeve button-down shirts threw some ropes onto the dock. I felt engines rumbling softly beneath my feet as the yacht pulled away from the pier and motored out of the marina.

Christos and Jake knew quite a few of Tiffany’s friends and seemed totally in their element. They were sucked into the center of the crowd in the main cabin.

Within seconds, every woman in the room had turned to focus on Christos. His undeniable beauty drew their attention like a magnet. They couldn’t look away from his mesmerizing presence. Christos seemed oblivious as he chatted with Jake and the other guys. He’d probably grown numb to this kind of attention after years of it.

From afar, I watched this process unfold for several minutes. The women all primped and preened unconsciously, fluffing their hair, adjusting their dresses to maximum effect, shifting their body language to point their pelvises at Christos, and shoving out their chests.

When Christos chuckled at a random joke, flashing his perfect teeth and panty-dropping smile, several women’s eyes goggled and their jaws went slack. When Christos ran his hand through his perfectly mussed hair, other women literally clutched their chests, ready to swoon.

Did they even know they were doing it? Somehow I doubted it. Who wanted to admit that a mere human male, no matter how perfect a specimen he was, could turn them from young women into drooling idiots in heat?

I was torn between embarrassment for all of womankind, and sympathy. Heck, even the men were fawning. Everyone was susceptible. With the exception of Jake, who was almost as handsome as Christos, the other men were smitten, all of them crushing on Christos, in the throes of blatant bromances.

To be fair, I was no more able to resist Christos’ physical allure than anyone else. I was hooked. Addicted. Jealousy swam up my throat and threatened to choke me.

Suddenly, Christos glanced at me and cocked his head, throwing his dimpled smile directly at me. He blew me an air kiss.

“That was for me,” Romeo joked.

I smirked at Romeo. “Keep your air lips off my man, you horny bitch,” I joked, then blew a kiss back to Christos.

He mimed leaning up to catch it before returning to conversation with Jake and some other bitches, I mean, ladies.

I reminded myself that Christos was with me. Not them. Looking at him, at my man, I suddenly felt greedy and desperate and horny and proud, all at the same time. Every woman in the room wanted what I had, but Christos was mine, all mine.

I think I was about to swoon. I shook my head and took a deep breath, trying to clear my head.

“Come on you guys,” Madison said excitedly. “Let’s watch from the bow!” She grabbed my hand while Romeo and Kamiko followed.

“Check it out,” Madison pointed, “that’s the naval base on Coronado island.”

“Can someone tell the captain to drop me off there?” Romeo asked. “I’m thirsty for seamen.”

“Gag!” I said.

“I never gag,” Romeo said confidently.

Me, Madison, and Kamiko exchanged a grimace.

A few minutes later, Tiffany’s yacht had cleared the San Diego Bay and entered open water. It sure was fast for such a big boat. Wind whipped through our hair as we stood on the front of the boat. Romeo and Kamiko had huge grins on their faces.

Romeo raised his arms and pumped his fists. “I’m the queen of the world! Woo hoo!”

“It’s king, Romeo,” Kamiko giggled. “King of the world.”

“Don’t ruin my moment,” Romeo grinned while basking in the sea breeze, arms wide.

The city lights of San Diego shrank into the distance until they were but twinkling pinpricks against the purple velvet sky. To the west, the last light of the sun faded to pink on the horizon. I traded a smile with Madison.

Eventually, the yacht slowed to a stop in calm waters.

“Dinner is served!” Tiffany called from the dining room while someone clanged a hand bell.

The dining room table on the yacht only seated eight, so dinner was served buffet style. Stainless-steel food warmers covered the surface of the table. One of the crewmen in black and white, now wearing an ankle-length white apron, was pulling the lids off.

We all got in line and grabbed plates. While we waited at the back of the crowd, the other crewman, also in an apron, approached us with a platter brimming with gourmet finger-food.

“What is it?” I asked the crewman.

“Seared sea scallops in a tarragon butter sauce,” he said pleasantly.

We all took one while we waited for the buffet. Everyone agreed the scallops were totally yummy. Eventually, Christos and Jake joined us in line. The six of us loaded our plates and climbed up to the top deck together to sit down and eat.

“Wow, this is great food,” Jake said.

“Totally,” Madison said.

Even if Tiffany was an Olympic bitch, she knew how to pick out a great menu. I doubted she cooked any of it herself, but at least she had good taste, and the food was free.

Was it possible that I could enjoy this evening without Tiffany ruining it? I believed it was. I crossed my fingers.