A/N: Another quick chapter!

Maybe most another later if i have time too before work! I could be convinced ;-)

Enjoy!

Joey's POV

I checked my phone for what must have been the 20th time in the last 10 minutes and sighed as there was no reply from Lauren. I'd messed things up, she didn't want to talk to me and she probably thought I was an idiot. Eurgh. I quickly got changed and headed down to breakfast hoping I could talk to her there, she can't ignore me in person.. can she?

I reached the restaurant to find everyone waiting for me, apart from Lauren and Abi.

'Al, where's Lauren this morning?' I asked my sister trying not to sound too suspicious.

'She's not feeling too good, feels sick I think' she replied as we all headed in for breakfast.

My heart sank as I knew she was avoiding me. I fetched out my phone and typed another message.

Lauren we need to talk, you can't avoid me forever… please don't. You shocked me, that is all. Look I need to tell you all this in person, so please come and see me. I'll be waiting, but please please come. Joey xx

We made our way into the restaurant for breakfast but I wasn't able to shake the guilt off of me. Why was this so difficult? Not just for Lauren, for me too? I'd never even come close to loving a girl before, it was always just one night stands, this was different. I couldn't explain my feelings and that is why when it came to it, I froze.

'Joe, you okay?' Alice nudged me as we sat down, 'you're miles away' I turned to look at her and gave her a false smile.

'Yeah, sorry just tired' I lied and began to eat my food.

'Abs, where's Lauren?' Tanya questioned her youngest daughter as she walked in the restaurant and sat down opposite her. I brought my head up slightly and looked at Abi.

'She said she wasn't feeling too good, she said not to worry though Mum' Abi reassured her, she caught my glance and stared at me for a few seconds. Did she know?

'Joey, do you mind doing me a favour?' Tanya turned to her nephew. I shook my head as I swallowed the last of my breakfast. 'Go and check on Lauren? I know she said not to worry but I can't help, not what she's like.'

'Erm, okay.' I replied as I stood up.

'Mum I'm sure she's fine,' Abi tried to persuade her. I turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow before turning and leaving to see Lauren.

Lauren's POV.

I'd decided to go for a shower, to freshen myself up and try and get rid of the embarrassment I felt after last night. Just as I made my way out of the bathroom there was a knock at the door. Quickly throwing a t-shirt on I ran to the door.

'Abi, I told you I'm not com..' I stopped as I became face to face with Joey looking directly at me. 'Oh, hi' I managed to whisper.

'Your mum wanted me to check on you' Joey said quietly, neither of us moving away from the door.

'Just my mum then, doesn't surprise me.' I snapped, bowing my head and refusing to look at him.

'What?' Joey asked, with a trace of hurt in his voice.

'Nothing' I said quickly. This is the conversation I wanted to avoid, I could feel everything was going to come out. I was going to admit everything to him and make a bigger fool out of myself.

'Can I come in?' He asked, never taking his eyes off me.

'Why?' I snapped back.

'Don't you think we need to talk?' I allowed myself to look up at him, his eyes telling me nothing. Even when he was so vulnerable he'd put on this mask, a mask to hide his softer side I'd met so many times during this holiday, the side I'd fallen in love with.

'I have nothing else to say Joey. 'I think I managed to put my foot in it last night, don't you?' I argued.

'Lauren wait, let me ex-' Joey began to say.

'No, you don't understand Joey. I have never opened up to anyone other than my older brother. He was my rock, I'd tell him everything and he wouldn't judge me. Yes, I understand that is different and I'm not looking to refill the hole he left when he died because it's different with you. But this holiday I've let you in, I've cried in front of you Joey. I have never done that. I am so vulnerable when I'm with you because the way you make me feel. Admitting that to you last night was massive and I mean huge, I've never admitted to loving anyone, purely because I've never been in love. Peter, an ex, was different we were too young. But I don't even know what this is! I could kick myself for letting myself love you because to you this is clearly nothing, just a bit of fun. I've fallen straight into the trap, head first with no safety net. No one to catch me and quite honestly it's killing me.' I ranted, exhaling a long breath afterwards.

