Tampa, Florida. About 10 years ago.

It's all coming back to me now.

Same environment and vibe, just a different state.

I'm reliving almost the same moment that we met. I can act as if it means nothing to me all day but this moment means so much to me. Like it's an overdue apology after 10 years of absence.

"I'd rather not take any spoilers. Thanks anyway," I decline as my eyes roll back to the book, remembering exactly how this played out those many years ago.

The way we instantly connected just a book, the warm feeling that he created in my heart and on my skin. Only in the matter of two weeks; the sun wasn't the only thing that heated my body.

The way he caught my attention with his knowledge and his words. Men read but Tripp is an exquisite, top-notch reader. He's a sensitive reader that wasn't afraid to express his feelings, his soft side. Then there's his friends who are the complete opposite.

My point is that he turned out to be so different...or so I believed.

"Well, if you're expecting a happily ever after, you may want to change your expectations."

I slam the book shut and grunt inside. See what I'm talking about?

"Come on, Tripp. Please don't ruin this book for me."

"I'll tell you this; nothing last forever, Journee. Every story doesn't end with a happily ever after and that's just something you have to deal with. Unfortunately, Lisa and Collin's journey ends after-"

"Tripp, shut up. Please."

I try to turn the book over and read the summary, hoping for this man to go back wherever he came from. However, my concentration on the book goes to him instead. The struggle between the book and Tripp is real.

Just as he did in Tampa, he doesn't move. As a matter of fact, he creates his own spot on my beach blanket. He makes himself comfortable right beside me and my heart races. With him just sitting beside me, my body heat gets higher and higher.

This feeling has to be because Davin's barely been around and this is not okay, but it's uncontrollable. Tripp has a hold on me, putting me in a tornado filled with emotions. Confusion has taken control over my mind.

Love, nostalgia, and that deep passion takes over my heart.

He looks out into the water like the water is having a conversation with him and he can understand everything it says; the Tripp I remember years ago.

I watch him as he's focused on the clear ocean water. His beautiful muscles relax while his chest rises and falls. He takes in all of what the beach is offering and a smile appears on his face, confirming my thoughts.

"Can you believe there's different colors of sand around Hawaii? Depending on the area you're in, you can find black, orange, and red sand. All those natural minerals coming together to create beautiful colors and then we have this sand."

There goes his inner nerd coming out and I love it more than he will ever know. He's so relaxed telling me these random thoughts in his mind and it sends a warm feeling to my heart. It's adorable.

I roll over on my stomach and try cracking my book open again. I'm in the part where Lisa and Collin go out to their favorite restaurant and discuss their individual futures. Lisa talks about all her dreams, including opening her own counseling center and hoping to get married one day.

Collin, on the other hand, catches her attention with "I see myself as the one you marry that one day you talk about. That's not to be cute or get in your pants. I believe I'll be your husband."

It puts Lisa and I in shock because I can hear Collin's voice out loud, like he's sitting right beside me, expressing his love to me. It's as if I'm sitting across from him and he's telling me all of this.

Anyway, Lisa chuckles and thinks he's playing around, believing he's like every other man that says that. She explains that you never know what will happen in life. Fate can turn your whole life around and she said nothing but the truth.

It puts me in my feelings, remembering how Tripp and I ended and thinking about how Davin and I could be ending our marriage.

Maybe it's me.

Collin's intentions seem to be pure because "One of the ways a man can show his love and affection is through his actions. You may not believe it now because it's all new to you but I'll show you better than I can tell you."

Suddenly, I hear these same words being repeated and I glance over to see Tripp laying beside me. As bad as I want him to stay, he has to get off. There's too many memories and strong emotions coming back to me and I'm not comfortable.

"Tripp, I-"

"My purpose is to protect you, to love and honor you, and to see you be successful. I believe that God has blessed me with a beating heart to use it on you. I believe in my purpose wholeheartedly, Lisa, and I act on them accordingly."

Those are the exact words in the book and Tripp speaks those same words as he turns his eyes to me. He looks at me with so much emotion and I'm touched, filled with the same emotion. He's doing the same thing he did in Tampa and I can't take my eyes off him.

We stay in this moment for so long and connect through this time. Our hearts become one, loving each other because they haven't touched in years. This feeling, right here and now, is the same feeling I've craved and believed Davin would light up in me.

There's seems to be only one man that can shine that light up in my heart.

Eventually, I come out from all the emotion and realize where we both are in life. My husband, his wife, our kids. We can't ignore them and have to remember who we have to be faithful to, no matter how much they ignore us.

I clear my throat and say "I'm glad you remember this book and I'm grateful for your knowledge, however, you will have to get off the beach blanket. Cass is coming back very soon."

He looks over towards the bar as Cass is gathering the drinks for us and turns back to me with those lovely dark brown eyes. The warm, bright sun compliments his light, tan skin as his teeth shine and shape that wonderful smile.

Studying that chiseled face and smile puts me in that same place I once was. This face was supposed to stay in the past but found its way back in the present.

"You're right. I think Kyra should be coming back from her acting gig anyway."

As he moves his body with such ease and those hard muscles flex to help him off the ground, he continues to say "It's been a pleasure talking to you, Journee. I hope to talk to you soon about Noah."

Could these feelings be coming from the months of emotional neglect from my husband? Could this be lust? A sign?

Must be the devil because God didn't die for all of this.

I could crack open that book and get to the end but I could only hear Tripp's voice as I read all of Collin's words. This is so unusual and my heart is torn.

Eventually, I'm able to get to the end and, come to find out, Tripp wasn't fibbing at all. Collin finds out that Lisa cheated on him with his best friend and they separate.

Good thing there's a second book because I wonder if their love reignites. Collin made a promise to Lisa and Lisa has to show the same energy.

At least their relationship didn't end in misunderstanding...