New Year, New Us

Trouble in Paradise

The next morning, Marissa woke to the soft sound of waves crashing against the side of the ship. For a moment, she lay still, letting herself savor the peaceful rhythm of the ocean. Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains of her cabin, casting a golden glow across the room. She felt oddly content—lighter than she had in a while, despite everything that had happened with Ethan the day before.

The night’s events played back in her mind: the grand ballroom, the music, dancing with Carly, and her brief but memorable conversation with Liam. A smile tugged at her lips as she recalled his easy charm and warm blue eyes. There had been something refreshingly simple about their interaction—no expectations, no awkward tension, just a friendly exchange. It was a welcome contrast to the emotional mess that was her relationship with Ethan.

Marissa sighed and pushed the thought of Ethan aside. She wasn’t going to let him ruin this trip. She had promised herself that last night, and she intended to keep that promise.

With renewed determination, she climbed out of bed, showered, and changed into a pair of denim shorts and a breezy white blouse. The ship’s daily itinerary had been delivered to her cabin early that morning, and she scanned it as she sipped her coffee. There was a wide array of activities planned for the day—yoga on the upper deck, a cooking class, a trivia contest, and, of course, endless options for lounging by the pool or exploring the ship’s many amenities.

Carly had already texted her:

Carly: Morning, sunshine! Meet me at the pool after breakfast? We need to debrief.

Marissa smiled at the message. Carly never missed an opportunity for girl talk, especially after a night out. She quickly typed back a response.

Marissa: On my way. Give me 20 minutes.

By the time Marissa reached the pool deck, the sun was high in the sky, and the area was already buzzing with activity. Guests lounged on cushioned chairs, their faces shaded by wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, while others splashed in the sparkling blue water. A poolside bar served colorful cocktails and fresh fruit smoothies, and the scent of sunscreen and saltwater filled the air.

Carly waved from a shaded cabana near the edge of the deck, her blonde hair piled into a messy bun and oversized sunglasses perched on her nose. A half-empty mimosa sat on the small table in front of her.

“Finally!” Carly called as Marissa approached. “I was beginning to think you got lost.”

Marissa laughed and slid into the chair opposite her. “It’s a big ship. I’m still figuring it out.”

“Well, you made it, and that’s what counts. Now, spill. How are you feeling after last night? Any regrets?”

“None,” Marissa said firmly. “I actually had a great time. Thanks for convincing me to come to the party.”

“Of course! That’s what I’m here for. And can we talk about that dress? You looked amazing.”

Marissa rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t suppress a grin. “Thanks, but I’m pretty sure you looked better. You always do.”

“Please, we both killed it.” Carly leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Now, what’s the deal with that guy you were talking to? Blond, blue-eyed, total heartthrob. I saw you two chatting.”

Marissa hesitated, surprised by how quickly Carly had picked up on the brief interaction. “It wasn’t a big deal. He just introduced himself—his name’s Liam. We talked for a minute, and that was it.”

“That’s it? You didn’t get his number or anything?”

“No, Carly. It was just a casual conversation.”

Carly groaned in frustration. “Come on, Maris. You’re on a cruise, surrounded by gorgeous men, and you’re single for all intents and purposes. This is the perfect time for a fling.”

Marissa gave her a skeptical look. “I’m not single, Carly. I’m still with Ethan.”

“Barely,” Carly shot back. “When’s the last time he acted like a real boyfriend? Because from where I’m sitting, he’s done nothing but ignore you and make you feel like crap.”

Marissa didn’t have an answer to that. She hated how easily Carly could cut through her defenses, exposing the cracks she didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Look,” Carly continued, her tone softening, “I’m not saying you need to jump into something with Liam or anyone else. But you deserve to be happy, Maris. And if Ethan isn’t going to give you that, maybe it’s time to think about what you really want.”

Marissa stared at her drink, the weight of Carly’s words settling over her. She knew her friend meant well, but it wasn’t that simple. Relationships weren’t something you could just walk away from without a second thought. She had invested years of her life in Ethan. Wasn’t she supposed to fight for that?

Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

“There you are.”

Marissa looked up to see Ethan approaching, his phone in hand and a distracted expression on his face. He was dressed casually in khaki shorts and a navy polo, but his usual polished appearance did little to soften the tension in his posture.

“Hey,” Marissa said, forcing a smile. “I was wondering where you were.”

“Work’s been crazy,” he said, not bothering to sit down. “I had a few calls I couldn’t miss.”

Carly gave him a pointed look but said nothing.

“Anyway,” Ethan continued, glancing at his watch, “I was thinking we could do lunch later. There’s a business seminar I want to check out first.”

Marissa blinked, caught off guard. “A business seminar? On a cruise?”

“Yeah, it’s part of the networking event they’re hosting. Might be a good opportunity to make some connections.”

Marissa felt a wave of frustration rise in her chest. This was supposed to be their vacation—a chance to relax and reconnect. Instead, Ethan was treating it like another work trip.

“Sure,” she said, keeping her voice neutral. “Just let me know when you’re free.”

“Will do.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before walking away, already typing something on his phone.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Carly let out a low whistle. “Wow. That was… something.”

Marissa sighed, rubbing her temples. “Don’t start, Carly.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to. I know what you’re thinking.”

Carly shrugged. “Hey, it’s your life. But for what it’s worth, I stand by what I said earlier. You deserve better.”

Marissa didn’t respond. She wasn’t ready to have that conversation, not yet. Instead, she forced herself to focus on the present—the sun, the pool, the promise of a day filled with possibilities. She wasn’t going to let Ethan’s behavior ruin everything.

“I’m here to have fun,” she said finally. “No more overthinking. Let’s just enjoy the day.”

Carly smiled, raising her glass. “Now that’s the spirit.”

After a few more hours by the pool, Marissa felt more relaxed than she had in weeks. The tension from earlier had faded, replaced by a sense of calm she hadn’t experienced in a while. She and Carly had spent the afternoon sipping cocktails, lounging in the sun, and chatting about everything from work to future travel plans.

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Marissa checked her phone. No new messages from Ethan.

She sighed, pushing the disappointment aside. If he wasn’t going to make an effort, she wasn’t going to wait around for him.

“Ready to grab some dinner?” Carly asked, stretching lazily.

“Yeah. I’m starving.”

“Perfect. There’s a seafood place on the lower deck I’ve been dying to try.”

Together, they gathered their things and made their way toward the restaurant. As they walked, Marissa caught sight of a familiar figure leaning casually against the railing, gazing out at the ocean.

Liam.

He hadn’t noticed her, and for a moment, Marissa considered walking past without saying anything. But then, something Carly had said earlier came back to her: You deserve to be happy.

Before she could second-guess herself, she slowed her pace and called out, “Hey, Liam.”

He turned, his blue eyes lighting up when he saw her. “Marissa. Hey.”

“Enjoying the view?”

“Always,” he said with a grin. “Care to join me?”

Marissa hesitated, glancing at Carly, who gave her an encouraging nod before walking ahead. Taking a deep breath, Marissa stepped forward, letting the ocean breeze wash over her.

Maybe, just maybe, Carly was right.