We both stood in silence as he absorbed my words and I came to terms with my feelings. I loved him, and he knew. I wasn't ashamed anymore, I was hurt that he'd let me fall when he obviously didn't intend on feeling the same way. I bravely looked up at him, trying to work out what he was thinking. He reached his hand up and brushed a piece of hair away from my face cupping my cheek as he did.

'Let me catch you Lauren, please.' He whispered before stepping a lot closer, his eyes never moving from mine. He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine gently. I gasped before kissing him back just as gently as I felt his hands slide down my sides to my waist. We both pulled away breathless from a single kiss, the power we had over each other so different from anything we'd felt before.

'I'm sorry Lauren, about last night. I was shocked, I didn't know how to react when I knew. I was scared because I knew it was more than just a bit of fun, which is completely new for me. I didn't mean to hurt you.' Joey admitted, his hands still resting on my waist. I nodded slowly at him, forcing a small smile. 'I don't want to be one of the things you're running away from Lauren.' He smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders.

'I only ran because I was embarrassed, knowing you didn't feel the same. I felt stupid.' I admitted bowing my head.

'The other night, when we saw Rick and you went outside-' He began to say before I interrupted.

'I heard you say you loved me,' I told him, still refusing to look him in the eye. He reached for my chin and pulled my head up so my eyes met his. He nodded and smiled before tilting his head slightly.

'Then how could you doubt me? I didn't even know you were listening. If I'm honest I hoped you hadn't heard when you reached my side but only because I wasn't ready.' Joey whispered, wanting me to understand every word.

'Last night, you said nothing' He entwined both of our hands and dropped them to our sides.

'I told you, it shocked me. I never thought you'd love me Lauren, never thought I stood a chance with you. You're incredible and any guy would be so lucky to call you his. I handled it badly I know, but it changes nothing.' Joey sighed before continuing. 'I love you. I do. If I'm completely honest, I did from the moment I met you, I just didn't know it. You captivated me, feisty and beautiful. But Lauren, this holiday and the time I spent with you, I wouldn't change any of it. Okay, I would but only to prevent you from hurting. I'd do anything to protect you and the other night when I found you with Rick, my heart broke. I've never had that Lauren, you've completely changed me and that night was when I realised I loved you.' He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it gently.

I didn't know what to say, I was completely speechless. Tears started to form in my eyes and blinking caused them to flow.

'Hey, don't cry' Joey reached up and wiped my tears away and kissed my forehead.

'Did you mean that?' I whispered looking up at him. He nodded and smiled at me reassuringly. I leaned onto my tip-toes and kissed him gently, wrapping my arms around his neck. He reciprocated the kiss and I felt him smile into it. We both pulled away breathless after a while longer, a smile sweeping my face. 'So what now?'

'Whatever you want baby, I'm not going to rush you to admit anything to anyone, I'm just glad we talked. I don't want to lose you Lo,' He told me as I felt thumb brush over mine comfortingly.

'I just want this to work Joey,' I admitted with a small smile.

'And it will, I wont hurt you' Joey told me before leaning and kissing the top of my head.

'So today?' I asked blushing slightly.

'I think your dad was talking about a day shopping. Fancy spending all my money?' He joked, leaning in and kissing me quickly.

'As tempting as that sounds, I'd rather it just be me and you' I admitted blushing once again.

'Perfect' he replied. 'Anyway, you need to eat so come down and join the family, we have both neglected them somewhat this holiday. I believe that is your fault Branning, you are too tempting to ignore' he winked at me, whilst I got changed.

'You said it, not me' I winked back as I put my shoes on and went to stand next to him.

'I think I preferred you without clothes baby,' he whispered in my ear just before I slapped his arm playfully.

'You were the one who decided I needed to eat, I would have been quite happy to stay here…' I teased walking out of my hotel room waiting for him to catch up.

'Later' he whispered seductively in my ear as we made our way downstairs.