Page 48 of Journey to Love

JACOB: Babe, I’m not going anywhere!

ANYA: lol okay

JACOB: Face it babe, you’re stuck with me??

ANYA: You’re such a goof lol

JACOB: Yes, but I’m your goof, so that makes it okay??

JACOB: But I have to get going, break is over. I’ll call you later!

ANYA: Okay talk to you later!

Talking with Jacob definitely made me feel better, I love that he knows how to make me laugh at the right moment. I decide right then that I will stop second guessing him and give him a chance. I can’t deny that he does make me happy and makes me feel safe. And I can’t wait till he comes out here again. Hopefully the next time it will be a better experience for him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Anya

A week later

"So he’s coming back out today?" Lana asks with a smirk. I smile back, "Yep, and I can’t wait!" I say excitedly.

"What are you guys planning on doing?" she asks.

I shrug, "Not sure yet, we haven’t really nailed down any plans. Probably just hit the beach and wing it from there," I reply.

"Sounds romantic," she says smiling from ear to ear and nudging me.

"Yeah, just a day for us," I add, "and he's staying overnight too," I smirk.

"Ooo la la," Lana teases.

"He’s not sleeping in your room," Nana interjects with a soft but firm voice.

"Yeah, Nana, I've got the air mattress all set up in the spare bedroom. No worries, he won't be bunking in my room tonight," I assure her.

“He better not!” she states giving me a playful but serious look.

Then there's a knock at the door. I start to head over, but my Nana shoots me a playful, knowing look. I raise my hands in surrender, silently promising not to answer it. Instead, Lana jumps up and swings the door open. There stands Jacob, holding three bouquets of flowers: red roses for me, daisies for Nana (her favorite), and lilacs for Lana.

I stand there smiling, a fleeting thought of Paul doing something similar for my mom and me crosses my mind. But I quickly push it away. Jacob has proven time and again that he's nothing like Paul, and I need to stop comparing them. I glance over at Nana, silently asking for permission to go to Jacob. She smiles and nods, giving me the go-ahead.

I roll my eyes playfully, then greet Jacob with a hug. Afterward, I guide him to the spare room. "Just so you know," I say, raising my voice a bit so Nana can hear, "this is your domain for the night. No sneaking into my room, and I won't come barging in here." It's playful and sarcastic, and Jacob just laughs, giving Nana a nod to show he understands.

"You can change here or in the bathroom, whichever you prefer, and then we can head out. I just need to say bye to Lana," I suggest, but before I can leave the room, he pulls me in and kisses me. Initially gentle, the kiss quickly intensifies as if on instinct, and I find myself responding eagerly. I grip his shirt, drawing him closer, while he wraps his arms around my waist tightly, holding me close. Lost in the moment, I start to moan, only to abruptly remember the open door, bringing me back to reality with a laugh.

Jacob responds with a playful grumble, "I don’t know if I can resist with you just a door away." I playfully hit his chest, admitting it's one of my favorite parts of him. Okay, maybe my second favorite. Or third. Well, it's definitely in the top five. Honestly, everything about this man is my favorite.

I nod, "Well, you better, or my grandparents might give me the boot if we don't keep it clean," I quip, knowing Nana is just outside the door. But then, I lean close and whisper in his ear, "Honestly, I'm not sure I can keep my hands off you either," before stepping back and leaving the room.

"I'd never kick you out!" Nana's voice comes from the hallway, making me jump. "Geez, Nana, you need a bell or something!" I joke. She playfully taps my cheek, "Oh, honey, I have no idea what you're talking about," she says, a mischievous glint in her eye, before heading off to her room.

I wave goodbye to Lana and quickly whip up some to-go cups of iced coffee for Jacob and me. Once I finish packing our breakfast into a cooler, Jacob strolls into the kitchen. I pass him his cup of coffee, and we grab the cooler before heading out the door.

As we stroll along the beach, Jacob flashes me a mischievous grin. "So, Anya, what's the story behind this secret spot of yours? Trying to impress me with your insider knowledge?"

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Impress you? Please, I've got way better tricks up my sleeve than showing off a hidden beach."

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