** Another romance chapter with 4500+ words, as I die a little on the insides slowly.
Sigh , I should call her đ
***
The sun had fully vanished beyond the horizon, leaving a trail of twilight that cast a soft indigo glow over the coast. As Adriano and Kate stepped into the hotel lobby, their bare feet brushing the cool marble floor, the day's heat lingered only in memory.
Amber lights flickered along the high walls, illuminating the airy space in gentle golden hues. The breeze drifting in through the open atrium carried with it the mingled scents of salt, gardenia, and something faintly citrusy from the bar. The peaceful hum of the place was a stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted just that morning.
After they reached the lobby , they were greeted with the concerned faces of Sophia and Lucy. Sophia immediately linked arms with Kate as they made their way to the elevator bank, her dark curls bouncing with every step.
"I still can't believe what happened this morning," she whispered, her tone half-amused, half-dramatic. " Adriano's ex Olyvia showing up like thatâlike some Spanish soap opera villain. I swear, the only thing missing was a slap and a thunderclap."
Kate snorted softly. "Honestly? I was expecting both."
Lucy, a step behind them, chuckled and shook her head. "TV shows at least have better lighting and script. But I gotta say, you two handled it like pros. No punches, no hair-pullingâclassy and terrifying." She shot Adriano a wink. "And that lawyer guy? Paul? Man knew how to make an entrance."
Adriano exhaled, running a hand through his hair. " "Yeah. He definitely had a flair for the dramatic entrance." He nodded to Kate. "Thank you both for having my back. I know I put you through a lot today."
Kate reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. "You're worth it. But next time we go on vacation? Let's maybe skip the ex-girlfriend sabotage plots?"
He laughed, squeezing her hand. "Deal."
Upstairs, the adjoining suite felt like a private sanctuaryâits airy design and soft lighting a balm after the day's intensity. Two spacious bedrooms flanked a shared living room decorated in coastal tones: driftwood-gray floors, abstract seascape paintings, and oversized linen sofas. The concierge had gone all outâfruit platters, sparkling water bottles on ice, mini key lime pies, and delicate guava pastries sat on the low coffee table, alongside a handwritten note wishing them a more peaceful evening.
The four of them collapsed onto the couch, limbs tangled and laughter rising as they began to settle in.
Sophia wasted no time. She tore into a papaya danish and looked at Adriano expectantly. "Alright. Spill. What the hell actually happened up there?"
Adriano leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Okay, picture this: I'm trying to finish breakfast. Kate's off getting her wrap or whatever, and suddenly there's this server I don't recognize, handing me a drink I didn't order." His voice dropped a little. "It was Olyvia. In a wig. She tried to corner me, claimed she was pregnant, demanded money."
Lucy's eyebrows flew up. "Seriously?"
Kate picked up the story, her tone sharper. "When I saw her, I knew something was off. She tried to guilt-trip him, claimed it was his baby, that she needed hush money. I called her out on the lie, and she got physical. Tried to block the exit."
"And that's when Paul walked in like some HBO character," Adriano added. "Cease-and-desist letter in hand, security on his heels, shutting her down mid-rant. She didn't even have time to argue before she was hauled out."
"Jesus," Sophia whispered, wide-eyed. "She really thought that was going to work?"
Adriano shrugged. "I think she was banking on causing a scene. But heyâdrama's over. Hopefully."
Lucy got up and peered out the large windows overlooking the glittering pool courtyard. "Well, at least it's behind you now. You can finally breathe."
"Yeah, about thatâŠ" Adriano said, glancing at Kate. She met his eyes, gave a small nod, and gestured for him to go ahead.
"SoâŠ" he began.
Sophia cut him off, eyes gleaming. "Oh my God. Did you guys already do it?" She waggled her eyebrows playfully.
Kate choked mid-sip and sputtered into her drink, nearly doubling over.
Adriano chuckled, reaching over to rub her back. "You okay?"
Kate coughed a few more times, glaring at Sophia between gasps. "You totally did that on purpose. We've been on the beach all day! You don't say stuff like that when someone's drinking!"
Lucy added helpfully, "Well, People do it on the beach all the time, though."
Adriano laughed, throwing his head back. "You two are chaos incarnate. But noâwe didn't. We're not fans of getting sand... everywhere. What we were going to say is... we've decided to give this a real shot. Me and Kate. We're together."
