When we arrived in the kitchen, I was able to find enough ingredients to create a simple beef udon for the boys. Tamaki rejoined us as everything cooked.

"Where did you learn to cook, Lori?" Kyoya asked.

"When did you learn to cook?" Tamaki questioned. I had never had much of an interest in the kitchen as a kid, but after my mom died I had to learn to take care of myself. That, or starve. But I couldn't tell them that. Not yet at least.

"When I first started touring I had to stay in shape. So it was either learn to cook healthy meals for myself, or eat fast food with everyone and then spend hours working out to work off the calories. I really like to eat and I really don't like hours on a treadmill." I laughed, convincing myself it was only a half-lie. "I did make sure at the end of every tour that the whole team got together for a potluck dinner where everyone could bring their favorite dishes, but only if they were willing to share the recipe with me!" The egg-timer dinged signaling that the food was ready. I plated everything for the boys and we sat together at the formal dining table. I sat facing the large windows that overlooked the beach below, trying to contain my excitement.

"Do you want to go for a walk on the beach after dinner, Lori?" Tamaki asked, clearly reading my mind. I've always loved the beach and he was well aware of that.

"If it's not too dark, I'd love to!" I smiled. "I might need to change first though. I look a little too corporate for a beach." I was still in my interview clothes which made me look a little bit like a temp or an assistant.

"I think you look like a beautiful CEO ready to take over the world." Tamaki told me. I tried to stop my face from heating up.

"Tamaki, Kyoya said your guests aren't coming until tomorrow. You don't have to be in host mode with me." I laughed off his compliment.

"Host mode!?" Tamaki cried, "This is just how I am!"

"Dramatic." I laughed and rolled my eyes. We finished dinner as my friend continued to dramatically explain how there was no such thing as a host mode and how he was just a gentleman trying to pay a compliment to a lovely lady. I mostly ignored him and made polite conversation with Kyoya. I cleaned up their plates — they're pretty helpless with housework, to be honest — and allowed Tamaki to show me where my room was. Kyoya opted out of the beach walk and left us to our devices. I assumed Tamaki had been here several times already with the familiar way he walked through the halls.

"I'll get changed quickly." I told him when we stopped in front of my door. As I turned away to open the door, he suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me. I felt as though a lightning bolt raced up my arm, originating from where his hand held mine.

"Lori…" He started, looking down at our hands, "You… You know there's no host mode, right? I'm not… putting on airs or trying to deceive you. You know that, right?" I didn't realize my comment had affected him so much. I moved my free hand to his cheek, marveling at how warm his skin was. His eyes raised to meet mine.

"Of course, I know that. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, I was just joking around." I told him. Without replying, he pulled me close to him, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. My hand that had been on his cheek was suddenly lost in his soft hair. All of my senses were overwhelmed by him. I wanted us to be as physically close as possible. I wanted to know what every inch of him felt like. I wanted to know what he tasted like. It was like I was addicted to him.

He pulled away suddenly. I caught a glimpse of his red face before he turned away from me.

"Y–you should get changed before it gets dark." He stuttered out quickly. "I'll be right here."

"O–ok." I squeaked quietly, slipping into my room. I pressed my back against the closed door, trying to take deep breaths to calm my racing heart. I don't think I've ever felt like this. Not even when I was dating and thought I was in love with another man. This feeling… this can't be love. He's my best friend. I can't lose him. And he couldn't love me. Not if he knew everything.

I shook the thought from my head and made my way to the bag that the Suoh staff must have packed for me. I pulled out a long flowing sundress and a pair of sandals that I could easily slip on and off to walk in the sand barefoot. I took a look at myself in the mirror and cleaned off the smudged studio makeup the best I could. I left my hair down so I could hopefully hide behind it if I couldn't get my blushing under control.

"Ready!" I smiled as I opened the door to meet my friend — only a friend! — in the hall. I found Tamaki leaning against the wall with a hand over his heart, gripping his shirt. He jumped to stand up straight when he processed me standing there.

"Let's go!" He grinned back at me, leading me out of the house to the beach.

Tamaki's Point of View

What the hell is wrong with me?

I can't seem to stop myself when I'm near her. I just want to hold her close. To protect her. To keep her all to myself. But it's even more than that. When she joked about host mode… I felt so saddened. I couldn't live with myself if she thought I wasn't being genuine with her. And then when she told me it was a joke… the relief I felt was overwhelming. I couldn't stop myself from hugging her.

Every touch we share is like fireworks going off in my skin. Does she feel it, too? That feeling of her hand in my hair almost drove me over the edge. The edge of what, I'm not quite sure. But I knew if I didn't pull away from her when I did, I wouldn't have at all. And she wants to see the beach. Her favorite place to be is on a beach.

I watched as she raced ahead of me through the sand, shoes in hand, to dip her feet in the water. In my mind, I can see myself running to catch up with her. We stand in the warm sand as the cold water rushes over our feet. I tuck some of her long hair behind her ear, leaving my hand on her cheek, and she blushes. I lean down slowly and she raises up on her toes until our lips are about to touch…

"Tamaki! The water is so much colder than I thought it would be! You're missing it!" Her voice cut through my daydream, pulling me back to reality. She's my best friend. Why can't I stop dreaming of kissing her?

"That was exactly what I said when I first came here! I thought it'd be so much warmer!" I called back to her as I jogged to meet her. When I got close, she quickly ducked down and cupped water in her hands before hauling it in my direction. The cold droplets took me by surprise as they hit my face and arms.

"Gotcha!" She laughed, leaning down to splash me again.

"Oh no, you don't!" I chuckled, rushing to get back at her. She screamed in delight as I tried to splash water at her before she took off running slowly away along the waterline. I chased after her, catching up quickly, and scooped her off the ground. She was so light in my arms.

"Ok! Ok! Truce!" She squealed. "You win! Don't drop me!" I took a few steps further into the water, acting as though I might drop her in the cold water.

"Oh no, I think I'm losing my balance." I teased, taking a few fake stumbling steps. She wrapped her arms around my neck tightly.

"Don't do it!" She begged through her laughter. I held her close and took her safely back to shore. She was still giggling when I set her down. I couldn't help but smile at her as I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. She blushed. I wanted my daydream to play itself out, but I couldn't let that happen. I took a step away from her to stop myself.

"Which way do you want to walk?" I asked her, smiling down at her red face. She smiled back before gently taking my hand in hers and leading the way down the beach. Her hand felt so small in mine. She was so delicate.

"You're going to have to lead us back though! I don't know if I'll be able to tell any of these homes apart!" She said.

"Don't worry," I told her, "I'll take care of you."