I was still on a high from the hike and the sex when Kyle announced we had to get ready for the boat ride.

“Are you sure we have to go?” I rolled onto my side, keeping the sheet close to me.

“Yes. Trust me. I’d rather stay here too.”

“I want to go, but all this sex is only going to make it harder to face your family.”

“Why?” He rolled toward me. “They already think we’re doing this.”

“It’s still different.”

“It makes it easier.” He left tiny kisses on my arm.

“All right, if we’re going I need to get up.”

“Ok, do it.”

I tried to get up, but he didn’t loosen his hold.

“Kyle.”

“You did it again.”

“Did what?”

“Said my name in that way. I’d have thought you’d have had your fill already.”

“I have.” I slipped out of bed. “At least I should have. No more sex right now. We have to get moving.”

“I love that you said right now. That means they’ll be more later.” He arched an eyebrow.

“If you’re good.” I picked out a dress and headed into the bathroom before he could complain about me changing in private again. A girl needed time to get ready.

---

I walked as slowly as humanly possible as we neared the dock. I rationalized that every minute might give me more courage. The rain had stopped sometime while we were in the room, making it a pleasant evening for a boat ride if I could only handle his family.

“Hey, nice of you two to show your faces.” Dana grinned as we walked over.

I waved. “Hey, we were out for a hike all day.”

“All day, huh?” She arched an eyebrow. “I hope you didn’t get caught in the rain.”

“Most of the day,” Kyle wrapped his arm around my waist. His touch brought back images I didn't need to be seeing with his family around. “We enjoyed ourselves despite the rain.”

“Hello!” Kyle's grandma walked over dragging her husband with her. “Isn’t it nice how the weather cooperated with us tonight?”

“Absolutely.” Kyle replied with far too much enthusiasm. He might as well have been wearing an ‘I got laid’ sign around his neck.

“Glad to hear it.” His grandmother touched my arm gently. “How about we go ahead and board. Dana, why don't you come too? The men can wait for the others.”

“Sounds great, Grandma.” Dana smiled.

Kyle kissed me on the cheek, and I followed the other women on board the large boat.

“It's nice to have another woman here.” His grandma walked around to the front of the boat.

“It's great to be here.” I forced away all thoughts of my alone time with Kyle. It was only an hour and a half boat ride. I could handle it.

His grandma watched me with a smile on her face. “Kyle seems happier than I've ever seen him.”

If she only knew the truth—it was all probably post sex glow. I nodded and smiled politely.

She leaned in. “Have you discussed the ring yet?”

“The ring?” I coughed. How serious did his family think we were?

“I'm sure she's going to finish school first.” Dana gave me a reassuring smile. “How many years do you have left?

“Three.” I wasn’t planning on rushing my college years away. I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, but that was the point of college, wasn’t it? Like everything else, I’d figure it out eventually.

His grandmother shook her head. “Well, they can't wait that long.”

My head spun. Clearly Kyle and I weren't getting engaged, but it still stressed me out. Plus how was Kyle going to let his family down with the truth? At least I wouldn’t be there for it. I craned my neck to look for Kyle on the dock bellow. So much for not getting separated.

“Would you like some wine?” Dana asked, once again saving me from an uncomfortable situation.

“That would be great.” I smiled. “Is the bar inside?”

“Yes.” Dana nodded. “Grandma, why don’t you take a seat? We’ll bring some back for you.”

“Sounds perfect.” His grandmother sat down, and I followed Dana inside.

“Thanks.” I glanced over my shoulder to make sure we were really alone.

“No problem. I know how annoying that wedding talk can be.”

“Do you mind if I ask you something?” I didn’t know Dana well, but she didn’t seem like the type to mind a few semi-personal questions. She had asked about my sex life within a few hours of meeting me after all.

“I guess that depends on what you’re asking.” She held open the door.

“Why is your family so obsessed with everyone getting married?” I certainly couldn’t figure it out. I’d heard about people pressuring girls to get married young, but Kyle? He was a twenty-year-old guy. He hadn’t even hit his prime.

She laughed. “Blunt.”

