The living room is full of arguing and joking voices, when Joe and I walk in. The TV is playing softly in the background, everyone is around the dining table. They are playing some board game, Nick and Kevin having a good natured argument about some rule. Mrs. Lucas looks up and smiles, 'I put your supper outside on the patio.'

She looks over to the two arguing brothers and smile apologetically, 'sorry about this lot, it runs in the family, major competitiveness…'

I smile consciously and walk through the glass doors, and take a deep breath. The stars are out and never has a Capetonian evening looked so breathtaking. Perhaps it was just due to the gorgeous person who has wrapped his arms around me and starts humming a tune in my ear.

I blush and nervously look over my shoulder at his family inside. I find all seven pairs of eyes on us and they all guiltily look away as Joe says loudly, 'I know what you guys are doing. Go back to what you were doing.'

I giggle at that and untangle myself from him, 'let's eat. I am starving.'

I sit down by the table and lift up the dome on the trolley.

Smiling at his perfect taste in food, I put the platter of snacks on the table and help myself to some cold meats, some cheese and some vegetables. I can feel Joe's gaze on me. I look up to find him leaning against the railing, arms crossed with a goofy smile on his face.

'Want a piece?' I ask holding out a piece of cheese.

He walks over and takes a little bite, his lips lingering on my fingers a little longer than necessary, my heart starts beating just a bit faster.

Glancing over to his family, making sure they are not looking, he places a couple of sensual kisses down my jaw and nuzzles my neck for a moment before he sits down and digs into the food with gusto.

I smile as I nibble from my plate, as he chews on a carrot stick.

I ask him about his life in the States and he animatedly tells me about some of the places he has lived, how he and his brothers got started in the music business, and some of the cool places they have played concerts. His eyes are lit up and I can see how much he loves what he does. Whenever he talks about his brothers and parents, his voice is filled with love and respect.

My heart swells with emotion as I get up to pour him a glass of apple juice; he nods a thanks though his words, stopping every so often for a bite of something.

A while later he stops talking abruptly, blushing slightly, 'I am sorry, I am talking your ears off.'

'No,' I shake my head, 'it's lovely to hear you talk.'

He smiles and leans back looking out at the ocean, 'this is perfect – good food, sharing a perfect view with a beautiful girl and she doesn't mind me talking a mile a minute. When will I wake up from this dream?'

He looks up at me and I hold out my hand, he takes it and runs his fingers over my palm.

He is staring into my eyes and there is nowhere else I would rather be…

I notice someone standing at the glass door and as I look up, Kevin clears his throat, 'Joe, Dad is taking Mom dancing – do you want to take their place in 30 seconds?'

Joe looks at me and I nod, 'it may be fun.' He shrugs his shoulders, and smile at his brother, 'two minutes, Kev.'

He pulls me up and hugs me fiercely before he says, 'you may be taking your life in your own hands, and it can get pretty nasty playing board games with the Lucas'…'

Smiling he continues, 'but I love you for attempting it.'

His face becomes serious, and I joke, trying to break the tension that is building up between us at his words. 'Oh, you haven't seen me and my mad games skills, Marshmallow boy…' pecking his cheek and walking back into the palatial hotel living room, I take my seat as the noise of the table sweeps over me. Daniella gives me a wink and a smile, as Joe sits next to me. Nick starts reading out the rules and the games begin…

………………

After a dozen rounds of 30 seconds, Joe and I were tied with Nick and Frankie. I conceded the title of champion to the other team, as Frankie was yawning. He was dead on his feet but still willing to play another tie-breaker round.

Kevin and his girlfriend were snuggling on one of the couches and were watching a movie.

I saw it was What Dreams May Come, I walk over and sit on the armrest of the other couch and sigh, 'I love this movie, and the colour imagery of the movie, brings out the romantic in me…'

Joe sat on the couch and patted the space between his legs, 'come on, beautiful. Let's get romantic together.' He wiggles his eyebrows and Kevin makes a gagging noise from the other side of the coffee table.

'Is that your best line, Joe? Dude, your game is weak.' Daniella giggles into the elder brother's shoulder before turning her attention back to the movie.

I lean back into his chest and he starts playing with my hair. The tips of his fingers shot tiny sparks of electricity into my scalp, which travel down my neck and disperse to the rest of my body.

When the movie ended, Kevin had made their way to bed and we sat in silence. My mind was screaming a question I had to ask but was too afraid to…

I shifted my body so that I was lying on top of him, face to face. He has his eyes closed and a smile on his face.

'Joe…?' I started.

'Hmmm?' he opened his eyes and I can see a little worry frown creeping between his eyes.

'When do you go back? To LA I mean…' my voice I barely audible with the pain that is growing in my chest, I try to swallow it away, but it just get worse.

I know he heard me when his sighs and looks up at the ceiling.

'Tomorrow evening is our flight back to LA.' He says in a dead voice. 'I wish I had met you earlier… I wish you lived on the same continent as me… I wish…'

I put a finger to his lips and he opens his eyes, I can see a couple of tears in the corners. I smile and lean in to wipe a stray one that has escaped down his cheek. Taking his face in my hands, I kiss him gently before saying, 'we could wish for a lot of things, but if we have so little time, I would rather spend it on enjoying each other's company.'

Leaning my head against his chest, I can hear his heart's soft drumbeat, wondering… If he listened to my heart right now; would he be able to hear it breaking.