Day 3 - Then

I needed my space after I spent the morning with Tommy. In reality, I needed to talk to Cole again to remind me that I had a boyfriend and a life back in Angel Grove and that this vacation was pure fantasy. The reminder would soon be here and I had to find a way to explain to him how Tommy had joined our group of friends without revealing that I've been hiding this huge secret relationship for the last ten years.

I've never spoken to Cole about it and I think it's about time that I do. I have to do it before he gets here so that he isn't completely blindsided. Cole was understanding and I know he wouldn't feel threatened, not like there was any reason for him to be threatened to begin with.

Tommy was my friend.

After a shower and some deep meditation later, I was back downstairs in the hotel restaurant ready for some breakfast. It was a little after ten, and while my breakfast normally consists of coffee and a slice of toast, totally not a balanced meal, I've been enjoying having a real meal with my friends.

Unfortunately, they were nowhere to be seen. I'm assuming they are still mid hangover in their rooms. The only other person at our usual table was Tommy. He'd cleaned up as well from our little morning adventure. It wasn't that I was disappointed to be spending more alone time with it, it was just that I think I needed a little bit of space to clear my thoughts.

"Everyone still out?" I asked as I took a seat across from him. It was the same table we used on our first day.

"Yeah," he nodded as he took a sip of his coffee. "I figured they would. I can't even begin to imagine how much they had to drink last night."

I thought back to the night before. I was already three shots in and we had just gotten there. I don't even want to know what the rest of the night looked like as they used alcohol to forget Tommy's little show.

"I'm sure Zack and Rocky stacked up Jason's bill. The trip is on him, isn't it?" I smirked.

"I hope so," he blew out a breath, "I just ordered everything on the menu."

I couldn't contain my laughter and it was one of the most effortless things I've done this entire trip.

Unfortunately for Jason, what I thought was Tommy's attempt at a joke turned out to be the complete truth, or something close to it anyway.

We didn't have to worry about who was going to eat everything because everyone began to trickle in little by little, and once Rocky sat down, there wasn't much food left for the rest of us.

Trini lifted a brow when she joined the group, her gaze shifting back and forth between Tommy and me. She had been asleep all morning that I hadn't had the opportunity to let her know that there was finally peace in the ten-year war.

"Am I missing something?" She whispered to me.

"I took your advice," I shrugged.

I didn't want to make this a big deal… although it was!

"Spill." She pulled me towards her.

"Later," I replied, hoping that she would take the hint.

It really wasn't something that I wanted to discuss in front of everyone. There was peace and I just wanted to leave it there.

What started off as breakfast quickly transitioned into brunch as the morning went along. Once alcohol was brought into the meal, it's safe to say that it's no longer breakfast.

It was our first meal where we all conversed back and forth, and for the first time in a long time, there was no tension. No one had to walk on eggshells, there were no longing looks of what could have been and will never be… and finally, there were no awkward silences. This thing could really work. I just wasn't sure how long it would last. What would it be like once Cole and Giselle joined us?

Jason took me out of my thoughts that instant by inviting all of us on an overnight tour around the coast. His parents had booked a private catamaran to take us out to sea and show us Santorini from a different angle. While I'm not a fan of being stranded in the ocean, this will be much more fun.

We all practically shoved each other to get back to our rooms and gather our belonging for the short trip. I didn't really need to pack much because I already had everything neatly organized in my bag. I just threw on a bathing suit and a cover over top, a hat, and some sunglasses.

We all met Jason at the lobby about thirty minutes later and took the trip together down to the port. If I hadn't gotten my work out in during the morning, then this trip sure would have done that. There were too many steps to keep count. It wasn't so bad as we descended, but I knew my thighs would be on fire when we attempted to go back to our room tomorrow.

The yacht was beautiful, but I couldn't help feeling a little out of place.

I wasn't used to the extravagant lifestyle. Jason's parents had recently come into money and they were sparing no expenses when it came to celebrating their only child.

The yacht was decked out with teak floors and furniture, the most comfortable lounging seats, strips of light lining every groove and step, and a television— because what else are you going to do on a boat than watch tv?

I didn't really know where to look. The catamaran was almost as beautiful as the island itself. This was luxury.

There were three private quarters aboard, two were taken by the two couples, and the third one was available for Zack, Tommy, and I to fight over. There was no fight, though. Tommy and Zack offered the room to me without a second thought. They planned on sleeping on the couch.