Sophia squealed and threw her arms around Kate, squeezing her tightly. "Aww! My little Kate is all grown up! First love, then drama, now dating a football starâwhat a journey!"
Lucy grinned, joining in for a hug. "Called it. From day one. You guys had that look. I'm just glad you figured it out before someone else tried to throw another wine glass."
Adriano raised a brow. "Let's not tempt fate." He then added, " We are keeping it low-key for now, so we'd appreciate if you guys kept it secret until we announce it."
Lucy replied with a thinking posture, " Hmm, we might do that, but how many match tickets should we extort from you in return, I wonder."
Kate leaned forward, a conspiratorial smile curling on her lips. "Which brings me to our next plans. Tonightâwe're off to the Florida Keys. We've booked a little escape. Just the two of us. Snorkeling, sailing⊠and zero drama. Adriano even chartered us a yacht for tomorrow afternoon."
Sophia dramatically clutched her chest. "A yacht? Okay, Kate. Go full romance novel on us."
Lucy laughed. "You better send us pictures. Actually, noâsend us 'safe for work' pictures."
Kate rolled her eyes, but the sparkle in them was unmistakable. She glanced at Adriano, who was already looking at her, a soft smile on his face.
"Just you and me out on the water, sailing on a yacht," he said quietly.
She nodded. "Exactly how it should be."
Sophia's eyes lit up. "Oh, Adriano, you're spoiling her already! You've been promoted from celebrity crush to caring boyfriend."
Lucy rolled her eyes playfully. "I hope it's not one of those party yachts blasting EDM all day."
Adriano grinned. "Not at all. Something sleek and elegant. Champagne on ice, quiet lounges, and a captain who knows the best hidden coves."
"Sounds divine," Lucy said, raising her glass. "To Florida Keysâand leaving worries behind for a new future."
They clinked bottles and settled into easy conversation: gossip about Kate's upcoming roles, Sophia's new yoga studio opening in Miami, Lucy's search for a fresh script idea, and Adriano's preseason schedule . By the time the clock struck midnight, they were yawning, and suitcases were being zipped shut.
Adriano and Kate took the next flight in order to reach their destination. By the time they reached , it was late night . They just freshened up and went to sleep , to rest for ther day dull of activities tomorrow.
***
The next morning dawned in a wash of coral and gold. Light filtered through gauzy curtains, and the gentle hum of ceiling fans mingled with distant waves.
Adriano slipped quietly from the bedroom to the kitchen area, brewed a pot of strong coffee, and returned with steaming mugs. Kate appeared in the doorway in a white tank top and denim shorts, her hair tousled but eyes bright.
"Morning," she whispered, planting a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Morning," he replied, handing her the coffee. "Ready for snorkeling?"
She nodded eagerly. "I've got my reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and new GoPro. Let's go."
By 9:00 AM, Adriano and Kate stood at the edge of the dock, the scent of salt and sun-warmed wood thick in the air. The early morning haze had burned away, revealing a sky so blue it seemed to shimmer. They were both half-laughing, half-grumbling as they struggled into snug wetsuitsâAdriano yanking at a stubborn sleeve while Kate hopped on one foot to get hers over her heel.
"This thing is basically a second skin," Kate muttered, tugging her zipper up with a grunt.
Adriano smirked. "You sure it's not just your tiny feet causing the problem?"
She gave him a mock glare. "I will push you off the boat, just so we're clear."
The boat captain, Ramonâa weathered man with shoulders like a dock piling and sun-bleached hair tied back in a stubby ponytailâmet them by the boat. "You two ready for some magic?" he asked, his voice gravelly and smooth all at once.
Adriano glanced at Kate, who was already adjusting her mask and flashing a grin. "We were born ready."
The vessel was a sleek 30-foot center-console boat, outfitted with oxygen tanks, neatly coiled lines, and a cooler packed with drinks and snacks. As they pushed off from the dock and picked up speed, the breeze tousled Kate's hair and carried the tang of salt across her skin. She leaned back against the side of the boat, closing her eyes for a moment.
"This already feels like the best decision I've made all week," she said, lifting her face to the sun.
Adriano leaned against the console beside her, arms crossed loosely over his chest. "Better than the time you impulse-bought that inflatable flamingo?"
