Love Like Theirs

by Sophie Love

  Anita looked confused. “You don’t need to be married to start a family. My parents weren’t.”

  “Me neither,” Dirk piped up from the other side of the room, mid pull-up. “They didn’t marry until they were in their fifties.”

  “And that’s common?” Keira asked.

  Both Romeo and Juliet shrugged.

  “Guess so,” Anita said. “Maybe not common but certainly accepted.”

  “So you’re in no hurry?”

  “Nah,” she said, sounding incredibly un-Juliet-like. “Are you?”

  Keira pondered the question. Was she? She didn’t even know what she wanted anymore. Her mind was scrambled when it came to matters of love.

  “I don’t think so,” she admitted. “So tell me about partnerships then, rather than relationships or marriage or anything like that. Do you find yourself wanting to cozy up with someone to beat the cold?”

  “Sure.” Anita grinned. “My dog. He’s a husky!”

  She turned her cell phone to show Keira an enormous snow-white husky with gorgeous blue eyes. Keira laughed.

  “He’s all I need to keep warm,” Anita added.

  Keira found her attitude extremely refreshing. A young woman with literally no concern about love, marriage, families, or anything of the like.

  “You don’t seem particularly interested in love, if you don’t mind me saying,” Keira told her.

  “Ironic, huh?” Anita replied. “Considering my job.” She gestured to her Juliet robe. “But that’s sort of why. My job is way more important to me.”

  Keira remembered the conversations she’d had with her red-haired server, about his lover and her complete lack of desire for love, her priority and drive being experience, work, life.

  Just then, a voice sounded over a PA system. “Fifteen minutes until curtain.”

  Anita looked apologetically at Keira. “I’d better get in the zone. Are you staying for the play?”

  “I am,” Keira said, folding her notebook up.

  She was looking forward to it so much more now that she’d gotten to know a bit about Juliet.

  “Cool,” Anita said. “Stick around after and we can head to the party together if you want?”

  “I’d love that,” Keira replied, trying not to sound too eager. But Anita seemed like great, fun company and she was craving company right now. Not romantic company, she realized, but just friendship. It occurred to her then that her loneliness was as much about a desire for friends as it was about missing Cristiano.

  She stood and headed back out into the black corridor. The boat was still swaying and she staggered a little, groping in the darkness. She tried to remember the way she’d come when she’d been following the cruise ship staff member, but it was impossible now. She guessed right and was relieved to hear the sound of a chattering crowd from nearby that indicated she was at least heading in the right direction. She turned in the direction she was certain would be the exit back into the theater.

  Suddenly the boat lurched. She reached out to steady herself against what appeared to be a wall, and was surprised when her hands hit something that felt like heavy fabric, before going straight through them. She stumbled forward, losing her footing. She hit the hard ground and felt the air rush out of her. Suddenly, she became very aware of the sensation of eyes upon her. She looked up and discovered she’d fallen straight through the stage curtain and was now lying sprawled on the middle of the stage in front of a bemused-looking handful of cruise passengers. Her cheeks burned immediately.

  She tried to collect herself up to her feet, but the boat kept rocking and she couldn’t find her footing. The small group of people already in their seats waiting for the show to start started to giggle with amusement. Keira realized it was one of those can’t-beat-’em situations and gave up, lying sprawled on her back, succumbing to laughter.

  *

  Keira wasn’t sure why she’d been so reluctant to see the play (other than the obvious romantic subject matter), because it was actually outstanding. Anita was a wonderful actor, as was Dirk, who was almost unrecognizable when fully clothed. It was amazing to Keira that two people she’d met and casually chatted with backstage could possess such astounding talent.

  As the curtain fell on the play, Keira found herself clapping along as rapturously as everyone else. And suddenly she was now really looking forward to her night ahead, spending a bit more time getting to know the pair, and picking their brains about the nuances of romantic life in the Scandinavian and the Nordic regions. She was already beginning to formulate the passage she’d write for this experience in her head, and felt the first twinkles of her creative muse.