“It’s starting to feel like a running theme.”

“I wish I had an answer for you.” She clasped her hands together. “I suppose it’s their way of trying to look out for us.”

“Is it just your grandparents?”

She shook her head. “My parents aren’t easy on the subject either.”

“Where are they?” I’d been wondering about them since I met Dana the night before. Had it really been one day? It felt like forever ago.

“They’re in Europe right now. Business stuff.” She was completely unanimated discussing them, as though she were talking about acquaintances, not parents missing the family reunion trip.

“Oh ok.” I didn’t ask more. I didn’t know if it was the same business as Kyle’s dad or not, but it didn’t really matter. None of it really did, and I should have probably stopped asking questions. I was too curious by nature for my own good.

Dana nodded toward the bar. “Is Chardonnay okay? It’s my grandmother’s favorite so she always expects me to drink it.”

“Your grandmother dictates what you drink?”

“Don’t ask. It has to do with avoiding red wine since it stains your teeth.” She rolled her eyes.

I dropped it. Had Dana been my friend and not Kyle’s cousin maybe I would have pushed it. “Chardonnay sounds fine,” I said belatedly. I knew drinking around his family wasn’t the best idea, but I needed to do something about my nerves.

“Great, you’re easy.” She walked over to the bar.

“Found you,” Kyle whispered in my ear from behind me.

“I didn’t know you were looking for me.” I couldn’t deny the butterflies fluttering in my stomach every time he came near.

“I was going to see if you wanted something to drink.”

“Dana’s got that covered.” I pointed to where she waited at the bar.

“I see she saved you from my grandma.”

“She’s been very helpful.” I slipped out of Kyle’s embrace as I saw Dana head toward us. I retrieved my glass, careful to avoid making eye contact with the bartender for fear of getting the ID question. I had another two years before I’d be able to buy my own drinks. “Thanks.”

Kyle groaned. “Jade doesn’t have to drink that if she doesn’t want to.”

“I have no problem with Chardonnay.” I sipped the chilled white wine.

“Ok, just letting you know.”

“Are you getting anything?” I asked Kyle.

“I’m okay for now.” He took my hand. “Ready to go back out?”

“As long as you promise to keep me away from your grandmother and all her engagement ring talk.”

“She didn’t.” He looked me in the eyes.

“She did.” I sipped my wine.

“Maybe I should get a drink after all.”

“Why? I’m the one she was questioning.”

“But I bet I’m next.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Go get something then.” I assumed he had a fake or something.

“Already taken care of.” Dana handed off a glass to Kyle. “No complaints about what’s in it.”

He laughed. “You saved me some time so no complaints.” He took a sip of his wine.

“Shall we?” Dana nodded at the door. She was still holding two glasses.

“Absolutely.” I pushed open the door, and we walked back onto the deck.

---

I’d never spent so much time on a boat before, but it was beautiful. I spent nearly the entire ride gazing out at the clear sky and the sun reflecting off the calm water.

“Sometimes I think living on the water is the way to go.” Kyle stood next to me against the rail.

“As in living on a house boat?”

“Or any boat. You’d never have to stay in the same place long. You could be someplace new every day.”

“If you decide to spend a semester at sea make sure to invite me.” I’d finished off two entire glasses of wine. That was the problem with white wine. I drank it too fast.

“Is that a promise?” He watched me far more seriously than he usually did.

“I’m not sure.” I turned back to look out at the water. I didn’t want to read into things, but was there something serious beneath the joke?

“When you decide let me know.”

“I’ll let you know if you actually decide to go.” I gripped the rail with my hand. There was a chill in the air that made me wish I’d brought a sweater with me.

He covered my hand with his own. “Are you holding up okay? My family isn’t freaking you out too much?”

“Aside from the ring conversation, we’re good.”

“I’m ready to go back to the room.”

“Thinking more sordid thoughts already?” I tore my eyes from the water. Kyle was even easier on the eyes.

He smiled. “Would you mind if I was?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Good.” He brushed his lips against mine.

“Ahem.” The sound of throat clearing stopped us both in our tracks.