Page 19 of Journey to Love

"What about you?" I ask, genuine curiosity coloring my tone as I turn towards him. His easy smile puts me at ease, and I find myself drawn to his relaxed demeanor. "I'm here with my family," he replies, his voice tinged with fondness. "We decided to take a cruise together for this year’s family reunion."

His words spark a sense of nostalgia within me, and I find myself reminiscing about my past family vacations. Growing up my family took us on a cruise vacation and I remember my brother making friends and I wonder if this is how he felt when he first met them. Unfortunately, he doesn’t talk to them anymore and I wonder if that is how it will be with us. Will we remain friends after the vacation is over? Will we stay friends or will we end up like my brother and fade away?

I shake away my thoughts and focus on Jacob’s words as we continue to chat. The atmosphere between us feels light and effortless as if we've known each other for much longer than just a few moments.

Lana's arrival at the table interrupts our conversation, and I turn to greet her with a smile. "There you two are!" she exclaims, holding out a drink for me. "Here, I got a second one for you because I changed my mind on what I wanted," she explains with a grin. I can't help but laugh at Lana's indecisiveness. "So what, I just get your sloppy seconds?" I tease playfully, nudging her gently with my elbow. She playfully rolls her eyes, "As if you'd ever say no to a free drink," she teases, a smirk playing on her lips. I laugh, knowing Lana has a point. "Touché," I reply with a grin, raising my glass in mock surrender. "You got me there."

As the evening unfolds, Jacob's friends Ben and JC join our group, along with two new faces, Piper and Sam. Despite the growing crowd, our conversation flows effortlessly as we share stories and laughter, each of us eager to learn more about one another.

Jacob's presence is magnetic, drawing me in with his easy charm and genuine personality. With each word he speaks, I find myself hanging on his every word, wanting to know more about him—his passions, his dreams, his quirks. There's something about the way he listens intently to each person's story, his eyes lighting up with genuine interest, that makes me feel comfortable and understood.

As the night wears on and our conversation flows effortlessly, it feels like time has flown by in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, the announcement from the MC jolts us back to reality— the nightclub is closing down for the night.

I instinctively reach for my phone at the same time Jacob does, and in the moment of confusion, our hands accidentally collide. His warm touch sends shivers down my spine, and I feel a rush of electricity course through me. It's a sensation I've never experienced before, a sudden jolt of connection that takes me by surprise.

We lock eyes, a silent understanding passing between us as we both realize the accidental touch. In that moment, everything else fades away, and all I can focus on is the warmth of his hand enveloping mine. It's a feeling unlike anything I've ever felt before, and for the first time in my life, I'm left speechless.

Lost in the moment, it's Lana's gentle nudge that snaps me back to reality, signaling that it's time to leave. With Jacob's hand still intertwined with mine, we both rise from our seats, oblivious to the fact that our hands are still connected.

As Lana casts a knowing glance at our joined hands, a flush of embarrassment washes over me, and I quickly pull my hand away, murmuring a hurried apology along with Jacob. Together, the seven of us make our way out of the nightclub, the cool air from the hallway is a welcome reprieve from the warmth of the moments we shared inside.

Just as we're about to head towards the elevators, Jacob stops me with a gentle touch on my arm. His proximity sends a shiver down my spine, and I can feel his warm breath tickling my lips as he leans in close. "May we hang out again tomorrow night?"

A rush of excitement courses through me at the thought of spending more time with him, and I find myself nodding eagerly in response. "Yeah, I'd like that," I reply softly, my voice barely above a whisper. As we exchange one final lingering glance, anticipation swirls in the air, and I can't help but wonder what tomorrow night will bring.

Before I can fully process what's happening, Jacob leans down and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. His lips linger for a moment, leaving behind a tingling sensation that spreads warmth throughout my body.

"See you later, beautiful," he murmurs, his voice soft and gentle, before pulling away and heading towards a different elevator. Stunned and speechless, I stand there for a moment, my hand still lingering on my cheek where his lips had just touched. Lana's wide-eyed expression and beaming smile catch my attention, and her enthusiastic declaration sends a wave of warmth through me.

"Oh my god, Anya, he's totally crushing on you!" she exclaims, her excitement contagious.

Yeah right? No one wants damaged goods,my inner voice sneers, echoing the insecurities that have plagued me for so long. The thought of opening up to someone new feels daunting, especially when my past experiences have left me feeling broken and unworthy of love.

"Oh no, he couldn't possibly. He was just being nice," I murmur, dismissing Lana's excitement with a wave of self-doubt. It's hard to imagine that someone like Jacob could genuinely be interested in me, especially when my inner demons rear their ugly head reminding me of all my flaws and shortcomings.

As we make our way toward our cabin, I try to push aside the negative thoughts and focus on the present moment. But deep down, the fear of rejection and heartache looms large, making it hard to believe in the possibility of something real with Jacob. It's a constant battle between my inner demons and the flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, Lana could be right.

Chapter Ten

Anya

As I wake up to the bright morning sunlight filtering through the balcony window, I can't help but wince at its intensity. The pounding headache reminds me of my overindulgence from the previous night. Note to self:never mix drinks again.As I groggily shift in bed, my hand instinctively moves to my cheek, where the ghostly sensation of Jacob's kiss lingers.

As Lana emerges from the bathroom, her cheerful demeanor pierces through my thoughts, grounding me back to the present moment. "Oh good, you're awake," she chirps, her voice bright with energy.

I grumble in response, my head still throbbing from last night's festivities. "How are you not hungover?" I mutter, unable to fathom how she manages to look so fresh and lively.

Lana simply shrugs, her grin widening into a teasing smile. "I guess my body handles alcohol better than yours," she quips, her tone playful.

I shake my head in amusement, unable to argue with her logic. With a sigh, I make my way towards the bathroom, eager to wash away the remnants of the night and prepare for the day ahead.

Feeling rejuvenated after my shower, I step out of the bathroom and join Lana in the room. "So, what's on the agenda today?" I inquire, curious about our plans for the day.

Lana's eyes light up with excitement as she responds, "I think we should head to the pool and maybe give the waterslide another try."

A grin spreads across my face at the suggestion, remembering our previous attempts at conquering the waterslide. "Sounds like a plan," I say in agreement.

"Maybe we can invite the group to come with us," Lana suggests, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

---