Page 20 of Journey to Love

I pause, realizing the challenge of extending the invitation. "We don't even have a way to invite them. It's not like we exchanged phone numbers since we can't use our cell phones on the ship," I point out.

Lana's expression falls for a moment before she brightens up again. "Oh, shit, you're right. Well, who knows? Maybe we'll end up seeing them at the pool," she concludes optimistically.

With a shrug, I nod in agreement. "Yeah, let's keep an eye out for them," I say, trying to remain hopeful. We grab our pool bags and make our way to the pool.I need some relaxation and sun.

As we arrive at the pool, my eyes instinctively scan the area, searching for any sign of Jacob. I'm not sure why I expected him to be here, but a part of me was secretly hoping to run into him again. Our conversation last night left me intrigued, and I find myself eager to get to know him better.

I enjoyed the group dynamic we had last night, but amidst the lively chatter, it was difficult to have a one-on-one conversation with Jacob. Not that I'm complaining—I genuinely enjoyed the company of everyone—but there's something about Jacob that piques my interest in a way that's hard to ignore.

As I settle into a lounge chair by the pool, I try to push aside my thoughts and focus on enjoying the day. But a part of me can't shake the anticipation of seeing Jacob again. I mean we did plan on seeing each other again tonight so maybe we can continue getting to know each other tonight.

"Let's go on the waterslide again!" Lana's excitement is contagious as she yanks me off my lounge chair. I chuckle at her enthusiasm and eagerly follow her to the waterslide, ready for another round of thrills.

As we take turns descending down the twisting slide, the rush of cool water envelops me, sending shivers of excitement down my spine. Each curve and turn propels us forward, the sensation of speed and exhilaration filling me with a sense of freedom.

With each plunge into the refreshing pool below, I can't help but let out a whoop of joy, the laughter and excitement shared between Lana and me making the experience even more exhilarating. As we emerge from the water, breathless and grinning from ear to ear, I'm filled with a sense of pure happiness and gratitude.

These simple yet unforgettable moments of fun and laughter remind me of the importance of cherishing every moment and making the most of each opportunity for joy and adventure.

Jacob

I make my way to the breakfast bar, filling my plate with food while scanning the room in the hopes of spotting Anya. Last night's unexpected impulse to kiss her cheek lingers in my thoughts, a reckless act fueled by an inexplicable attraction to her. She intrigues me like no other girl has before.

As I carry my plate towards the tables, I catch sight of a familiar face, though not the one I was hoping for. Nonetheless, I find myself drawn to Ben and JC, who seem to have just settled down for breakfast.

"Oh geez," I greet them, announcing my presence. They both look up, surprised but pleased to see me. "They’ll just let anyone in here won’t they?” I say sarcastically, drawing eyerolls and playful “whatevers” from Ben and JC.

I take a seat with them, engaging in conversation about our plans for the day. Trying to conceal my true feelings, I casually inquire, "Have you seen the girls at all today?"

Ben grins knowingly, his response hinting at his awareness of my interest in Anya. "No, I haven't seen Anya or Lana today," he replies, and JC shakes his head in agreement. Despite the disappointment of not seeing Anya, I try to maintain a casual demeanor, though deep down, I can't shake the desire to see her again.

"Me and JC are going to the pool after breakfast, do you want to come with us?" Ben asks, breaking into my thoughts. I nod eagerly, unable to resist the prospect of a fun-filled day by the pool. "Yeah, that sounds fun," I reply, a glimmer of hope flickering in my mind. Who knows, maybe I'll see Anya there, I think to myself, a sense of anticipation building within me.

Later, once we are poolside, as JC and Ben engage in conversation beside me, my mind drifts elsewhere. I find myself aimlessly scanning the pool area, a glimmer of hope lingering in the back of my mind that I might catch a glimpse of Anya. But to my disappointment, she's nowhere to be seen.

Why am I so fixated on her? What is it about Anya that has me so intrigued? Sure, she's gorgeous, but there's something more than just her appearance that draws me to her. I just can't put my finger on it yet.

Ben nudges my arm, breaking me from my thoughts, and nods toward the waterslide. With a determined effort, I push away my thoughts about Anya. Right now, I'm here to enjoy the company of my newfound friends and soak up the sun. Even if I don't see Anya during the day, I remind myself, I'll have the chance to see her tonight. With that thought in mind, I set aside my worries and focus on having a good time.

"Have you been on the slide yet?" Ben asks as we approach the entrance of the slide. I shake my head. "No, my family and I were so wrapped up in getting to our cabins and exploring the ship when we first got here that we didn't have time," I reply. "What about you?"

Ben grins. "Nope, I haven't either, but I told myself I would try it today, so here I am," he answers, his excitement evident in his tone. I return his grin, feeling a surge of anticipation.

We finally reach the top of the slide, and Ben eagerly volunteers to go first. I watch as he disappears down the twisting tube, his excited shouts echoing back up to me. Moments later, he emerges from the pool with a triumphant pose, arms raised high.

As soon as Ben exits the pool, it's my turn. Anticipation builds as I wait at the top, eager for the exhilarating rush of the slide. When the staff member signals it's my turn, I push off and feel the adrenaline surge as I plummet down the slide. The rush of water around me and the exhilarating speed leaves me laughing and yelling in excitement.

When I splash into the pool below, Ben greets me with enthusiastic praise for the ride. "Dude, that was freaking awesome!" he declares. I climb out of the pool, exhilarated and grinning from ear to ear. "Hell yeah it was! I'm going again," I reply, already itching for another go.

We continue taking turns racing down the slide, the thrill of the ride keeping us hooked until we realize it's already past 1 p.m. "I'm gonna head back to my cabin, change, and grab some lunch," I announce to Ben and JC as I gather my things. They nod in agreement, “sounds good man” Ben says as he starts packing up his belongings as well.

"Yeah, we should meet up again at the club tonight," JC suggests. I nod in agreement, already looking forward to another night of fun. With a wave to my friends, I make my way to the elevators, eager to rest and recharge before our evening adventures.

Chapter Eleven

Anya

I wake up to the sound of voices drifting in from the hallway outside our cabin. Glancing at the clock, I realize it's mid-afternoon.I must have needed that nap more than I realized.Lana is still fast asleep, so I quietly slip out of bed, careful not to wake her. After a quick visit to the bathroom, I decided to look around for a snack.

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