The Moment

Chapter 22

Joe's POV

My phone beeped, and my heart started drumming. My pulse quickened as I reached for it, already knowing what the message would say. If Tina asked where I was, the boys were supposed to alert me immediately.

It was from Noah.

"She's on her way to the bedroom."

I sucked in a sharp breath. This was it. I had planned every detail, rehearsed every moment in my head, yet now that it was happening, I felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness.

With quick, practiced movements, I lit the candles that lined the poolside, their soft golden glow flickering against the night breeze. I had carefully scattered rose petals from the door to the pool, weaving a path of delicate beauty, with tea light candles glimmering between them. Every detail was in place.

I barely had a moment to step back before I heard the door open and close softly. My heart pounded.

Peeking through the blinds, I saw her.

Tina stood at the doorway, her hands covering her mouth, eyes wide with wonder. Her gaze traveled across the room, taking in the petals, the candlelight, the sheer romance of it all. She looked... breathtaking. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back, the soft glow of the lights making her skin look like honeyed silk.

She took a hesitant step forward, her bare feet touching the trail of petals. A slow smile spread across her lips, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

God, she was beautiful.

As she approached the deck, I reached for the remote and pressed play. Her favorite song floated through the air-soft, melodic, intimate.

She turned toward the pool, looking for me.

"Joe?" Her voice was laced with wonder and curiosity.

I stepped from behind the sliding door and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flush against my chest.

She gasped, her breath hitching as I moved her hair aside, pressing a soft, lingering kiss on her nape. Her skin was warm, her scent intoxicating-a mix of vanilla and something uniquely her.

She turned in my arms, her face tilted up to meet mine. "What is all this about?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

I cupped her face, my thumb brushing over her cheek. "Why? Don't you like it?"

"I do," she admitted, her gaze flickering between my eyes and lips. "It's just... no one has ever done something like this for me before."

I tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. "That's because I'm the only one who loves you this much."

Her lips parted slightly, and before she could say anything, I captured them in a soft, tender kiss. She melted into me, her hands gripping my shirt as if afraid to let go.

When she pulled back, her eyes shimmered with tears. "I love you too, Joe," she finally whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Those three words. I love you too. Felt like a slow explosion in my chest. I had waited, hoped, and tonight, I finally heard them. And I knew she meant them. I could feel it.

I wiped away her tears with my thumb. "I promise to love you today, tomorrow, and forever."

She smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek, and then she kissed me. Deeply, desperately. It was a kiss filled with passion, a kiss that promised forever. I wrapped my arms around her tighter, pressing her against me as if I could somehow merge our souls into one.

When we finally pulled away, both breathless, I whispered against her lips, "Go inside the bedroom. There's a surprise waiting for you."

She looked at me with wide, curious eyes. "A surprise?"

I smirked. "Don't disappoint me."

She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her eyes full of anticipation. Then, without another word, she turned and disappeared into the room.

As soon as she was gone, my heart pounded harder. Would she like it? Would she feel shy? Would she feel the same longing I did?

Sitting on the outdoor sofa, I nervously shook my legs. I didn't have to wait long.

When she stepped back outside, my breath caught in my throat.

There she was, wrapped in a towel, looking both shy and incredibly seductive. I could see her hesitation, the way she fidgeted, her fingers gripping the edges of the towel.

I stood up, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps.

"Take it off," I whispered, my voice husky with desire.

Her gaze flickered to mine, her cheeks flushing deep red.

"Tina," I coaxed, lifting her chin with my fingers, forcing her to look at me.

Hesitantly, she let the towel slip from her shoulders.

My breath hitched.

She stood before me in the red two-piece bikini I had chosen for her. The delicate fabric hugged every curve, every dip of her body, making my chest tighten with raw need.

Her arms moved instinctively to cover herself, but I caught her wrists gently, shaking my head. "Don't," I murmured. "Let me look at you."

Her breath shuddered, her lips parting slightly.

I could feel the heat radiating from her skin, the way her body reacted to my touch. She wants this too.

"Look at me," I commanded softly.

She lifted her eyes, and when she saw the way I was staring at her, she shivered.

"God, you're perfect," I whispered, running my fingers over her arm, tracing slow, lazy patterns on her skin.

She trembled.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against her ear. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

She swallowed hard. "Joe..."

I smirked, taking her hand and pressing it against my hardened length. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching.

"That's what you do to me," I murmured.

She gasped, her fingers twitching against me, unsure of what to do. I could see the way her thighs clenched, the way she bit her lip.

Before she could overthink, I scooped her up into my arms and whispered, "Let's get into the pool."

