The next few days passed in a whirlwind of meticulously planned run-ins with Josh and his girlfriend.
Travis and I leaned into the act, playing the perfect, carefree couple. To my surprise, it didn’t feel forced.
Travis made everything easy.
He was funny, spontaneous, and had this way of making me forget why I was there in the first place.
We spent afternoons building sandcastles, laughing as Travis insisted mine looked like a “lopsided pancake.”
We mimicked overly peppy tour guides until tears rolled down my cheeks. And in the ocean, we splashed each other like kids, the waves swallowing our laughter. With Travis, I felt something I hadn’t expected—peace.
One evening, after dinner, Travis stood up suddenly.
“Let’s go,” he said, holding out his hand.
“Where?” I asked, suspicious.
“Trust me,” he said, pulling me outside and onto the beach.
“You know we’re not supposed to be here at night,” I whispered, glancing around nervously.
“Oh, relax. What’s the worst that could happen?” he said before sweeping me off my feet and carrying me toward the water.
I screamed, laughed, and begged him to put me down, but he didn’t stop until we were both soaked. Even then, he held onto me.
“You’re crazy,” I said, still laughing.
“And?” he asked, his eyes locking onto mine.
For a moment, it felt like time stopped.
Our faces drifted closer, but then reality hit me like a ton of bricks.
I pulled away, mumbling something about Josh. As I waded back to the shore, I realized I thought about Josh less and less these days. Sitting on the sand, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
“Why do you even want him back?” Travis asked, joining me.
“I love him,” I said.
“Do you?” he asked, unconvinced.
“We were together for a long time,” I argued.
“But he didn’t treat you right.
From what you’ve told me, he made you feel small,” Travis said.
“That’s not true,” I replied defensively.
“Maybe you just don’t see it. I talked to him, you know. He doesn’t seem like a great guy.”
“You talked to him?” I yelled.
“He came to me, asking how serious we were,” Travis explained.
“But he doesn’t deserve you, Ari. He doesn’t see how amazing you are.”
“And how am I amazing?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“You’re smart, funny, stunning—”
“Stop it,” I interrupted, but he kept going.
“You scrunch your nose when you drink soda, you’re adorable when you’re angry, and you definitely snore.”
“I do not snore!” I said, hitting him lightly.
“You do. I’d bet on it,” he teased.
“You’re kind to everyone, even when they don’t deserve it. And did I mention how beautiful and smart you are?”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. And then, without thinking, I kissed him.
It was nothing like kissing Josh—it was better. Warmer. Real.
When I finally pulled away, Travis grinned.
“Wow. Didn’t see that coming.”
“Shut up,” I replied, laughing as I leaned into him. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at peace.
The next morning, I woke up to someone shaking me.
It wasn’t Travis. I opened my eyes to see Josh standing over me.
“We need to talk,” he said.
Reluctantly, I followed him outside. “What is it?” I asked.
“I can’t do this, Ari.
Seeing you with someone else…I still love you. I was an idiot. Please, take me back,” he pleaded.
Before I could think, he kissed me.
But instead of the rush I expected, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. I pushed him away.
“No, Josh.
I can’t do this anymore,” I said. “I have someone who sees me for who I really am, and I can’t lose him.”
“We can fix this,” he insisted.
“No,” I said firmly. I turned to find Travis, but he was gone.
My heart sank. He must have seen everything.
I ran through the hotel, desperate to find him. Finally, I spotted him leaving our room with his bag.
“Travis!” I called out.
He didn’t stop. “Please, wait!”
He paused but didn’t turn around. “You got what you wanted.
You don’t need me anymore,” he said coldly.
“No, you’re wrong. I don’t want him,” I said, my voice shaking. “I want you.
You’re the only one who’s ever made me feel like this. I’m terrified of losing you.”
He stared at me, his expression unreadable. “I told him no,” I added softly.
Still, he said nothing.
My heart was breaking. “Please, Travis. Don’t leave.”
After what felt like an eternity, he dropped his bag and walked back to me.
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me like his life depended on it.
“Sharing a bed wasn’t such a bad idea after all,” I whispered through tears.
“Best idea ever,” he replied with a grin before pulling me into another kiss.
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Source: amomama