"That flamingo is an icon," she said dryly. "Don't disrespect her legacy."
They both laughed, and for a while, the only sounds were the boat slicing through the water and the occasional cry of gulls overhead.
When they reached the reef, Ramon slowed the engine to a crawl, then killed it completely. The water around them turned a crystalline shade of turquoise, so clear that the coral below seemed only a few feet beneath the surface. Bright flashes of movement hinted at schools of fish darting through the reef.
"You're all set," Ramon said, nodding toward the tanks and gear.
Adriano helped Kate strap in her oxygen tank, adjusting the straps gently. She turned around and tightened his with practiced hands, fingers brushing his shoulder before pulling away.
"Ready?" he asked, his voice low.
Kate nodded. "Let's go meet some fish."
They slipped into the water with barely a splash and were instantly swallowed by a different world. The silence was soft and enveloping, broken only by the sound of their breathing and the occasional clink of gear. The reef spread out beneath them in a riot of colorâbranching coral in pinks, purples, and oranges, and fish that shimmered like living gemstones.
A pair of angelfish wove between their legs, followed by a cloud of tiny silver fish that parted like mist around them. Kate pointed excitedly as a sea turtle drifted into view, its flippers moving with the grace of silk underwater. Adriano followed its path, eyes wide behind his mask.
They swam together, side by side, sometimes close enough for their shoulders to brush, sometimes splitting off to explore nearby crevices before reuniting with a glance and a grin. At one point, Kate gestured toward a shadow in the coralâa lionfish, its spines fanned out in a delicate yet dangerous display. Adriano nodded, and they hovered for a moment in reverent silence before drifting away.
They surfaced after a long stretch, pulling out their mouthpieces and gasping with laughter.
"Did you see that turtle?" Kate said, treading water, her hair plastered back.
"It looked like it was judging me," Adriano said, brushing water from his eyes. "Probably thought I was trespassing."
Kate grinned. "You kind of were."
They climbed back onto the deck, dripping and exhilarated. Kate grabbed two smoothies from the cooler, tossing one to Adriano before collapsing on a towel.
"That was incredible," she said, staring up at the sky. "It felt like being in a dream."
"Better than the flamingo?" he asked, taking a long drink from the smoothie.
She glanced over at him, eyes shining. "Okay, almost."
They lay there for a while, quiet except for the gentle slap of water against the hull and the occasional call of a distant seabird. Adriano eventually sat up, shaking water from his hair.
"I'm glad it was just us today," he said, not looking at her.
Kate propped herself up on an elbow. "Yeah. Me too."
The silence between them then was not empty, but fullâof things unsaid, of salt and sunlight, and the kind of peace that only the sea seems to offer.
By noon, they were ravenous. The captain had anchored near a secluded sandbar, and they ate freshly made ceviche, guacamole with plantain chips, and grilled mahi-mahi tacos. Kate and Adriano fed each other bites of mango, their fingers brushing.
By noon, their stomachs were grumbling louder than the boat's motor. Ramon had steered them to a secluded sandbar, a stretch of pale golden sand rising like a secret oasis in the middle of the turquoise shallows. He dropped anchor in the still waters nearby, the boat rocking gently as Adriano and Kate climbed back onboard from their last dive.
Kate flopped onto a cushion with a satisfied sigh, water still dripping from her hair. "Okay, that was hands-down the best swim of my life. But now I need food before I start chewing on your wetsuit."
Adriano grinned, peeling off his fins. "Wouldn't taste nearly as good as what Ramon's got in that cooler."
Ramon chuckled as he opened up a large wooden crate he'd packed earlier. "Told you I'd take care of you two," he said, lifting out containers that released a mouthwatering blend of lime, spice, and smoke into the salty air.
They laid everything out picnic-style on the deckâbowls of bright ceviche brimming with fresh shrimp, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and onion; creamy guacamole flecked with chili; and a pile of grilled mahi-mahi tacos wrapped in soft corn tortillas. Plantain chips sat in a woven basket nearby, still warm and crisp.
Adriano handed Kate a taco, his fingers accidentally grazing hers. "Careful. This might ruin every other taco for you."
"I'm willing to take that risk," she said, biting into it and closing her eyes with a hum of approval. "God, that's *good*."