She nodded, wrapping her arms around my neck.

The water was cool against our heated skin, but it did nothing to extinguish the fire between us.

As we floated, I pulled her onto my lap, letting my fingers trail down her spine. She shivered in response, her fingers gripping my shoulders.

Leaning closer, I whispered, "You're mine, Tina. Tonight, tomorrow, forever."

Her lips parted, and she whispered back, "Forever."

I kissed her again-slow, deep, consuming. Every touch, every whisper, every lingering glance spoke volumes.

Tonight wasn't just about passion.

Tonight was a promise.

Tamara's POV

There they were, hands intertwined, laughter spilling between them as if the world had vanished around them. Tina and Joe. I could feel my teeth grinding, my nails digging into my palms so deep they might draw blood. Forcing a smile felt like holding back a scream, a painful mask stretched over a burning volcano. I knew Calvin was watching me from across the beach, silently screaming with his eyes: Don't you dare. Like hell I would... yet.

Tina, with her perfect smile and her infuriating way of getting Joe to do anything. If she asked him to fetch the moon, he'd probably be halfway to NASA already. I couldn't help but imagine turning her into a cloud of dust. POOF. Gone. I'd murdered her a hundred times in my mind already, each scenario more creative than the last. Exploding piñata? Check. Accidentally slipping off a cliff? Also check.

I felt the rage bubbling under my skin, an itch I couldn't scratch. I wanted to scream, run away, maybe bury myself in the sand and never resurface. But I couldn't. Not with Justin lurking around like a shadow. He approached me, that stupid, smug look on his face, leaning in like he owned the air between us.

"Everyone's watching," I hissed, pushing him back. He raised an eyebrow, and I could practically hear the sarcastic thought forming. Oh great, now I have to play nice. "I mean... I'm not ready for an open relationship," I added, the voice softer, almost apologetic. High-pitched panic. Desperation. A mess.

Justin smirked, understanding too much. He was my pawn, my secret... but also a loaded gun I couldn't afford to let fire. If he blabbed about what happened last night, it'd be more than my reputation on the line-it'd be my heart.

As we packed our things and headed for the parking lot, he casually announced, "I'll drive you home." His tone made it sound like I was property, and the irritation crawled up my spine. Sure, Justin. My knight in beer-stained armor. But I owed him. And debts were dangerous.

In the car, I fumbled in my bag, desperate for my phone, dialing Janet. My lifeline. My therapist. My best friend. "Janet, it failed. Your stupid plan. Everything failed." Tears threatened to spill. She'd fix it. She always did. Janet was the calm in my storm, the voice that kept me from spiraling into chaos.

Until Joe's silhouette appeared in the distance, cutting my call short. Panic surged. Why now?

I couldn't face Joe. Not now. The mere thought of seeing him made my heart pound in fear. If I stood in front of him, I knew I would break, and I couldn't let that happen. Not yet. He couldn't know what happened last night, not until I could find the strength to explain it all. My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists, trying to keep myself together, to keep the storm inside from spilling out. What would he think if he saw me like this? I had to bury it, lock it all away until the moment was right. If I saw the concern in his eyes, the way he always saw through my defenses, I would shatter. I had to stay intact-I owed myself that much. Just breathe. Keep it together. One step at a time.

Justin's voice snapped me back. "Are you alright?" Concerned. Like he cared. I plastered on a fake smile. "About last night-" he started, but I cut him off. "It was a mistake, Justin. We were wasted. It'll never happen again."

Oh God, what have I done? I wanted to pull my hair out, scream into the void. I saved myself for Joe. Years. Decades. A lifetime. And now... Justin. The vodka. The beach. The kiss. The... No. NO. If Joe found out, it was over. I'd lose him. And it was all Tina's fault. That kiss in the pool? Her smug face? She started this war.

Veronica's voice cut through my mental storm. She and her friends-three witches, cackling at my misery. I clenched my fists, my mind racing. Pull it together. Joe is mine. MINE. And I'll do whatever it takes to get him back.

Justin slid into the driver's seat, and thank God, Eric stumbled into the back, too drunk to drive. Relief washed over me-no more awkward conversations about last night.

Joe. Tina. Their laughter echoed in my head. I'd loved Joe my whole life. Childhood. Adolescence. Every moment was a stitch in this tapestry of obsession. I wasn't about to let anyone-especially not Tina-unravel it.

Game on.

Tina's POV

As I walked heavily back from the supermarket to my apartment, my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The laughter and music from the gathering still echoed faintly in my ears, but my thoughts were preoccupied with what had happened earlier at the pool. Joe's kiss. Unexpected. Electrifying.

