J.J. Westbrook stared at the tall, leggy blonde with a killer smile. He didn’t mind that she mistook him for a member of the crew; all he cared about was her name.

Diana Clay.

He moved away from the women to duck behind a group of men blathering on about the bachelor party cruise they were on.

The groom called it his last fling. Funny how some guys thought they deserved one last sexual encounter before marriage. With that attitude, it was one marriage that wouldn’t last. The fool was clueless.

Not his problem, though.

He continued to spy on the luscious blonde and overheard the introductions. Diana had seen the pretty redhead was having a panic attack and jumped in to help.

Hot and nice? He was stunned.

A tap on his shoulder made him jump a foot, and he turned, gasping for breath. The reason for this trip had found him; so much for a few minutes of peace and quiet. Now the chaos would begin.

As the band manager for Hunter Cross, the country singer, this was his last gig with the band and his college roommate. They’d made a great team, but it was time for him to make it on his own. Hunter was well established now, and it was J.J.’s turn to find success.

After the cruise, he’d be off to New York to join the real world, finally putting his MBA to good use.

He’d heard through the grapevine that old man Tolliver was looking for a new V.P. of Marketing at Tolliver Enterprises. That was his dream job, if he could pull it off. And J.J. would do anything to get it. He had an interview scheduled in three weeks, and he planned to spend every spare moment getting ready for his presentation. Nothing and no one would stop him.

“Are you hiding from her or from me?” Hunter flicked his chin in the direction of the women.

“I’m not hiding. I was just getting some air before the mass confusion begins. I don’t know why you agreed to this Valentine’s Cruise. We could be home celebrating and enjoying some down time, but no, you had to go and say yes. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking it would be a great ending to our partnership and working together. I planned a scuba excursion, parasailing, and few other things for our off time.”

“Well, when you put it that way, I guess I can spare the time.”

“How generous of you,” Hunter said, in a condescending tone then clasped his hands, bowed to his friend with a solemn expression on his face and laughed, cuffing him on the back of the head as he straightened.

J.J. rolled his eyes, smoothed his hair back into place, and chuckled as he steered Hunter away from the women. When he was finally introduced to Diana Clay, he didn’t want the superstar between them.

Hunter was the hottest commodity in country music at the moment, and women had a tendency to swarm him. He’d learned a few hard lessons over the past three years while helping to establish his friend’s career. The biggest and most harsh lesson was that women showed no shame using him to get to the icon.

He understood women wanted to be near Hunter, with him, date him, and even try for a one night stand. But what they didn’t know was Hunter didn’t ever do one night stands. Hunter was a genuinely nice guy, loyal to the core, and a trustworthy friend.

“Come on. Let’s go find our rooms then do a sound check. Maybe we’ll even find a couple of pretty ladies to party with. Are you game?” Hunter winked.

“All we’re going to find on this ship is groupies and gold diggers. Sorry, but that’s not my idea of everlasting or undying love.” J.J. turned away, weaving his way through the crowd toward the elevators.

“From the looks of the leggy blonde, you had something in mind. Can’t say I blame you, but she’s not your style. I know her.” Hunter chuckled. “She’s a ball buster and a heartbreaker, trust me.”

“Personal experience?” Damn, the last thing he wanted was an ex of his friends.

“Yes and no. The woman is a friend of my sister. But that redhead sure is cute.” Hunter took another look before following his friend.

“So, you never dated her? The blonde, that is?”

“Nah. Not my type either.”

“Good to know.” They both followed the guy code. No dating exes. No dating a buddy’s sister. And last, but not least, no poaching on a friend’s girl.

Hunter put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you really that anxious to move on?”

“It’s not that, and you know it. It’s time for me to grow up, stop playing around with the band, and get a real job. You’re in a good place, and I’ve enjoyed the ride, but it’s time for me to find my way. I want that job at Tolliver Enterprises. I want the prestige and the travel, and I want to do for them what I did for you.”

“Then stay away from the blonde.” Hunter stuck out a fisted hand. “I get it, really I do, but you have to admit, we make one hell of a team.”

“The best.” J.J. gave him a knuckle bump. “But that’s not the issue. I need to do something with my life.”

Hunter had managed to talk him out of leaving twice before; this time it wouldn’t work. This was it.

As the men made their way to their rooms, they continued to discuss the cruise, the schedule for concerts, and what they would do at each of the ports.

Maybe Hunter was right. They’d end this gig on a high note, going out strong, going out fun, and making memories that would last a lifetime.