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I had no idea how much time had passed since I started or stopped crying, but Josh hadn't let go of me yet. Every time I even shuffled, he was moving with me and adjusting to make sure he was still holding me and I still lay comfortably.

For the past few minutes though, he hadn't moved and he was breathing evenly. I pulled back a little, just enough to look up at him, and sure enough, I found him fast asleep, his arms still around me, his chin resting on my head. I tried to make a little more room for him since I was taking up all of his space, but I barely made it an inch away from him before he held me tighter. Our lamps were still on too.

I winced softly, getting out of his grip and leaning back to my nightstand, flicking the lamp off. When I rolled back over, he was turning it off on his own. He faced me, still more than half asleep, and put his arm around me loosely. I hesitated before inching forward and throwing a leg over his and draping my arm over his torso.

We fell asleep tangled like that and when I woke up the next morning, that's how we still were. The sunlight was peeking through from underneath the curtains, making nothing but the floor visible. For a long minute, I didn't move or unlatch myself from him. It was only when I realized that if I didn't get moving, we'd be late for today, that I forced myself awake. I rubbed my eyes, pulling back slightly, mumbling his name. I stared at him as he lay still.

God, he's a heavy sleeper.

"Josh," I repeated, rubbing his back a little before pulling my hand away. "Hello," I sang, reaching up and squeezing his cheeks.

Finally stirring, he frowned before groaning softly and squinting his eyes open. "What?"

"We have to wake up. We're booked for an airboat ride," I reminded him.

"Who cares? We went on a boat last night," he mumbled, on his way back to sleep.

"Josh, you chose it," I chuckled, "plus, airboat rides are nothing like a dinner cruise. It's like a rollercoaster."

"Hmm."

"Josh." I squeezed his face repeatedly until he was annoyed enough to really wake up.

He stared down at me and took in a breath. "Morning," he said.

"Morning," I smiled. After staying in bed for another ten minutes, we really had to get going. "Let me go. I have to get ready," I patted his arm. He let go with a sigh and I climbed out of bed, stretching before walking to my suitcase. I kicked it open with my foot and stared at my clothes, deciding what to wear. I settled on a pair of black jeans with a black lace crop top underneath and a small, white button-up cardigan on top.

Bending over, I grabbed the clothes before straightening out and heading to the bathroom, only the minute I spun around, I caught him staring at my ass. His eyes came up my legs before meeting mine. "You're shameless," I scoffed.

"Oh, but you aren't," he commented sarcastically.

"Yeah well," I shrugged, "you have a cute butt." He laughed and I bit back a grin, going into the bathroom and closing the door behind me. Since we'd be at an airboat ride, chances were, we'd get splashed here and there, so I would shower when we got back and for now, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, freshened up, and got dressed before leaving the bathroom. "All yours," I told him, grabbing my hairbrush. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail, ignoring the short framing pieces, and moved to lay back down while waiting for him.

I grabbed my phone and scrolled through the itinerary first, double-checking today's plans, and then I left Jack a message that read:

'I've been thinking of visiting Dad once I'm back in New York. Any chance you can make it?'

His reply came a few minutes later.

'Yeah. Tell me the dates you'll be home. Did you talk to Dad?'

I texted him back, 'Yeah. But he seemed off, per usual.'

He didn't reply after that.

I had some water and then pocketed my phone, moving to put on my shoes, wearing sneakers today. I was still tying my laces when Josh came out. I took in a breath, watching as he grabbed his baseball hat and flung it on.

He made such simple clothes look so attractive. He had on a plain black t-shirt with a pair of jeans but he looked amazing in it. The shirt, like always, hugged him in all the right places, his arms were on display and I tried hard not to get too distracted by the veins or the way his biceps flexed when he moved. I watched him as he grabbed his shoes, stopping at my suitcase. He pointed to the faded black bucket hat I brought. "Why aren't you wearing it?"

"Well, um, 'cause my hair is up."

