Bright light from the sun infiltrated through the front window of Nick’s home, bringing even more sunshine and warmth into the room. “Hey, Julie,” he called, walking towards her lounging on his sofa.

“Yeah?” She asked, her eyes fixated on him.

“You wanna go somewhere with me?”

“Where?” She asked, her eyes growing wider.

“I’ve got this boat, and I was thinking that maybe you’d like to come for a ride with me,” he suggested, his eyes growing excited.

“A boat, huh?” She asked, enthusiasm laced through her soothing voice.

“Yeah, it’s real big, and since it’s a beautiful day, I thought maybe you’d like to join me.” Nick walked closer towards her, sitting down on the couch and kissing her cheek gently.

“Well...what’s in it for me?” She playfully asked, her smiled widening.

“Spending some time with your beloved cutie pie...” He elbowed her.

“Oh, that’s supposed to make it better, huh?” She asked, turning to face him.

“Well, yeah,” he blushed.

“I guess this movie can wait,” she chuckled, giving him a small peck on his rosy cheeks.

They walked outside along Nick’s private beach together as he led her to his boat. Together they walked onto the boat. “This is yours?” She asked, eyeing her surroundings.

“Yeah. I know it’s not much, but....it’s mine, and I love it.”

“Not much?” She asked, an eyebrow raised. “Nick it’s more than ‘not much’.”

After he drove the boat around for a while, he decided to go to the front with her and enjoy the sun. Julie was already showing the signs of a sunburn he noticed from the red hue apparent on her cheeks and forehead. He sat down in the chair beside her. “You look like you’re getting burned,” he said, running a hand over her warm, scarlet cheek.

She brought her hand up to lie on his. “I’ll be all right; it’s just a little sunburn.”

“But it’ll hurt, won’t it?” He asked, his eyes staring back at her.

“I’ll be okay, Nick. I promise. Cross my heart.”

He smiled, “Okay, then.” He took his hand away, but kept staring at her. An idea flickered in his eyes and Julie saw it.

“What?” She asked all of a sudden.

“You wanna go swimming?”

“I didn’t bring my suit,” Julie replied, her eyes scanning his face. In his eyes, and in the way his lips curled up, she knew he had an idea of sorts. Nick definitely had something up his sleeve!

“You don’t need one, Julie.”

“Huh? Nick, if you’re hinting at skinny dipping -”

He laughed aloud boldly, unable to contain his fit of giggles. “No, no. Julie...not skinny dipping.”

“What are you talking about then?”

“I just meant with our clothes on, but if you’re offering to go skinny dipping, I’m sure not gonna object!”

She punched him in his arm. “If you wanna go skinny dipping you can, but I think I’ll pass,” she replied.

“So... do you wanna swim with me?”

“Maybe I’ll just watch you.”

“Oh. Is it a bad time or something?” He asked, his eyes showing a sputter of concern.

“No, it’s not that. I just thought I’d watch you for a while.”

“Oh. That’s cool,” he replied, hopping up from his seat and peeling off his T-shirt and throwing it into a heap before jumping into the deep blue ocean water. She watched his head pop up moments later, his hair wildly sticking up in ways that just didn’t seem natural in the slightest. For a while she watched him intently, wading in the water, enjoying the vibrant rays of sunlight beaming onto his body. He really looked like he was having such a good time. “Wanna hold something for me?” He asked randomly.

“Hold what for you?” She questioned.

All of a sudden, waterlogged shorts came flying at her, smacking her right in her face. With amusement Nick began to chuckle to himself lightly.

“Nick! You hit me with those,” she laughed.

“Sorry ‘bout that. Didn’t mean to.”

“Hey, Julie,” he started moments later. She didn’t reply. His eyes glanced over the boat, but he was unable to see her. Perhaps she had fallen asleep? No. No one falls asleep that fast. And especially after getting hit with sopping wet shorts only a few minutes earlier. “Julie?” He asked again.

She walked over to the edge of the boat, “Yes?”

“You should jump in. The water feels really good. Plus, I'm not wearing any pants, so...I thought maybe that would attract you.” Taking a moment to think it over, her head tilted as she weighed her options. Deciding it wasn’t such a bad idea, she jumped into the water and swam over to him. He reached up and brushed her wet hair from her eyes before he gently kissed her plush lips, diligently trying to maneuver his soft tongue into her mouth. When they pulled away, their eyes met and he smiled. “Thanks for coming out here with me today.”

______

I let out another sigh along with a heavy breath I was unaware that I was holding in. I had a lot of good memories with her though, which I suppose is why it’s harder to accept and move on with my life. Harder to comprehend. More difficult to abandon my love for her. It’s the same reason I haven’t slept well in two days. The same reason she’s all I think about.