I replayed the moment over and over, like a favorite song on repeat. The way he leaned in, how our eyes locked just before his lips met mine-was he always this smooth? My heart had nearly leaped out of my chest. And now, as I walked alone, I could still feel that kiss lingering, like an invisible brand on my lips. I half-expected the air to burst into fireworks again.

Am I seriously blushing in public? I glanced around, pretending to adjust my hair, hoping no one noticed my crimson cheeks.

But doubt crept in, uninvited. My heart had been in a warzone before. I'd handed out "forevers" to someone who turned them into fleeting "goodbyes." Was I walking into another heartbreak? Or was this something real? Something... different?

Is this love or just a high from the salty air and his perfect, stupid smile?

The thought of the upcoming weekend cruise both thrilled and terrified me. Out on the open sea, with nothing but waves and possibilities... and Joe. Just us, no nosy people to dissect our every move. It was perfect. Too perfect? Oh god, I'm spiraling.

As I flopped onto my bed that night, the distant hum of traffic outside my window seemed to mirror the chaos in my head. Relax, I told myself. It's just a cruise. People go on cruises all the time without falling hopelessly in love. Right?

The next morning, I shot Veronica a text, asking if she'd decided about the cruise. Her reply came almost instantly: "OMG yes! So excited!"

Wait, what? This was the same Veronica who had practically needed a rescue mission to drag her to the beach party. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend? I shook my head, chuckling. Whatever it was, I wasn't complaining.

The week dragged on like a Monday that refused to end. I barely saw Joe. He was buried in café duties, covering weekdays so his mom could handle weekends. Once, I visited the café, trying to act casual. Totally normal to order three cappuccinos and not even drink one, right?

"Another coffee?" he had teased, raising an eyebrow. Focus, heart. Do not leap out of the chest.

Joe leaned against the table, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So," he drawled, "still recovering from the beach party, or should I remind you how you almost fell into my arms?" His teasing tone made my cheeks heat instantly, and I tried to play it cool, but my heart raced. Before I could come up with a witty comeback, he leaned closer, his voice softening. "Are you ready for the cruise?" The way he said it, laced with an unexpected warmth, made my throat tighten. Was it just the words, or the way his gaze lingered on mine? My mind spiraled. Did he always have this effect on me? I struggled to answer, my heart hammering. Get it together. It's just a question... right? Yet, as his smile deepened, I wondered if he knew how easily he could unravel me.

Meanwhile, Trisha was living her best life, practically floating around on cloud nine. Edam this, Edam that. Cruises. Shopping sprees. I swear, she was one romantic montage away from a Hallmark movie.

Finally, the day arrived. As I packed my bag, a new kind of nervousness settled in. Romantic. Excited. Terrified. Like the universe had tossed my emotions into a blender.

Joe's message echoed in my mind: "We'll be staying overnight." One night. Together. Sharing a room. A bed. My heart did a somersault. No big deal, I lied to myself. It's just... sharing blankets. Normally friends do that. Right?

I zipped my bag, taking a deep breath. "Okay," I whispered to my reflection. "You've got this."

Veronica arrived at my place, bouncing with uncharacteristic energy. "Ready?!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Who are you and what did you do with my moody friend?"

She grinned. "Let's just say... the sea calls me."

I narrowed my eyes. Something's up. I'll crack this mystery later.

Joe pulls up outside my apartment, leaning casually against his car, his sun-kissed skin glowing in the afternoon light. His summer outfit-a fitted white linen shirt unbuttoned just enough, paired with light blue shorts-looks effortlessly perfect. His shades rest on the bridge of his nose, and I can't help but steal glances, my heart racing faster than it should. I've never been the type to blush easily, but as he lowers his glasses to give me a once-over, his eyes sparkling with mischief, I feel my cheeks heating up.

"Ready for an adventure?" he teases, his voice smooth, almost a whisper, as he opens the car door for me. His hand lingers on my lower back, sending a wave of electricity through me. My mind is a swirl of flustered thoughts. Why does he have to be this charming? I bite my lip, trying to play it cool.

Luckily this time there was no Tamara drama.

The cruise ship awaits, but my mind is already lost in the way he looks at me-like I'm the only destination worth exploring.

As we reached the dock, my nerves kicked into overdrive. The cruise ship loomed before us, elegant and daunting. Joe went up first, leaning casually against the railing. As I accompanied Vero and Trisha and walked up to the ship. His eyes found mine, and that stupid, perfect smile appeared.

Deep breaths. Just a kiss. Just a weekend. What could possibly go wrong?

_______________________________

"Love isn't a perfect moment, it's the quiet certainty that when the storm passes, you'll still be there, together."