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We go up to our room, and he lets me unlock the door. While small, it’s pretty and romantic. There’s a wrought-iron double bed, which looks inviting, and a little connected bathroom to the side.

Before I’ve managed to take a proper look around the place we’re going to stay, he drops the bags onto the floor and pulls me closer towards him. He unwraps the towel from around my body and drops his. We stand in our now-dry swimwear, and he keeps his gaze on me as he helps me out of my swimming costume, kissing my skin as he uncovers it. When I’m naked, I follow his lead, kneeling to kiss down his stomach. He tastes like salt from the sea. I peer up at him from my position on my knees in front of him, and within seconds, he has me up off the floor. He carries me to the bed and sets me down like I’m a precious piece of porcelain. Seconds later, we’re a tangled heap of limbs wrapped around one another, lips crushing with urgency, hearts pounding and breaths racing.

We settle into a slower, gentler rhythm. I see the whole spectrum of colours, feel a symphony of sensations, hear every soft moan and whisper about his feelings.

After, we lie down to catch our breaths. He suggests a shower and going out for dinner, but I don’t want to go out and don’t feel hungry. Instead, we snuggle up under the covers.

When I start to feel sleepy, I whisper to him my thanks and tell him that I’ve had the best day in years. The last thing I hear before I fall to sleep is that he loves me, a truth I take with me into my dreams.

***

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Joseph asks as I finish getting ready to go meet Felix.

“Yeah, I think the original plan is still the best idea. I’ll meet Felix, we’ll catch up, I’ll tell him everything I need to update him on, and then we’ll come here to meet you.”

“Do you want me to drive you?”

I shake my head. “No. I think the bus ride will clear my head.”

“Okay, I’ll be here for when you get back.” He pulls me closer and gives me a kiss on the forehead. “You’ll be fine. Felix will understand.”

I nod, even though I feel less confident than he appears to be about the confession I’m going to give to my best friend.

“Thank you, for yesterday, and this morning.”

He woke me early today so we could go to the beach and watch the sunrise. The world felt silent and quiet, like it was just us. Then he took me back to the bed and breakfast, where we tumbled back into bed to make love before we dressed and grabbed something to eat. When he drove us home, we kept the radio on and sang all the way back, like we didn’t have a care in the world.

“You sound like you’re not coming back.” Joseph gives a small huff of laughter.

“Running out on the man who gave me Tammy the turtle? Never.” I laugh with him. “I’ll be back with Felix. I’ll text you to tell you when we’re on our way here.”

I give him a kiss and then head out, walking in the direction of Felix’s house. I know I could have accepted a lift, but I was telling Joseph the truth when I said the fresh air was going to help clear my head. I had planned to take the bus, but when I start out, I realise I want the silence and solitude of walking by myself rather than getting on a busy bus. Felix’s house isn’t too far from Joseph’s, only a couple of stops on the bus, so not too long for me to walk.

Felix’s parents aren’t going to be home, and I’m grateful for that. He arrived last night, so I know the plan was that they would take him out for a nice dinner, catching up as a family. When I last spoke to Felix about the plans for him coming home, he told me I was invited for dinner, but I declined. The idea of him asking me how I’ve been in front of his parents was too much of a risk. One judgemental person will be enough.

The closer I get to the house, the more unsettled I feel. I’m excited to see him because I’ve missed him desperately, and I can’t wait to feel his strong arms around me in a hug. But along with the excitement is the apprehension.

By the time I reach Felix’s driveway, I’m a bag of nerves. But when the front door flings open, all those nerves disappear.

“Delilah!”

“Oh my, look at you. Look at that tan!”

He scoops me into his arms and swings me around, both of us laughing. I clutch onto him tightly until he puts me back on the ground.

“Come in and tell me everything that’s been going on with you.” Felix gestures towards the front door that he left open.

I follow him into the house, stepping into a hallway that I’ve been in what feels like a million times. I haven’t been recently, and I notice they’ve decorated the hallway since I was last here.

“Wow, your mum really went bold with the wallpaper choice.” I laugh.

“I know, right? Look what happens when I’m not around to keep her in check.” He rolls his eyes.

“Was she unbearable when you got back?”

“Of course. She told me she hasn’t seen you,” Felix states as he walks through the house in the direction of the kitchen.

I don’t say anything immediately, just follow him and watch as he puts the kettle on to boil.