  As the audience filed out, Keira collected her things and headed for the theater bar where Anita would be meeting her once she’d changed out of her Juliet attire. She drew up to it, seeing that just a handful of people were lingering around there, most presumably heading off to some other cruise ship activity.

  She took a stool and ordered red wine, then took out her notebook to jot down some notes during the time she had to kill. It was as she was absorbed in her task that she heard someone say her name.

  “Keira?”

  She looked over, expecting it to be Anita, and was surprised to see someone different, though vaguely familiar.

  “You don’t remember me, do you?” the woman said. “I spoke to you in the dining room a few days ago. About your article. I’m here with a bachelorette party.”

  It clicked into place in Keira’s mind. The blond Texan woman with the heart-shaped face who’d produced a picture of Keira and Cristiano.

  “Oh yes, of course,” she said. “How’s it going?”

  The woman seemed shy, a little awkward, Keira thought. Then she remembered how she’d practically bitten her head off for approaching her last time and understood why there was an air of trepidation about her.

  “I wanted to apologize,” the woman told her. “For interrupting you that night. You must get it all the time.”

  Keira shook her head. “Not at all. I’m sorry for being frosty. Let’s start again.” She held her hand out to shake the woman’s. “I’m Keira, and it’s really nice to meet someone who’s read my work.”

  The woman blushed and shook her extended hand. “You could call me a fan,” she said with a shrug.

  “Do you have a name?” Keira joked.

  “Oh, haha. Yes. I’m Steph.” Her blush deepened. “My friends are over there.” She pointed at the rest of the wedding party, who were watching the exchange with rapt attention. “They’re all fans too.”

  “I’m not going to lie,” Keira said. “But this feels really strange!”

  “Are you on a date?” Steph asked, eyeing the spare wine glass. “I can go.”

  Keira shook her head. “Nope. No date. I’m just waiting for Juliet. She’s one of my interviewees for this season’s article.”

  Steph’s eyes widened. “That’s so cool. I’d love to be in one of your articles.”

  Keira gestured to her spare seat. “Well then, why not?” she said. “I’ve got some time to kill, and I’m sure you have some interesting insights into love and romance to give me.”

  She remembered how Nina had specifically asked her to interview locals but they seemed in short supply on a tourist ship. Other than possibly the captain and the crew, she probably wasn’t going to meet a “local” until they arrived in Finland the next morning.

  Steph looked bowled over with enthusiasm at the prospect of being in Keira’s hot seat. “Emma might be a better person to speak to. She’s the bride-to-be, after all.”

  Keira looked over at where Steph was indicating, to a woman amongst the rest of the group. Just then, she saw Anita heading her way.

  “Here’s an idea,” Keira said to Steph. “Why don’t I come and sit with you a little later this evening? I’m a bit busy right now, but I’m planning on going to the live music and dance later. We could all meet up there, and make a night of it.”

  “Really?
” Steph said, her eyes bulging. “You want to hang out with us?”

  Keira couldn’t help but find it strange that she could have such an effect on someone. “I assure you, I’m a completely normal person.” She smiled. “How about after dinner? Eight?”

  “That’s amazing!” Steph exclaimed. She squealed and hurried away to tell the group her news.

  Anita pulled up alongside Keira. “What was that about?” she asked.

  “Oh, I’m sure you get it all the time,” Keira said, flicking her hair jokingly. “Just a fan.”

  Anita laughed.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The moment Keira set foot in the dance hall, she was glad she’d made the effort to come. It was insane, a huge, windowless room, with large, sweeping gold staircases leading down to a central, oval-shaped floor. There was a stage at one end, with a faux stained glass window behind it, chandeliers of dripping glass hanging from the center of the domed ceiling, and bright disco lights that turned the whole space from purple, to blue, to red.

