Sneak Peek Saturday: Bonding Beneath the Stars
Sharing laughter and light!
This festive moment captures the warmth of friendship and togetherness during the holiday season. Stay tuned for next week’s special holiday sneak peek! 🎇✨
Stock image licensed via Envato Elements.
One of the most delightful parts of writing Sapphire Seas and Emerald Tide was exploring the group dynamic between Harper, Aidan, Paige, and Brody. They’ve each embarked on this cruise with their baggage, but their friendships provide laughter, levity, and moments of unexpected vulnerability. Their combined effect showcases their finest and most absurd traits.
I want to give you a glimpse of that playful dynamic in action for this week’s Sneak Peek Saturday. Below is an excerpt from a deleted scene in Sapphire Seas, written from Harper’s perspective. Set during a trivia night hosted by the ever-charming Maude in the dreamy Celestial View lounge, this scene shows how, even under the sparkling night sky, Harper and her friends can’t help but turn a quiet evening into something wildly entertaining.
Deleted Scene: “Star-Crossed Trivia”
(*From Sapphire Seas)
The Celestial View was the place Harper might have found impossibly romantic—if it weren’t for the ridiculous trio she was currently stuck with. Under the domed glass ceiling, stars sparkled overhead, mirrored in the inky black ocean below. Crescent-shaped loungers and softly shifting lights gave the room an ethereal glow, as if they were floating in a dream.
Yet, somehow, Paige and Brody turned this tranquil space into the set of a slapstick comedy.
“Romeo and Juliet!” Brody blurted, shooting his hand up so enthusiastically that he nearly spilled his drink. The question hadn’t even finished leaving Maude’s mouth.
“Yes, Brody,” Harper drawled, her tone laced with dry amusement. “You’ve cracked the Da Vinci Code. Truly, a trivia legend in the making.”
“Don’t be jealous of my intellectual prowess,” Brody shot back, grinning at her from across the table. “Just admit you’re intimidated by the power couple energy over here.”
Beside him, Paige leaned into his side with a smug smile. “You should be,” she added, tossing her golden ponytail over her shoulder with a flourish. “We’ve got this in the bag.”
Harper snorted and turned her attention back to Aidan sitting beside her, casually leaning back in his chair. His green eyes sparkled with quiet amusement, though he’d said little so far, content to let Brody and Paige’s antics play out.
“I don’t know,” Harper said, addressing him with a teasing edge. “Think they’ve got us beat?”
Aidan’s lips curved into a faint smirk. “Not a chance,” he replied, his voice low and confident. “We just have to let them burn themselves out first. Classic rope-a-dope strategy.”
Harper laughed softly, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. With Aidan around, she felt relaxed and could be herself.
Maude clapped her hands, drawing the room’s attention back to her. “Alright, single sailors, let’s keep the love stories flowing! Question two: What star-crossed lovers met their tragic fate aboard a doomed ship in 1912?”
“Oh my God, I’ve got this one!” Paige practically leaped out of her seat, her voice cutting through the gentle hum of the lounge. “Jack and Rose!”
A loud groan escaped Harper before she could stop it. “Paige, that’s Titanic. It’s a movie, not a historical love story!”
“It’s based on real events!” Paige countered, sticking out her tongue. “Hello, I didn’t hear you chiming in with a better answer.”
Brody was quick to defend her, raising his glass in her honor. “Exactly. Points for participation, babe.”
Harper turned to Aidan, shaking her head in exasperation. “We’re doomed.”
He chuckled, leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s fine. Let them sabotage themselves. We’ll swoop in when it counts.”
Harper glanced at him, catching the faint glint of mischief in his eyes, and suddenly, the trivia night felt less like a competition and more like a game just between them. Her lips quirked up in a small smile. “Alright, strategy king. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
This deleted scene captures a lighter moment between the group, highlighting their unique dynamics. Paige and Brody bring the humor and chaos, while Harper and Aidan’s quiet connection simmers in the background, growing stronger with every shared glance and word. These small, human moments breathe life into Sapphire Seas and make the relationships feel real.
If you enjoyed this sneak peek, come back next Saturday for a special holiday gift preview I’ve planned. Trust me—you don’t want to miss it!
Cheers and Happy Holidays