After leaving our things in our rooms downstairs, we took a quick tour of where we were staying for the next 24 hours.

Trini and Aisha looped their arms around mine as we squealed at every new thing we discovered. Windows lined the interior, giving us views upon views from any seat inside.

The tour had its crew that included the captain, deckhand, a private chef, bartender, and a few stewardessess. It seemed a bit excessive to have so many people to run the ship, but I know nothing about sailing so I'm not the best to speak on this.

"And you're marrying into this?" Aisha whispered to Trini as we took a tour around.

"When he finally decides to stop putting it off and proposes, yes," Trini grinned, that star-eyed gaze overtaking her.

It took her and Jason a long time to get back together. For one reason or another, they kept fighting what was so evident to the rest of us. I don't know how much time they wasted pretending that what was there wasn't much more than a friendship.

The guys were trailing behind us, and by their reaction, they were just as impressed as we were.

The captain and crew introduced themselves and gave us a quick overview of what to expect on the trip. A few nods and safety lessons later, we disembarked and headed west.

I went to the bar and grabbed a quick white wine to help me unwind. I knew I would want to get in the water once we got to the hot springs, so I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't have too much alcohol in my system by then. I met Zack who I thought had the same intentions, but when I saw him at the bar again later, I realized that drinking the entire supply was more his style. He had a freshly capped beer in his hand and the widest smile I've seen from him thus far. He was like a kid at his first frat party. This was right up his alley. If any one of us could get used to this lifestyle, it would be him.

I went out to the bow of the catamaran, which I learned meant the front of the boat, and planted myself in one of the oversized sectional next to Trini and Aisha. The guys had made the stern or back of the boat, their sanctuary.

My bathing suit cover came off right as we set sail. I'd been living inside an office for the last eight years, and although I live in California, I don't get much sun. I made a mental note to hit the sunbathing net in a few hours so that I could get my proper tan.

"So are you ready to spill now?" Trini peeked at me over her oversized sunglasses.

I knew exactly what she was talking about.

"There's not much to discuss," I shrugged, "We talked, he apologized, and we agreed to give our friendship another go. I'm almost thirty. I think it's time to let some teenage relationship go already. I've moved on and so has he."

"Right," Aisha snorted, adjusting her glasses. "Because you two have clearly always been the best of friends."

"We were great friends before we ever even started dating… hell, before that was ever even a thought in my mind."

"Um, excuse me?" Trini scoffed, "I'm pretty sure you were picturing wedding bells when you first laid eyes on him. I don't think a relationship with him was ever not on your mind."

"I was a dumb fifteen-year-old. I thought I was going to marry Luke Perry!"

Our laugh came out without giving us the option to suppress it. What the hell was I thinking back then?

"Anyway, we went on a run this morning and it was one of the easiest things I think I've ever done. I forgot how much fun I always had with Tommy."

"Uh-huh," Aisha smirked, "and you think you'll continue this once Cole and Giselle get here?"

"I think so," I bit my lip. I honestly wasn't so sure. I've never really seen Tommy with another woman before.

From what I seem to recall, his relationship with Kat wasn't anything serious. It hurt when I found out they were dating, but deep down I wasn't ever really threatened by it.

Katherine and I laughed about it one time over drinks. She swears it was some lingering spell from Rita that she couldn't wash off that lead to her relationship with Tommy.

"Well, I'm so glad you're so confident," Aisha took a sip of her drink, "I can't even imagine having my current boyfriend and my ex-boyfriend in the same room."

"But you're forgetting that Tommy and I are mature adults," I grinned because even I didn't exactly believe that.

"Whatever you say," she giggled.

Trini bumped Aisha's shoulder, "Come on, be supportive. If Kim says that it's no issue then we have to believe her."

"But I'm not blind nor stupid," Aisha chuckled, and then turned towards me, "but I'm all for it. If you say you two are good then I'm happy for you."

She raised her glass in the air, "May the rest of this vacation lead to new beginnings."

I cheered to that and clinked my glass with hers and Trini.

We sailed around for a few hours and the views got even more breathtaking. Along one side of the island was a cliffside that was bright red, which painted a startling contrast to the vibrancy of the blue water crashing to the shore.

I thought about reaching for my camera but decided against it.

The bartender had informed us that it was due to the history of the volcanic activity on the island. It was then that I realized we were practically floating around the mouth of a fucking volcano. I knew the history, or some of it at least, but not the details as the crew described it to us. This beautiful island had been a product of an eruption some thousands of years ago.

