Finally They Said It

Chapter 21

Joe's POV

It was almost dark by the time I reached Tina's apartment. I had no idea if she was even home, but I decided to take the risk. My nerves were shot, my fingers twitching as I stood at her doorstep. Am I doing the right thing? Should I give her more time to process everything? What if I'm crossing boundaries here?

But if I didn't do this now, she might think I didn't care. Why are girls so complicated? Letting out a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell and waited. No answer. I pressed it again. Still nothing.

Frustration bubbled inside me. I pulled out my phone to call her, but as soon as I hit dial, the door clicked open.

There she stood.

Her eyes met mine, and I saw exhaustion written all over her face. Her messy hair framed her flushed cheeks, and she was dressed in shorts and a cami that did nothing to hide her perfect figure. She looked tired but still effortlessly stunning. Something flipped inside me.

"Hey," I said, clearing my throat, trying not to let my voice crack.

Her gaze shifted to the oversized bouquet in my hands and then to the gift bag I was holding. She blinked, like she was still processing what was happening.

"I, uh, tried calling," I began, fumbling over my words. "But I guess you missed my calls, so I thought... I'd surprise you?" Smooth, Joe. Real smooth.

"Um..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wasn't expecting you."

Her words felt like a soft punch to my gut. Did she want me here or not? "I just wanted to check on you," I said quickly, thrusting the bouquet toward her like it was some kind of peace offering. "Here."

"Oh... thanks," she said, taking it gingerly, her voice flat.

"Can I come in? That is, if you don't mind," I added hesitantly.

She hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Oh, um... okay." Her tone wasn't exactly welcoming, but I stepped inside anyway.

The tension was thick as she walked to the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase. She didn't seem happy at all, and I felt a pang of regret. This better work, Calvin, I thought grimly.

"Do you want something to drink?" she called from the kitchen, her voice distant.

"No, I'm good." I set the gift bag on the coffee table and followed her. She was standing by the counter, looking unsure and nervous.

I took a deep breath and closed the distance between us. Gently, I reached for her hands. They were warm, yet trembling slightly.

"Tina," I said softly, looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. You mean so much to me."

Her lips trembled, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Joe..."

"I promise I'll never hurt you again," I whispered, pulling her into my arms. "I'm so sorry."

She clung to me, burying her face in my chest as if afraid to let go. Her grip tightened, and I could feel the tension slowly leave her body.

"I don't want to lose you," she mumbled against my shirt. "I'm falling in love with you, Joe."

My heart skipped a beat. She said it. She finally said it.

"I'm already in love with you, Tina," I replied, a grin spreading across my face. "And for the record, I'm pretty sure my feelings are stronger than yours."

She pulled back slightly, her watery eyes meeting mine, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely," I teased. "Oh, and by the way, you look hot."

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the hint of a blush. "Seriously? I've been in bed all day, Joe."

"And I'm sorry for that," I said earnestly. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

Before she could respond, I tilted her chin up with my fingers and leaned in. My lips met hers softly, and the world melted away. Her lips tasted sweet, like chocolate.

"Chocolate, huh?" I teased when we broke apart, smirking at her flushed cheeks.

"Shut up," she muttered, her blush deepening.

We stayed in each other's embrace for a while before moving to the living room. I handed her the gift bag, watching her eyes light up with curiosity.

"You didn't have to get me anything," she said, though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her excitement.

She opened the bag and gasped, her mouth falling open. "Joe! When did you get this? It's not even out yet!"

"One of my cousins works at the publishing house," I explained, grinning. "She managed to sneak me an early copy."

Her eyes scanned the book. A novel she wanted to read and she chuckled. "Interesting. Thank you, Joe. This means so much to me."

"Anything for you," I said, winking.

I was confident she would love the gift I had chosen for her. When Calvin suggested buying her a present, it was the first idea that came to mind. By now, I think I've come to understand her taste pretty well.

She laughed, the sound like music to my ears.

"Oh, speaking of making it up to you," I began, "how about coming with me to a beach party tomorrow? Calvin's in town, so it's kind of a get-together. And, uh, Tamara might be there since she's officially part of the group now."

Her smile faltered. "Tamara?"