  Keira stood at the top of the steps, gazing down with surprise. It wasn’t particularly to her taste, and was verging on tacky, but it was definitely something unique for her, and she was eager to enjoy her evening. Especially since the band was a proper five-piece jazz band, with a double bassist, drummer, pianist, guitarist, and saxophonist. Noise pulsed up the steps at her, as well as heat coming from the jiving bodies below.

  “Keira?” a voice said.

  She turned and saw Anita. They’d shared a glass of wine together before parting ways to eat and dress for the evening. She looked stunning in a floor-length red silk dress and matching colored flower in her dark hair, which she’d pinned back. Keira had worn the one nice dress she’d brought with her, black, thigh-length, with a deep plunging V neck that bordered on risky. It was the one item of clothing that always made her feel sexy, but she felt very plain in comparison to Anita.

  “You look awesome,” Keira said, kissing Anita on the cheek.

  “I’m on a mission,” Anita told her, wiggling her eyebrows.

  “You are?” Keira asked, curiously.

  “Yup. I’m looking for a man tonight. A fling. It’s well overdue.” She checked her watch, as if it were somehow keeping track of her sexual conquests.

  Keira laughed. Anita reminded her a bit of Bryn, if her sister’s craziness was replaced by calm, emotionless determination.

  “Well, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble looking like that,” Keira told her.

  Anita smirked. “What about you?”

  “Am I looking for a fling?” Keira asked, raising her eyebrows. “No way. I’m strictly celibate at the moment. It’s part of the assignment not to fall in love. At least for two weeks.” She chuckled.

  “That’s stupid,” Anita said, plainly.

  “I’m on a sort of voyage of self-discovery,” Keira told her, her tongue only slightly in her cheek, making note of the boating metaphor she’d accidentally uttered. “I’m trying not to rebound.”

  “But why?” Anita asked, looking confused. “Rebounds are the whole point of ending relationships. Aren’t they?”

  “Don’t say that,” Keira chuckled in response. “I don’t exactly have a choice. It’s part of the job. And I can go without a man for two weeks.” On second thought, she added, “I hope.”

  “Are you really telling me you never lie?” Anita asked. “No one at your magazine will know if you have a one-night stand if you don’t tell them.”

  She was right, Keira admitted to herself, but she wasn’t good at lying. Besides, she wanted to challenge herself. It wasn’t just Nina and Elliot who were steering her behavior, but herself, her own desire not to damage her heart any further.

  They heard noise coming from behind them then and both turned to see the bachelorette party arrive. Keira saw Steph among the group and waved. Steph directed the other women over.

  “Hi.” Keira smiled. “You guys look great. I can’t wait to pick all your brains.”

  Steph looked thrilled. “This is Emma,” she said, introducing the bride-to-be. “And that’s Kate, Johanna, Nala and Unice.” She pointed to each woman as she said their names, and Keira made a mental note to remember while quite confident that she wouldn’t.

  “Shall we head down to the dance floor?” Keira asked the group.

  “The bar first,” Anita interrupted. “I need a cocktail. Or two.”

  Everyone laughed, and they went down the sweeping gold staircase, descending into the warmth, noise, and bright lights of the dance hall. The bar was crowded.

  “I’ve got this, ladies,” Anita said. “Mojitos all round?”

  The girls of the bachelorette party nodded with excitement and watched as the lithe Anita wove through the crowds, declaring herself to be “Juliet” as she went. Most people must have recognized her from the afternoon matinee performances because they all moved aside.

  “Have you ever used your fame to get to the front of a line?” Steph asked Keira.

  “I’m not famous,” Keira replied. “And even if I was, I’d never do that! I don’t have the guts.”

  “You should,” Emma piped up. She had the same accent as Steph, like a southern belle. “It’s like having a superpower and choosing not to use it.”

  Keira laughed, but she couldn’t share their sentiments. She was nowhere near well known enough to pull the “don’t you know who I am?” card, and besides, she hated those self-entitled types. Becoming one was definitely not on her list of things to do.

