Tight hugs, kisses to the skin, and sexy-smelling perfume. I could live with this everyday for the rest of my life.

"Nah, y'all just need to watch ya mans because he 'bout to lose some teeth. That's all." Angie threatens as she walks off and makes her way to the bar.

Damn, what the hell they do now? We can't go nowhere without them acting like some fools with big ass heads.

My sight moves straight to Journee as her smile brightens up my mood. Her precious brown eyes study mine as her arms make their way around my neck.

While this restaurant is jumping and all, I wanna get my girl in the sand one last time. 'One last time' don't sound right to the ear.

I take her hand and lead her out of the restaurant. We take our shoes off, before our feet hit the sand, and walk around for some air. Time to take in some of that good salt-water air.

"Lemme guess. Ryker and Isaiah started some shit and almost had the club going crazy." I start the conversation as I watch the water wash up against the sand.

As long as I've been here, I haven't taken out the time to really study how nice the water looks at night. The reflection of the moon takes over the water, adding a sparkling visual. It was absolutely beautiful.

"Well, Angie was about to throw Isaiah down on the ground and break his neck. What does that tell you?"

That tells me that the same thing has happened, except it didn't work out in their favor this time. Ryker and Isaiah cause a scene, get the girl, and throw them away after a while but not this time. Instead, Ryker and Isaiah cause a scene and almost get sent to the raggedy ass hospital for being dumb.

Angie ain't like the regular visitors we get here. Hell, none of these ladies were. They'd fit in with the Florida women here because these women don't play that. They in for a good time but they don't deal with the fuckery. I'll just sum this up to be a southern thing though.

Anyway, why do you think Ryker and Isaiah's peak season is during Spring Break? These women fall all over Ryker and Isaiah because they're just looking for a good time. They get caught up and dismissed.

When the guys hear the word 'no' from a woman, especially around here, they get all defensive and think these women are on some bullshit.

"Sorry about that Journee. They can be pretty embarrassing."

"Did you just tell me 'sorry' on your friends' behalf? The only thing you need to be sorry for is not being here sooner. Surprisingly, it was only Isaiah showing out. Ryker was pretty chill."

That's shocking. Ryker and 'chill' don't usually end up in the same sentence unless you're telling him to do just that. I wonder what got him so relaxed.

Anyway, we stop mid-walk and Journee wraps her arms around my waist. Her head leans against my chest as she holds me tightly.

"You already know about Cam moving up to Kentucky, right? Cass is so excited about the move."

"Yeah, I'm gonna miss the hell out of him but as long as he's happy, that's all that matters."

Cam's one of my closest friends that I tell almost everything to. I can't stop him from being with the one he loves, especially if he's serious about it.

"You're such a good friend, a nice person to talk with, and an even better lover." Journee compliments.

When her lips meet mine, I forget about everything and everyone else. Once again, we're in our own little world together and it feels good.

When our lips part, I feel forced back to reality and my soul is let down. Who wants to live in reality when there's a whole other world you can live in? A world that makes you happy and has the one person you've always dreamed of having in your life?

Our eyes meet and my smile fades, remembering something haunting. This was her last evening here with me.

I know I said I'd be willing to be in a long-distance relationship with her but damn. It's like having your favorite book, reading it, and it's over so quickly. You don't want it to be over because everything's going so great.

It feels like we've known each other for a lifetime.

"Have you told your friends about us?" she asks as she nips at cheek.

My eyes follow her gaze to the full moon and I grin as well. Perfect timing, Mr. Moon.

"Nope. It's none of their business. Plus, Ryker and Isaiah will flip out like they did on Cam. They'll figure it out, in due time, and be okay."

Her head lands on my chest and I rest my chin on her head. Sneaking in a quick kiss to her head, I hear a "Not even Cam knows?"

My head shakes, in response to her question, as we watch the moon move the ocean water. The moon's working in overtime tonight.

"Good because Cass and my co-workers don't know about us. I want to make sure that this is a permanent thing before I even tell Cass, be sure that this isn't just a dream."

"If this is a dream, I don't think I want to wake up from it."

She looks up at me and smiles brightly. The natural light from the moon makes her skin glow and I can't keep my eyes off of her. This is the moment I've been waiting on for a while; sitting by the ocean water with the perfect woman in my arms.

"What's in the bag, Lover Boy?"

We sit down in the sand and I remember the blue decorative bag sitting in my hand. Blue and pink ribbons are tied to the handles and glitter follows the stringy design on it. The surprise in the bag puts a smile on my face because I know she's going to love it.

"Who's having a baby?" Journee jokes as I pass the bag to her. She furrows her eyebrows and takes it.

When Journee opens the bag, her face gives off the opposite look of what I expected. Confused and eyeing me with question, she goes on to say, "What is this and why did you get it for me?"

Out came the glass tulip, my poetry journal, a check, and a card. She looks up at me and that glowing smile pops up again, filling my heart with joy.

"It's a yellow tulip and I thought about you when I got it. I got it since a real one dies too fast but this one..."

I move closer to her and my hands wrap around hers. Her hands are warm but her energy is something exciting and strong. I liked it.

"...will last forever."

She's paying no attention to the rest because she's silently crying over the flower. Tears slowly fall from her eyes as I continue talking.

"The color represents joy, optimism, and creative thoughts."

She wipes her tears and sniffles while gently putting it back in the bag. Though I hate to see her cry, I understand why and it's a good thing.

"Shit, there's sand in my eye again." Journee complains and takes us back to the time when we first met.

For once, I don't have a water bottle. Had she not rubbed her eyes, I don't think we'd be where we are now.

To help with the pain, I lightly kiss her eye and continue kissing her cheek.

"Tripp...I love you, baby, but these kisses won't take the sand out of my eye."

She chuckles but I'm sitting here astounded. The way she said that has me at a loss for words. It's different when your friends, family, and high school crush says it.

When your woman says it, especially in an intimate moment like this for the first time, you don't just pass it back nonchalantly. It's a big deal. She may not think so but that's how I feel. My hopeless romantic is showing again.

I wrap my legs around her and hold her near. Once she wipes her hands and face, she sees me sitting across from her and smiles widely.

"Please tell me why you're looking at me like that."

Leaning my forehead against hers, I lightly say "Because I love you so much more."

****

Heeeeeyyyyyyy everybody!

We're in our week of World We Created! Which means everyday this week, I'm dropping a chapter since we're coming to the end of the book.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Tripp and Journee. I had an alright time writing them.

My question is this. Do you think Journee will change her mind, at the last minute, and stay in Florida?

Thanks for your support, love, and all that jazz. I appreciate you all! Until tomorrow!

Love ya!