"Hey, you trust me, right?" I said quickly, taking her hand. "We can't just stop going places because she'll be there. As long as we're together, nothing else matters."

She stared at me for a long moment before finally nodding. "You're right. Let's do it. We can handle this."

"Pack your bag," I said, grinning. "We're staying overnight."

Her laughter filled the room as we cuddled on the couch, holding onto the promise of no more misunderstandings and the certainty of a love that was only just beginning to blossom.

Tina's POV

The excitement of our summer vacation was off the charts. After Joe left my apartment the previous night, his kisses lingering on my lips, I felt like I was floating on air. My heart brimmed with the promise of a new chapter. A life infused with the warmth of love and hope.

I texted Trisha to let her know the plan, and she immediately asked if she could bring Edam along. While I wasn't entirely thrilled, I agreed after dropping a quick message to Joe, who surprisingly didn't mind. Convincing Veronica to come along took a little effort, but with some persuasion (and guilt-tripping), she finally caved in.

I slipped into my white-and-blue halter neck dress, one I had bought back in Fiji. It was perfect-light, breezy, and elegant. Paired with beach slip-ons and my favorite sun hat, I felt radiant. As I headed downstairs, my duffle bag slung over my shoulder, a smile crept onto my face. This summer was mine.

Joe pulled up just as I stepped out. He got out of the car, his presence magnetic. Before I could say a word, he cupped my waist and planted a soft kiss on my lips. That cologne of his? A weapon. Every time I inhaled it, my body betrayed me, yearning for more of his touch.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice rich and warm.

"And you look like trouble," I teased, eyeing his black shorts and sky-blue cotton shirt, the shades on and the open buttons revealing just enough to make my heart race.

He grinned, loading my bag into the trunk. I opened the passenger door-only to freeze mid-motion.

There she was. Tamara.

Sitting comfortably in the passenger seat, scrolling her phone like she owned the world. Her maroon cami blouse and denim shorts clung to her like they were tailor-made. She looked up briefly, her smile dripping with smugness.

"Oh, didn't realize you were sitting here," I said, forcing a smile. "I'll take the back seat."

She smirked. That smug, irritating smirk. Gotcha, you, her expression seemed to say.

Joe walked over, frowning. "Tamara, take the back seat," he said firmly.

"I'm almost done replying to this text," she replied lazily, making zero effort to move.

My jaw tightened. Game on, Tamara.

"It's okay," I said, faking nonchalance. "I'll sit in the back."

Joe sighed, clearly torn, but he relented. He opened the back door for me and kissed me again. Deeper this time, a silent thank-you. As we drove off, he adjusted the rearview mirror to face me, winking. I blushed despite myself.

Tamara? She stared daggers at me. But when I met her gaze, she quickly turned away. Nice try, Tamara. Not this time.

We picked up Veronica along the way, who didn't miss a beat. "Trouble in paradise already?" she whispered, nodding at Tamara.

"Not a chance," I replied, smiling sweetly at Joe through the mirror. "She's just background noise."

When we arrived at the villa, my excitement bubbled over. Calvin greeted me with a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. "Finally! We meet in person!"

"Likewise!" I laughed, trying to ignore the flicker of tension between him and Tamara as they exchanged hellos.

The villa was jaw-dropping-sprawling with private pools, a jacuzzi, and breathtaking ocean views. Joe and I were assigned a room together, much to Tamara's visible annoyance.

Veronica raised a brow. "Sharing rooms already? Scandalous."

Joe smirked, ushering me inside. As soon as the door closed, he wrapped his arms around me.

Joe's warmth pressed against me from behind, his arms encircling my waist with a possessive yet gentle grip. I barely had time to react before his lips grazed the side of my neck, slow and deliberate, igniting a tingling warmth that spread through my body. His kisses deepened, trailing down my nape with a hunger that made my breath hitch.

His hands moved upward, skimming over my body with tantalizing restraint before cupping my breasts through the thin material of my dress. His touch was confident, teasing, and when his thumbs grazed my already sensitive nipples, a soft gasp escaped my lips. My head tilted back against him instinctively, giving in to the wave of pleasure coursing through me.