"It'll get wet though," he frowned and grabbed the hat, walking over to me. "Wear the hat."

I took it warily as he plopped down beside me and pulled his shoes on. "Is this your failed attempt at matching with me?" I asked, glancing pointedly at his hat.

He smiled at me cheekily, "Maybe."

I laughed softly before letting my hair down and pulling it back in a low bun. "All right," I said in a sing-song voice, pulling the hat on. "How do I look?"

"Stunning," he said with a hint of sarcasm. I smacked him softly as we grabbed the last of our things and headed out. "I have to say," he spoke up as we got into the elevator. "I've never been on a date to New Orleans that lasted eight days. Nor have I been on an airboat ride for a date."

"Oh, it's a date now, is it?" I teased.

He glanced at me, shooting me a quick wink. In all my life, I've never found a wink so attractive on any guy. Generally, a lot of guys can't pull it off and it just makes me cringe but Josh made it so charming and handsome. He made it attractive and cute.

The elevator stopped as he reached for my hand but I had to slap it away when I realized the people joining us were Jamie and Valerie. "Hey, morning," Jamieson greeted while Valerie said nothing. We greeted him back before he asked, "So, where are you two going today?" He turned to me before glancing in confusion at our hats but he didn't say anything.

"Airboat ride," Josh answered.

"Really?" Valerie suddenly asked, chuckling, "we're going there too."

I bit my tongue, not wanting to say anything too mean to her. I suppose it wasn't her fault, they didn't know we'd be there and they have no reason not to.

"Really? What do you photograph on an airboat?" Josh asked.

"Nothing," Jamieson huffed. "Valerie wanted to go."

Never mind what I thought two seconds ago. It is her fault. Well, still. She doesn't have a reason to not go, I suppose.

"She doesn't even like rollercoasters," Jamie mumbled to me.

"I'm kind of scared of things like this, usually, but I wanted to try it out."

Jamieson moved to stand beside me slowly, whispering, "Kill me, kill me now."

I bit back a laugh, elbowing him in the ribs. Valerie, as usual, chatted animatedly to Josh despite him hardly listening. "You survived so far, you'll do just fine the rest of the trip," I mumbled to Jamieson.

He sighed dramatically and put his head down on my shoulder. "She's worse than slow poisoning."

I stumbled as Josh grabbed my arm, pulling me closer to him and away from Jamieson not-so-subtly.

I glanced up at him as Jamieson whispered to himself, "Oh. It finally happened."

I elbowed him harshly, shutting him up before Valerie heard anything she wasn't supposed to. The elevator opened and Valerie strutted out first. I grabbed Jamie, pulling him between Josh and me. Josh put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing tightly, making Jamieson nod instantly.

"Got it," he said, "We're about to crash your date. I understand."

I glared at Josh, pulling his hand off Jamieson's shoulder before saying, "Valerie can't know. Please, Jamieson. We don't trust her."

"My lips are sealed," he reassured.

"You too," Josh added, "don't tell Lydia a word."

Jamie snickered, "I don't have a death wish. She made me crash your date, and you think I'll tell Lydia? You'll kill me," he told Josh.

"That I will," Josh nodded.

I clicked my tongue, giving Jamieson a push and he walked ahead, catching up to Valerie. Frowning at Josh, I gave him a shove. "Don't be so mean to him, he didn't do anything."

He rolled his eyes and nonchalantly threw an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him.

I tried pulling away but he leaned down, stealing a kiss on my cheek. I laughed, getting away from him. "Shh!" I hissed before jogging ahead a bit, glancing at him with a grin.

He caught up to me and fell into step beside me wordlessly. "It's a secret I know. But it's getting progressively harder to keep my hands off of you," he said.

"Then try harder," I teased. "You have me alone in our hotel room every night anyway."

He watched me with a smirk, "I do, yes. Am I free to do whatever I like?"

"Maybe," I grinned.

"Maybe," he chuckled.

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