the women gossip about the men

[NOTE: This chapter happens in parallel with Phil's story.]

As the conversations continued, Staci guided the group toward finding some towels and cushions so they could all get comfortable on the deck. There was plenty of room for everyone to spread out, and the day couldn't have been more perfect.

"So Mel," Staci said, a sing-song cadence in her voice. "I couldn't help but notice you and Karl getting a little cozy in the limo." She saw Melanie blush in response. "What's going on there, do you think?"

Melanie laughed, averting her eyes, trying to play it cool. "That limo was like a strange portal into another dimension. I'm sure Karl's a nice guy. Just because you’re getting married doesn't mean anything for the rest of us." She busied herself spreading out her towel.

Staci raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh. A 'nice guy' who you were practically sitting on top of by the end of the ride."

Melanie laughed it off. "Besides, don't forget, I have a boyfriend back home." Her expression dropped. "William."

"Ugh, William." Staci made a face. "Remind me again why you don't just leave him?"

Melanie sighed. "Mostly because when he feels like having fun in bed, we have a lot of fun in bed. It's just ..." She trailed off, not quite able to mount a convincing defense. Changing the subject, she turned to Emily. "Hey Em, mind if I borrow some of that sunscreen?"

"Sure, here you go." Emily tossed her the bottle.

Melanie caught it and started lotioning up her legs. "Anyway, enough about my love life. What about you, Emily? I saw some sparks flying with you and Arthur."

Emily blushed even deeper than Melanie had. "What? No, I don't know what you're talking about ..."

"Come on, girl!" Alicia chimed in. "Look, what happens on the boat can stay on the boat. Or in the limo. Or whatever."

Emily continued applying sunscreen, trying to avoid eye contact as she spoke. "I mean, sure, Arthur seems really nice. And we did sort of connect in the limo. But I don't know ..." She trailed off shyly.

Alicia smirked. "Maybe Mel should hook up with Arthur, since you two look like you could already be related."

"Ew, weird." Melanie rolled over onto her front. "We're both pale, have freckles, wear glasses -- we might be cosmically connected, but only to look out for one another. Which is why I want to know if Emily is enjoying herself."

Melanie scrunched up her nose. "Nah, not my type. He's all yours, Em."

Emily finished lotioning her arms and held out the bottle. "Here Alicia, want me to do your back?"

"Oh yeah, thanks." Alicia turned around so Emily could rub the sunscreen into her bronzed skin.

As she massaged Alicia's shoulders, Emily finally admitted, "Okay, yes, I do think Arthur is really cute. And sweet. Being next to him in the limo, talking and laughing, just felt so ... good." She sighed wistfully.

"Ooh girl, you've got it bad!" Alicia teased. She glanced over at Taylor. "What about you, Tay? I saw you and Rick getting pretty handsy with each other."

Taylor shrugged nonchalantly as she adjusted her bikini top. "Rick's fun, but he's married. Hooking up with him would be totally on brand for me, but probably not the best idea for him." She smirked mischievously.

Emily finished rubbing sunscreen on Alicia's back and handed Taylor the bottle. "Mind getting my back too while you're at it?"

"Sure thing, babe." Taylor squirted some lotion into her palm and began massaging it into Emily's golden skin.

Staci grabbed her own bottle of tanning oil. "Tay, you need some of this? The sun is no joke out here on the water."

"Definitely, thanks Stace." Taylor turned so Staci could oil her up.

As Staci's hands glided over Taylor's body, Melanie turned her attention to Abbie, who had been quietly taking everything in. "What about you, Abbie? You're the newest to the group. What's your take on all this?"

Abbie had rolled her t-shirt up to expose her midriff, trying to soak up as much sun as possible without a proper swimsuit. Her panties, while functionally the same as a bikini bottom, somehow felt more intimate and sensual. Still, she was completely at ease in her own skin.

She took the sunscreen Staci offered and began applying it to her legs and stomach. "Honestly?" Abbie replied as she rubbed the lotion onto her freckled skin. "I think this whole weekend is about connection. New beginnings. If people are finding a spark with each other, why should anyone deny that? Life's too short not to explore what makes you happy."

The other women nodded in agreement as they continued basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun. A peaceful silence settled over the group, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the hull and distant cries of seagulls.