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After about an hour of kayaking, all the kayaks slowed down as everybody started paddling slower, taking in the trees all around us while the sun had gotten a little less bright, the sky becoming a few shades lighter of orange and pink.

"Huh," I mumbled, looking at Josh. "I guess you were right about that sunset looking pretty."

He shot me a smug look and then nodded silently, continuing to paddle.

A little bit later, when we knew we'd been around the whole swamp and it was time to start heading back, we all took a little break, stopped paddling, and waited to watch a little bit more of the sunset and talk. Except it was Josh and me, so there wasn't a lot of talking. A little more of just... staring at each other and... waiting to see who'd be the first person to look away. But surprisingly, for once in my life, it didn't feel like it was a competition between us.

"Can I get my phone?" I asked, holding my hand out. "I want to take a picture of the sky."

He fished it out of his pocket, handed it to me and I took a few pictures of the sunset before handing my phone back to him. He secured it in his pocket again before we went back to sitting in silence and having a staring contest.

I rested my elbow on my knee and held my chin in the palm of my hand, holding his gaze.

"What?" He lifted a brow at me, his lip twitching to smile but he held it back.

"What?" I asked mockingly.

He shook his head and looked away, glancing down at the water once.

I looked at the water before glancing up at the sky. "How stupid would it be to stand in this kayak?" I questioned.

"Very stupid. Because once you fall into the swamp," he laughed dryly, "I'm not giving you a hand out of there."

"You so would," I retorted. "You act like you're so mean and rude. And you act like you despise me—"

"I did."

"No, you..." I trailed off, blinking in surprise. "Did? As in past tense? Really?" I grinned, straightening up.

He rolled his eyes. "Forget I said anything."

I huffed, ignoring him. "You act like you hate me and sure, you did. We were archenemies at work, sure, whatever. Now is it safe to say we aren't?" I was really hoping he'd say yes because I was exhausted from pretending to hate him and truth be told, I was having more fun with him than I expected on this trip. He was much better company than I thought he would be.

"I suppose it is safe to say we aren't," he shrugged. "But we're not friends, Valentine. Don't get your hopes up too high."

"No," I said slowly, shaking my head. "Of course not. I don't want to be your friend, Josh," I told him, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Us? Friends? No, that's not what we're doing here."

He pointed a finger at me sharply. "We're not friends, Poppy Valentine."

"Of course, Joshua Nilsen. We're far from it."

He lowered his hand, both of us grabbing our paddles as a distant yell came, telling us we'd be heading back now.

"Just not too far," I added sheepishly.

"Poppy," he scolded.

I chuckled, starting to paddle again. The sun continued to slowly melt away behind the clouds the closer we got to the bank and as we slowed down to a stop, Josh and I confirmed tonight's plans.

We'd get back to the hotel before six-thirty, so we had plenty of time to unwind and freshen up before dinner, and then like last night, we'd go out again. Tomorrow evening, we were due to check out and change our hotels so we could start getting to some spots that are closer to the heart of the city.

The kayak jerked to a stop and we put our paddles down. I stayed seated, holding on as the kayak shook while Josh stood up and stepped out quickly. The kayak began floating away and he quickly leaned over, grabbing it and pulling it to him. I got up, immediately grabbing his hand and mumbling, "Oh shit," as the kayak shook again.

"That's it, Poppy," he snickered, "fall into the swamp."

I glared at him as he helped me out. I barely stepped out before stumbling into him, losing my balance. He tightened his hold on my hand as I fell forward, a short gasp escaping me while he pulled me up and closer, tightening an arm around my waist. I winced a bit, looking down at my ankle that I could swear bent funny. "Ow," I mumbled, frowning and rotating my ankle before gaining my footing and tilting my chin up to look at him.

He blinked, I blinked, and neither one of us moved or looked away. I took in a breath to say something but nothing came up. "Thanks," I mumbled softly, nodding. "Um, for catching me."

His hands slid down my waist before he took a step back, letting me go. "Of course." He cleared his throat, "Or you'd take me with you in the swamp," he said, "now come on." He spun around and started heading back to our car.

I rolled my eyes with a huff and quickly caught up to him, glancing at my ankle one more time, just to make sure. We made it to our car with the guide while Jamieson and Valerie trailed behind us and then the guide opened the door, folding up the seat again.

I pulled myself up and took a seat, scooting further in to make room for Josh before he climbed in. He glanced at me as the seat was folded back up but neither one of us said anything as the other two got in the car and the guide began driving. I faced the window, looking out while pulling my hand up, propping my elbow up by the window frame, and holding my chin, covering my mouth with my fingers.

What in the fucking hell was that?

When he caught me like that and when his arms went around my waist like that, my heart was... racing.

Oh no, oh no! What is happening to me? Since when does Joshua send my heart racing?

I released a breath, moving my free hand off my thigh, jumping when it touched Josh's. "Sorry," I rushed out, moving it away from him. I cringed as soon as I did that before stealing a look at him.

He watched me in amusement before leaning in closer, smirking. I faced forward, determined not to look at him. "Why are you acting so weird? It's like you're nervous," he teased, whispering into my ear.

"Well..." I trailed off, with no real thing to say.

"Oh," he added and then paused for a beat, "is it because I'm handsome?"

"Oh, I was so happy thinking you'd forgotten about that but I guess not, huh, Joshy?" I rolled my eyes, turning to face him. Which I definitely shouldn't have done because I definitely hadn't processed how close we would be once I looked at him.

He lifted a brow, smirking at me. "How could I ever forget the day Poppy Valentine called me handsome?"

"Almost," I corrected.

He smiled softly and my breath hitched a little. "Of course. Almost." His eyes traveled across my face, lingering on my lips for a beat too long before he pulled away, leaning back and sitting in his seat.

I turned to the window again, closing my eyes, mouthing to absolutely no one, "Oh, my God!"

The entire drive back, it's all I could think about. The way I felt around him in little moments like those was so different from how I felt around him when he wasn't being so nice.

He could wreck me. He just might.

As the car slowed down to a stop at our hotel and we were helped out, Josh got out first before helping me out and I hesitated a bit before placing my hand in his, hopping out.

We got into the elevator with Jamieson and Valerie and luckily, Valerie was right here to make the trip less awkward.

She's just... a fucking gem, isn't she?

"So, did you guys manage to take any pictures out there?" Valerie asked, looking between Josh and me.

He looked at me expectantly and I nodded, fidgeting with my earring. "Yeah. Yeah, I um, I took a few of the sunset."

She nodded, flashing me a quick smile and then facing Josh. "Did you?"

I resisted an eye roll, Jamieson and I exchanged a look. He did roll his eyes before gesturing for me to go closer to him as Valerie took out her phone, eager to show Josh the pictures she took today. I faked a soundless gag as Jamieson chuckled softly, grabbing my arm and pulling me over before Valerie stood closer to Josh. "She's—" I whispered through clenched teeth.

"No," Jamieson sang, shaking his head, cooing at me like I was a kid. "Patience, Poppy. Shh!" He laughed silently.

I huffed, folding my arms across my chest.

"Anyway, since when were you and Josh so close that seeing him with Valerie makes you..." Jamie whispered, his eyes narrowing at me. "Oh, I don't know, jealous?"

I stared at him in disbelief before scoffing softly. "Jealous?" I glanced at Josh to make sure I didn't say that too loud.

He lifted his eyes to mine as Valerie continued rambling to him, showing him more photos. He kept his eyes on me as I faced Jamieson.

"That's not the word for what I'm feeling... is it?"

"Might be, Pops. Just might," he teased.

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