“Hungry?” Archer asks.
I nod.
“Did I say something wrong?” His voice wobbles a little.
I pat his knee. “No.”
“Sure?”
“Positive.”
“What plans are you making right now?”
“None.”
Archer lets out a mock gasp. “Really?”
“I don’t want to think beyond this day, this trip, this moment.”
He knits his brows. “Why?”
“Because then I’ll remember it’s going to end. We have to go back to the villa and pretend we don’t—” I shake my head.
He holds my hand. “I understand.”
Does he? Does he know my feelings for him are tying me up in knots? Does he know every moment I’ve spent with him, just the two of us, has led to me falling for him a little more? Does he know how much I want him? How much I need him?I like you a lotis a poor reflection of my feelings, but what good would it do to say more? I’m too much of a coward to bring our relationship into the open, too afraid of Dad’s reaction.
“Jacob.”
“Yes?”
“For today only, I give you permission not to think beyond the moment. All that matters is you, me, and having fun. Agreed?” His words act like a magnet, pulling the weight off my shoulders.
Dad isn’t here. Archer’s right. I don’t need to think of anything but this day, this trip, this moment. I don’t need to think of anyone else but us. I intend to enjoy every second of our time together. No more brooding or worrying about the future.
“Agreed.”
After lunch, we’re driven to a fishing village, where we have an hour to swim in a natural pool created by a sandbank formation. I hold Archer’s words close to my heart and don’t think of anything beyond the moment as we splash each other, cuddle, and kiss in the warm, salty water.
The last part of our trip is over too soon. We get dried, dressed, and file onto the coach for the long journey back to the hotel where we started.
“Good day?” Archer asks.
“The best.”
He smiles and rests his head on my shoulder. “I’m tired.” He stifles a yawn with his hand.
“Me too.” I wrap my arm around him and stroke him with my fingertips.
“That’s nice. What’s our next trip?”
We booked three on our first day, spread throughout the holiday.
I check the booking details on my phone. “The Red Canyon tour is next and then the volcano.”
“Don’t we get to see the sunset when we visit the volcano?”
“Yes.”