They ate with the ease of two people who'd forgotten the rest of the world existedâbare feet stretched out, salt drying on their skin, hair tousled from the sea. The sun was high overhead now, warming their backs as they leaned in close, dipping chips and sharing stories.
At one point, Kate sliced open a ripe mango and held out a piece. "Here. Try this oneâit's ridiculously sweet."
Adriano leaned forward and took it from her fingers, lips brushing her knuckle ever so slightly. His eyes lingered on hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.
She smirked. "Tastes better when I feed you, huh?"
"Definitely not complaining," he replied, plucking a slice of mango in return and holding it up. "Your turn."
Kate accepted the offering with a slow grin, their fingers brushing again, this time more intentionally. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the distant cries of seabirds, the lapping of waves against the hull, and the rhythmic thrum of their own hearts.
"Well," Kate said softly, licking a bit of juice from her thumb, "this day just keeps getting better."
Adriano leaned back, resting on his elbows, watching her. "Yeah. It really does."By noon, their stomachs were grumbling louder than the boat's motor.
Ramon had steered them to a secluded sandbar, a stretch of pale golden sand rising like a secret oasis in the middle of the turquoise shallows. He dropped anchor in the still waters nearby, the boat rocking gently as Adriano and Kate climbed back onboard from their last dive.
Kate flopped onto a cushion with a satisfied sigh, water still dripping from her hair. "Okay, that was hands-down the best swim of my life. But now I need food before I start chewing on your wetsuit."
Adriano grinned, peeling off his fins. "Wouldn't taste nearly as good as what Ramon's got in that cooler."
Ramon chuckled as he opened up a large wooden crate he'd packed earlier. "Told you I'd take care of you two," he said, lifting out containers that released a mouthwatering blend of lime, spice, and smoke into the salty air.
They laid everything out picnic-style on the deckâbowls of bright ceviche brimming with fresh shrimp, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and onion; creamy guacamole flecked with chili; and a pile of grilled mahi-mahi tacos wrapped in soft corn tortillas. Plantain chips sat in a woven basket nearby, still warm and crisp.
Adriano handed Kate a taco, his fingers accidentally grazing hers. "Careful. This might ruin every other taco for you."
"I'm willing to take that risk," she said, biting into it and closing her eyes with a hum of approval. "God, that's good."
They ate with the ease of two people who'd forgotten the rest of the world existedâbare feet stretched out, salt drying on their skin, hair tousled from the sea. The sun was high overhead now, warming their backs as they leaned in close, dipping chips and sharing stories.
At one point, Kate sliced open a ripe mango and held out a piece. "Here. Try this oneâit's ridiculously sweet."
Adriano leaned forward and took it from her fingers, lips brushing her knuckle ever so slightly. His eyes lingered on hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.
She smirked. "Tastes better when I feed you, huh?"
"Definitely not complaining," he replied, plucking a slice of mango in return and holding it up. "Your turn."
Kate accepted the offering with a slow grin, their fingers brushing again, this time more intentionally. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The only sounds were the distant cries of seabirds, the lapping of waves against the hull, and the rhythmic thrum of their own hearts.
"Well," Kate said softly, licking a bit of juice from her thumb, "this day just keeps getting better."
Adriano leaned back, resting on his elbows, watching her. "Yeah. It really does."
***
That afternoon, with the salt still clinging to their skin and the sun bronzing their shoulders, they rinsed off in the marina's open-air showersâstreams of cool water trickling down sun-warmed backs, laughter echoing between the walls. Kate slipped into a breezy cream sundress that fluttered in the wind, her hair damp and curling from the sea. Adriano rolled up the sleeves of a white linen shirt, his tanned forearms catching the light as he adjusted the buttons. There was an air of effortless elegance about them, like two characters from a summer novel stepping into their next chapter.
He reached for her hand and led her down the wooden gangplank, their sandals clacking softly against the weathered boards. Docked at the far end was a gleaming yachtâsleek, polished, and impossible to miss.
"The Seraphina, the best yacht they have, and our ride, Milady." Adriano said with a small smile.
Kate paused, eyes wide as she took in the deep navy hull and gleaming chrome accents. The decks were immaculate teak, gleaming beneath the sun. A white awning billowed softly at the aft, where a chilled bottle of rosé sat in a silver bucket beside a tray of dark chocolate truffles. Small vases of white orchids dotted the lounge, delicate and fragrant. Plush cushions beckoned.
