[Day 4, Dec. 23 – The Ophelia Cruise Ship]
Octavia
The pang of disappointment over Dave’s disappearance still lingered in my chest as I made my way toward the loungers where Lila and Craig were relaxing, both looking utterly at ease under the soft glow of the deck’s string lights.
Lila spotted me first, her sequined dress catching the light as she propped herself up on her elbows.
“There you are! Did you ever find Dave?”
I hesitated for a moment, the memory of what had happened in the pool flashing through my mind.
My cheeks warmed, but I nodded.
“Yeah, I ran into him.”
Her eyebrow quirked at my tone, but before she could pry, the conversation shifted.
“So, any luck with authors yet?” Craig asked, running a hand through his damp hair.
I sighed, sitting on the edge of the lounge