I turned in his arms, needing to feel his eyes on me. They burned with a raw intensity, the corners of his lips lifting into a knowing, mischievous grin. His hand slid lower, over the curve of my hips, before settling firmly on my ass. He kneaded it gently at first, then with more purpose, each movement sending jolts of heat straight to my core.

"Joe," I whispered, my voice trembling with both desire and hesitation. His grin widened, almost daring me to stop him.

But when his fingers began to explore further, I caught his hand, holding it still. Our eyes locked, the tension between us thick and electric. He leaned in, his breath brushing my lips as if waiting for permission.

"Joe," I murmured, my voice shaky. "We-someone might walk in."

"I locked the door," he whispered, his hands exploring dangerous territory.

His hand slid firmly to the small of my back, drawing me into him until there was no space left between us. The heat of his body radiated through my skin, and I could feel the undeniable evidence of his arousal pressing against me, sending a shiver down my spine.

His lips crashed into mine with a raw, unrestrained passion, devouring me whole. His tongue explored, teasing, demanding, and I surrendered completely, my knees going weak as my hands gripped his shoulders for balance. The world blurred, and I forgot to breathe, lost in the rhythm of his kiss.

When I instinctively tried to pull away, gasping for air, he tightened his grip, holding me captive in his desire. This time, his kiss was deeper, more intense, as though he was claiming every part of me. The ache between my thighs grew unbearable, and I could feel the damp heat pooling against the lace of my panties.

A soft moan escaped me, unbidden, as the sensations overwhelmed me. My body trembled, teetering on the edge of release from his kiss alone. I didn't want this to end-ever.

But just as I was about to lose myself entirely, a sharp sound broke through the haze, pulling us apart abruptly. My breathing was ragged, my lips swollen, my heart pounding as I stared into his dark, hungry eyes, both of us silently cursing the interruption.

Tamara stood there, feigning surprise. "Oh, oops! Everyone's waiting by the pool," she said, her smile sharp enough to cut glass.

Joe let out an annoyed sigh as she disappeared. I turned to him, raising a brow. "You were saying about locking the door?"

We spent the afternoon at the pool, and while I tried to relax, Tamara's antics were in full swing. She clung to Joe like a barnacle, giggling obnoxiously at his every word. When she climbed onto his back in the water, my patience snapped.

"Wow, Tamara," Trisha said loudly. "Didn't know you were training for the clingiest-friend Olympics. Gold medal for sure."

Veronica snorted. Tamara shot me a glare but quickly plastered on a fake smile.

Joe, sensing the tension, swam over and pulled me into his arms. "Relax," he murmured. "You're the only one I care about."

I wanted to believe him, but jealousy gnawed at me, especially when Tamara whispered something to him later, making him laugh.

That night, as we gathered for dinner, Calvin's toast brought everyone together. Yet, my eyes kept darting to Joe and Tamara. She leaned in close, her lips too near his ear. My appetite vanished.

"Jealousy looks good on you," Veronica teased.

"I'm not jealous," I lied.

"You're stabbing your salad like it owes you money."

I laughed despite myself, but the unease lingered. Later, when Joe went missing, I couldn't shake the suspicion that Tamara had something to do with it. My heart pounded as I searched for him, scenarios spiraling in my head. What if she's trying to win him back? What if he-no, stop. He's yours.

I asked his friends if they'd seen him. Their vague responses made me suspicious. I marched toward our room, my heart pounding.

Tamara's POV

Are they for real? I scanned the room for the two people I least wanted to leave unattended. Everyone's here except those two. The bass from the music thumped in my chest as if mocking my growing frustration. Joe and Tina were nowhere in sight. Why do they want to make it that obvious? My chest tightened. They could've at least stayed within eyesight, so I could monitor them, pretend like I wasn't falling apart.

I scanned the dimly lit villa again, my eyes lingering on every corner. They have to be here somewhere.

"Hey, where are the lovebirds?" I asked, forcing a casual tone that even I didn't believe. I tried to inject humor, but my voice sounded strained. Nobody answered. The others were too caught up in the moment, lost in the music and swirling lights. Trisha was dancing like her life depended on it, vibing with her perfect rich boyfriend. How does she make it look so easy?