  It didn’t take long for Anita to get to the front of the bar, and once there she was recognized by the barman, who ignored all the others who’d been waiting and went straight to her. They watched him lean forward and her speak in his ear, then he shook his head as if rejecting her order, turned to the fridge behind him, and pulled out an oversized bottle of champagne. Keira’s eyes widened.

  “That’s not for us, is it?” she exclaimed.

  Emma started clapping. “I can already tell this is going to be the best night of my life!”

  Keira was a little reticent, however. She didn’t want to get too drunk again, like she had the night she’d thrown the drink at Rob. Besides, she was working and she had to remain professional.

  Anita made it back with the huge bottle in one hand and flutes in the other. She cheered loudly.

  “Did you get that for free?” Keira asked, her eyes wide.

  Anita nodded. “Yeah, that’s Danny. I’ve worked on a ship with him before. We have a thing going.” She winked, then handed a glass to each of the women and, without missing a beat, popped the cork of the champagne bottle. Everyone cheered.

  Keira watched her own flute fill up with the enticing bubbly liquid. Free alcohol would be even harder to resist!

  They found themselves a table at the edge of the dance floor, and then some of the girls headed off, Anita amongst them, to dance to the live jazz music. Keira stayed behind with Emma and her trusty notebook.

  “I won’t keep you for too long,” Keira told her. “I know you’ll want to be dancing.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Emma said. “I’m going to be in a Romance Guru article. This is the best bachelorette party ever!”

  Keira smiled, touched that her articles could mean so much to someone. “Why don’t you start by telling me about your fiancé?” she asked.

  Emma smiled and sunk her chin onto her fist. “Nate. Oh, he’s just wonderful.”

  “How did you meet?”

  “Through a friend. I’d tried all the dating apps, but at the end of the day it just works better when there’s some kind of actual link there, you know? It’s like they’ve already gone through one vetting process.” She laughed.

  Keira wrote down her words. “That makes sense,” she admitted. “So how long did it take before you knew you wanted to marry him?”

  “It was pretty much instant,” Emma said. “Love at first sight.” She sighed dreamily.

  Keira had long ago given up believing in l
ove at first sight, but she wrote down Emma’s words nonetheless. Who was she to challenge her opinion anyway? Just because she’d been jaded by heartache didn’t mean everyone had.

  “Was the feeling mutual?” Keira asked.

  Emma barked out a laugh then. “Absolutely not. He thought I was irritating. It was hard work convincing him I was worthy of his time.”

  “Oh? And how did you achieve that?”

  “I just hung around like a bad smell,” Emma said, chuckling. “I figured if I was just there I’d become familiar. It also meant I could block other women from getting at him. He’s very attractive so I have to beat them off sometimes.”

  Keira recalled the stress that had come with being Cristiano’s partner. He was so good-looking that women fell over themselves swooning over him, and it meant Keira had been in a perpetual state of insecurity. Every woman was a potential competitor. It had been a suffocating mind-set to inhabit.

  “Is he on his bachelor party as well?” Keira asked.

  Emma nodded. “Yes. And I know what you’re thinking. Who’s keeping an eye on him? Well, I have a best male friend who’s gone along as my spy. We made a pact that he would tell me everything that happened. I can’t go into marriage without complete trust.”

  Keira thought that there was a bit of contradiction there. She was spying on her partner in order to trust him? Didn’t make too much sense to her.

  “Well, Emma, thanks for your insight,” Keira said. “Shall we go dance now?”

  Emma nodded, and they headed off to join the others on the dance floor. The music was awesome, and thanks to the small glass of champagne Keira had been sipping slowly, the bubbles had made her feel looser and freer. It felt great to let her hair down, and not with a guy but with a group of fun-loving women.

  No sooner had she thought the words than a guy wove through the crowd toward the group. He made a beeline straight for Keira, touching her bare arm lightly.

  “You’re the prettiest girl in here,” he said.