I reached for my drink once again to calm my nerves. While it's currently dormant, the waves of activity spike up every few decades.

I went back outside while the rest of the group picked at some of the appetizers the chef had prepared for us. I wasn't in the mood to eat, and adding the addition of the motion of the yacht, I felt that anything going into my stomach would likely be evicted.

I laid down on the sunbathing area at the bow of the ship. It was a tight net that was open to the water below, allowing for small splashes to cool us while we relaxed. It quickly became my favorite spot on the entire boat.

My body rocked back and forth as we anchored down. We were in the caldera, just off the coast of the island. I heard splashes in the distance, telling me that everyone was jumping into the water. The net became like a waterbed, slowly rolling me from side to side. I could get used to this.

I wasn't alone for more than a few minutes before I heard the soft footsteps of someone coming my way.

"Hey," I heard Trini's soft voice.

The net beside me moved a little bit as she settled next to me.

There was silence for a moment but I knew that wouldn't last long.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm fine," I answered. I think that was the truth.

"You were just kind of quiet."

I smiled, "I needed a drink after some of that information."

"I think we all did," She giggled but then turned serious once again, "Are you sure that's all?"

I think so. I mean, it has to be, doesn't it? The conversation I had with Aisha and Trini earlier didn't sit right with me, but I've had this sinking feeling in my stomach long before that.

Part of it had to do with not telling Cole about Tommy, but that isn't that big of an issue. At least I don't think it is.

"Am I making a mistake?" The words came out of me before I had a chance to process them. "Beings friends with Tommy and everything?"

Trini propped herself up on her elbows to look at me. "No, I think this is great. I want this for you two."

"But what about when Cole and Giselle get here?" I don't know who was speaking, but it definitely wasn't me.

"Are you worried about how Cole will react?"

Was I? I shook my head. "How I will react once I meet Giselle."

"Oh, I don't think you have anything to worry about, Kim." She dismissed me with her hand like she knew something that I didn't.

"Why?"

"Because everyone likes you," She adjusted her glasses and laid back down.

That wasn't what I meant, exactly. I wasn't afraid of being liked by Giselle. I mean, I already don't like her and I hadn't even met her. My dislike had everything to do with the fact that she fit the role in Tommy's life that I thought I would have… although, that's irrelevant since I have my own boyfriend.

"I guess I just don't know what to expect."

"She's very nice… I think you two will get along just fine."

"Yeah…" I didn't believe her. "I guess we just haven't had the chance to talk about any of this. I mean, Tommy and I just agreed to give this friendship another go."

It'd been like five hours!

"I get it," She nodded, "I had to deal with Jason and Emily, remember?"

That was probably Trini's lowest point and I'm still pissed at Jason over it. Emily was a demon in disguise and Jason refused to see it because she was tall and with a head of blonde hair. He had dated Emily after he and Trini decided to part ways the first time.

"I know that was hard for you."

"It was, but only because Emily was a real bitch to me and only me," She shook her head like she was remembering the torture. "I don't think Giselle will be like that."

"I guess I won't know until I meet her," I shrugged.

"And if for whatever reason, she's a complete dick, you let me know…" Trini then lowered her voice and whispered to me, "they'll never find her body."

"Everyone needs a friend that will help you cover up a murder," I giggled.

She brushed her shoulder with mine, "And that's me, babe."

The weight in my stomach lightened up a little but didn't completely diminish.

"Can you please just tell me that she's hideous."

"I will risk jail time but I will not lie to you," Her brows furrowed. "She's very pretty."

"One to ten?" I bit at my lip.

She remained quiet for a moment, as if she was trying to place her in the right spot. "She was in last years issue of Spains Sports Illustrated.

Fuck.

I threw my hands up, "oh, so a twenty!"

"Twenty-one," she grimaced. "but you… you're easily a twenty-five, so there's no competition. Not that it was ever even a thought of yours."

"No, of course not," I answered quickly.

"Because you have Cole."

"Because I have Cole." I don't know why I needed to repeat it.

"And because you and Tommy are just friends."

"And because Tommy and I are just friends," I nodded.

"Good."

"Great."

"Perfect."

"Fantastic."

I couldn't wait to meet the girl that warmed his cold heart.

Author note: more to come soon :) So happy to hear you're enjoying it!