Veronica was on the other side of the room, laughing with Joe's new university friends, people I could barely tolerate, let alone get to know. They weren't my type, so I didn't bother faking interest. Calvin and Justin were huddled together, laughing at something, completely carefree. Must be nice, I thought bitterly.

But none of them mattered right now. I was on a mission. Joe and Tina. The image of them sneaking off together burned in my mind. They're probably making out somewhere. My heart twisted, and I could feel my frustration bubbling over.

I quietly moved toward the villa's side exit, determined to hunt them down, but just as I reached the door, Calvin stopped me with a firm hand on my shoulder.

"We need to talk," he said, his voice low and serious. Without waiting for a response, he walked outside toward the beach.

Great, I thought, rolling my eyes. But his tone had left no room for argument. Might as well see what he wants.

The cool night air hit my face, and I gasped softly. It was a relief, like waking up from a suffocating dream. My head felt foggy, probably from all the booze I'd been throwing back since we arrived. I caught sight of Calvin standing near the shoreline, hands in his pockets, staring out at the waves.

He looked... different in the moonlight. Sophisticated. His shirt ruffled slightly in the sea breeze, making him seem untouchable. God, Tamara, don't even go there. He's out of your league, remember?

Pushing the thought aside, I approached him and stood at his side. "Beautiful night, isn't it?" he murmured, still gazing at the ocean.

"Yeah. Peaceful too," I replied, my voice softer than I expected.

"And I don't want you ruining it," he added, his sarcasm sharp enough to cut.

I frowned, taken aback. "I don't get you."

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "Look, Tamara, you begged me to invite you on this trip, knowing everything that's going on between you and Joe." He paused, his tone softening slightly. "But you need to face the truth. Joe isn't into you. He's in love with Tina."

My stomach dropped. "I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, my voice wavering.

He gave me a knowing look, his eyes cutting through my defenses. "Yes, you do. I saw you sneaking around earlier, probably looking for them." He sighed, shaking his head. "You need to let them be. Stop meddling in their private life."

His words hit like a slap. I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. He didn't wait for a response. "Have fun, Tamara. But stay out of their way," he said, turning on his heel and heading back inside.

I stood there, stunned. My knees felt weak, so I sank onto the cool sand. Calvin knew. He knew how I felt about Joe. He's always known. He was part of our group, a silent observer to my one-sided love story.

Hot tears burned my eyes. Why is it always me? No matter how hard I tried, I was always the one left behind, misjudged, and unwanted. The tears spilled over, and I wiped at them furiously, hating how vulnerable I felt.

"Having fun alone?" a voice interrupted.

I quickly wiped my face and forced a smile, even as my heart raced. Justin sauntered over, a bottle of vodka in hand. He plopped down beside me without waiting for an invitation.

"Want some?" he offered, holding out the bottle.

I took a long sip, hoping the burn of alcohol would dull the ache in my chest. It didn't.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his tone surprisingly gentle.

I glanced at him, caught off guard. Justin wasn't exactly known for his sensitivity. He was the life of every party, the self-proclaimed king of romance. Yet here he was, sitting beside me, his usual bravado stripped away.

"I'm fine," I lied, my voice hollow. "Just needed some air."

We sat in silence, the waves lapping at our feet. The vodka bottle passed back and forth between us. Slowly, the tension in my chest eased, replaced by a strange sense of calm.

I rested my head on Justin's shoulder, too tired to care if it was inappropriate. To my surprise, he didn't pull away. Instead, he brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers grazing my cheek.

A spark shot through me, unexpected and electric. I tilted my head to look at him, and our eyes met. His gaze was intense, searching, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

Before I could overthink it, I leaned in and kissed him. A soft, tentative kiss that caught us both off guard. He froze for a heartbeat, then his hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His lips moved against mine, slow and deliberate, as if savoring the moment.

For the first time in forever, I let go of everything-Joe, Tina, Calvin's words-and lost myself in the warmth of Justin's embrace.

When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my skin.

"Tamara," he whispered, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite name.

"Don't ruin this," I murmured, echoing Calvin's earlier words.

Justin chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "I wouldn't dream of it."

For now, the rest of the world didn't matter.

_____________________________

"Love isn't just about the perfect moments; it's about showing up, even when the world feels uncertain, and holding on when it seems easier to let go."