The man's expensive-looking linen shirt now sported a dark stain across the front.
"No harm done," he said with a warm smile, his voice carrying a slight accent Kane couldn't quite place. "Well, except for our shirts."
He extended a hand. "I'm Robert. Most people call me Bob."
"Name's Kane," he replied, shaking Bob's hand. "Sorry about the mess."
"Don't worry about it. In fact, let me buy you replacement drinks," Bob offered, waving over a server. "What were you having?"
"Whiskey neat and..." Kane gestured to his own fruity disaster.
"The Mermaid's Kiss," the server supplied helpfully.
"One of each, plus a gin and tonic for me."
As the server left, Bob's eyes lingered on Kane with undisguised interest.
"So, first time on the Silver Mermaid?"
"First time on any cruise, actually," Kane admitted, brushing droplets from his new sailboat shirt.
Bob's eyes widened with delight. "Wow, your first cruise ever?
He leaned against the bar, completely unbothered by his stained shirt.
