Chapter 17: Budding Heart

**Chase**

It was a risk to show up unannounced, but she doesn’t seem angry. Aside from the initial shock of me appearing out of thin air, there’s actually a hint of anticipation in her eyes, like she’s secretly excited to see me. “Oh, you can go ahead of me,” she says, gesturing to the tourist waiting behind her. “Chase…” she begins, but I lift a finger to her soft lips. “I’m not going to intrude on your plans with your… little group.” I say lightheartedly as she raises an eyebrow, skepticism written all over her face. "Then what are you doing here?" she asks, using her index finger to poke me in the chest. “Corey wanted to see Katie, and... I couldn't deny myself the opportunity to glide through the jungle like Tarzan," I say while beating my chest timidly. Her shoulders relax and she smiles, before a look of confusion brews on her face. “Corey wanted to see Katie?” she asks, and I can’t help but chuckle at how innocent her voice sounds, they must not have caught up this morning. “It seems he’s falling for her. They took care of Jordan together for a few hours after we docked." Different expressions flicker across her face, and as realization dawns, she nods. “She was acting a bit strange this morning, or rather, out of character for her,” she adds with a laugh. "And what about you, Lena," I say while poking the tip of her nose. "Any new feelings budding in that heart of yours?” I watch her intently, but she quickly averts our connection and murmurs under her breath, "wouldn't you like to know."

“I have to get going; everyone’s waiting for me,” she says politely, turning on her heels to leave. Impulsively, I reach out and take her hand as I wave for another zip liner to pass and go. “Can I see you later?” I request, my fingers instinctively caressing the inside of her wrist. The sensation of her skin is intoxicating. She pauses, glancing back at me with caution. “For what reason?” she debates while shifting her posture, her delicate chin tilting upward with attitude. “There’s somewhere I want to show you. No ill intentions, I promise." She throws her head back and laughs melodically, her braids swaying behind her. God what I wouldn't give to bend her over and use them as handle bars! “Is that your catchphrase or something? You literally said that yesterday, and look what happened!” I pause, considering her words. “If I remember correctly, you were the one with… ill intentions.” I reverberate as her eyes widen and she scoffs, “excuse me!?” The playful tension from last night is returning between us, and I can’t help but smile at her mock affront. "You don’t remember? Do I need to refresh your memory?" I lean in close, letting my nose nuzzle her cheek before stopping next to her ear. "Touch me, Chase…" I whisper, and her body stills as if I just drained her batteries. "I was only obliging what you asked for," extending my hand like her words rest in the center of my palm. She looks stumped for a moment before biting her lip and whacking me on the arm. "Oh please, you knew exactly what you were doing!"

“Maybe, maybe not… The world may never know," I say and she smiles before glancing at the zip line as if weighing her options. Our time here is running out, and the last thing I need is for her fiance to come looking and find us together like this. “So Lena, will you join Corey and me on another adventure? I promise you won’t be disappointed.” I say, hoping to draw her back in for the last time. “Let me talk with the girls first,” she replies before walking over to the zip line with a pep in her step. “You could have just texted me, you know? You have my number,” she calls with a taunt. I shrug, “I wanted to ask you in person. You didn’t save my number yesterday, so you may have ignored it thinking it was spam. No excuses now.” The guides secure her into the harness, expertly buckling her in before she sets off. Just before they give her the green light, her soulful brown eyes drift back to mine, holding my gaze for a heartbeat longer. I swear they shine brighter than the never ending cascade of lush greenery surrounding us. We have a moment of silent understanding, a knowing that this is just the beginning. “You’re going to be the death of me Chase, I’m calling it now!” In an instant, she’s propelled down the tree line. Before disappears from view, she leans back and extends her arms, as if she’s floating on a cloud of her own creation. Dove really does suit her perfectly.

**Lena**

As I come to a stop, my eyes dart around the crowd for Katie and Jordan. Luckily it doesn’t take long, because as soon as our eyes meet, they are dashing in my direction. “Where are Jasper and James?” I ask, the worry in my voice all too apparent. “They got tired of waiting, so they went to the bathroom, and to grab some water,” Katie explains. I breathe a giant sigh of relief as I finally step down, making sure to thank the guides who helped me navigate the tangled straps. “By the way, Katie said Chase showed up! What did he want?” Jordan interjects. “They came for the zip line,” I reply, “but he and Corey want to hang out later.” We exchange uncertain glances before I turn to scan the zip line again, my heart racing. No sign of Corey or Chase. “Well… what did you say?” Jordan presses, nudging my shoulder. “I didn’t commit to anything. We have that dinner with James and Jasper later, and I really don’t know how we’d get out of it. All Chase said was that we wouldn’t be disappointed.” Katie nods in agreement, but Jordan throws her hands up in frustration. “What the hell! They wanted nothing to do with us the first few days, and now they’re suddenly interested in group activities! Get the fuck out of here!” Katie looks between us, both our brows furrowing in contemplation. “Maybe we can find a way to balance both? We could meet up with Chase and Corey for a bit, then head to dinner… or vice versa! It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.” That could work! However, I need to tell them what happened between Chase and I last night first.

“Before we set anything in stone, there is something I need to tell you both…” I confess, but of course, I catch sight of Jasper and James approaching with water bottles in hand at the same time. “Amazing, right Len!?” Jasper calls out, a bored grin plastered across his face. It boggles my mind that he can look both bored and excited at the same time. “Absolutely!” I reply, trying to match his lifeless enthusiasm, even though my thoughts are racing everywhere but in the present moment. “Is anyone else hungry?” Jordan interrupts, tapping her fingers together like a villain. “Maybe we could have lunch after today’s excursion instead of dinner tonight? I’m still pretty hungover.” Jasper takes a sip of his water bottle before replying. “That is absolutely something we can consider, I’m starving. What do the rest of you think?” Katie and I nod in agreement, simultaneously making ourselves look more exhausted than we actually are. “How… lame.” James scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Hey, the idea was to go hard, am I wrong? We did that, and it’d be nice to recuperate before doing it all over again.” Jasper pats his friend on the back, “let it go man. We can find something to do tonight while the ladies take it easy. We still have a few more days.”

We finish our lunch at a small cafe on our way back to the resort, but I was lost in thought the entire time, dazing in and out, and weighing the consequences of spending more time with Chase today. What we've done and what I'm considering is inherently wrong, yet I can't rid myself of the magnetic pull I feel toward him. There’s something about him that goes beyond the chemistry between us; his energy is invigorating, it makes my knees weak, and my heart pounds out of my chest at his touch. If our paths had crossed earlier, I can genuinely envision a future where we might have been a couple. It’s not just the thrill of getting caught or having one last fling before my wedding; it’s the possibility of what could be that makes me want to keep getting to know him. We hop in an uber, and I zone out again as Jasper and James discuss what they're going to do for the rest of the day. I watch the city pass out the window when my phone dings, and I glance down to see a text message from an unknown number. I already know it’s from Chase. My hands shake as I tap it open, and read the message nervously. “So, what’s the verdict little dove?”