Kate exhaled slowly. "Adriano⊠it's perfect."
He turned toward her, his gaze gentle but proud. "I wanted today to feel like a dream."
"It already does." She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheeks.
They stepped aboard, barefoot now, the teak cool beneath their feet. Adriano guided her toward the bow, where two chaise lounges faced the open water. As the yacht eased away from the dock with a quiet hum, Kate tilted her face toward the sun, then glanced back at the marinaânow growing smaller by the second.
The sea was a glassy expanse of aquamarine, rippling gently beneath the hull. A warm breeze teased strands of Kate's hair across her cheek, and she let them fall where they may. Adriano sat beside her, one arm draped casually along the backrest, the other reaching for her hand.
A steward emerged from below deck, crisp in his white uniform, bearing two tall glasses of rosé wine and a plate of strawberries dipped in glossy dark chocolate. "Let me know if there's anything else you need," he said with a slight bow.
Kate took a sip, her lips staining faintly pink. "This is unreal."
Adriano shifted closer, his voice low near her ear. "Good. I want you to forget the world exists for a little while."
She nestled against him, her head on his shoulder, legs curled up beneath her. "Mission accomplished."
The boat sliced through the water with graceful ease. Occasionally, dolphins surfaced nearby, leaping in pairs like acrobats in perfect rhythm. Manta rays drifted beneath them like slow-moving shadows, their wings casting fleeting silhouettes on the ocean floor. Jazz floated in soft notes from hidden speakersâpiano and saxophone weaving a backdrop for the easy rhythm of waves.
They spoke little. Words felt unnecessary.
Later, a light lunch appearedâchilled lobster salad folded gently into butter lettuce cups, heirloom tomatoes glistening atop bruschetta, and a carafe of cucumber-infused water beading with condensation. They picked at the food slowly, feeding each other between sips of wine and lazy conversation.
Kate traced the polished grain of the table with one finger. "Can I ask you something?"
Adriano looked up from his glass, eyes steady. "Anything."
"Promise me we'll always make time like this," she said, her voice barely louder than the wind. "No matter what happens, we'll keep carving out these little pieces of peace. Just us."
His gaze didn't waver. He reached for her hand, fingers threading through hers. "I promise."
There was something so simple and certain in the way he said it that she believed him, completely.
Kate leaned in and kissed himâunhurried, lingering. His hand came up to cradle her jaw, thumb brushing her cheek as he deepened the kiss with reverence, as though every second mattered. The sea stretched out endlessly around them, but in that moment, there was nowhere else either of them wanted to be.
When they finally pulled apart, both were smiling. Not the bright, touristy kind of smileâbut the soft, quiet kind that reflected their happiness.
As the afternoon wore on, the yacht's captain steered them toward a hidden cove fringed by mangroves. The water there was shallow and glassy. The Seraphina's anchor dropped, and a ladder descended for easy boarding. Adriano and Kate dove in together, hand in hand, and surfaced to find Sophia and Lucy already paddling inflatable kayaks nearby.
They spent the next hour exploring the cove: Kate diving under a low-hanging root mass to glimpse a school of silver minnows, Adriano spotting a bright orange crab scuttling along a submerged log. They emerged laughing, hair plastered to their faces, and clambered back aboard.
On deck, the steward had set out towels and a late-afternoon snack: goat cheese-stuffed figs wrapped in prosciutto, mini quiches, and chilled cava. Kate sank onto a sun lounger, closing her eyes as Adriano draped a towel over her shoulders and brushed stray strands of hair from her forehead.
They watched the sun inch toward the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of pink, lavender, and molten gold. A hush fell over the yacht as they paused to take in the beauty.
Adriano took Kate's hand and led her to the stern. There, he had arranged two folding chairs and a small table with their names etched into a wooden plaque: "Adriano & Kate." He pulled her into his lap, and they watched as the sun dipped below the line of mangroves, the sky igniting in a final blaze of color.
"Thank you," Kate murmured against his chest. "For today, for this⊠for everything."
He kissed the top of her head. " You deserve the best. "
She lifted her face and nuzzled his neck. " You always know the right words to say."
They sat like thatâtwo silhouettes against the dying lightâuntil the first stars appeared overhead. Then, reluctantly, they returned towards the dock.
The captain guided the Seraphina back to the marina under the soft glow of deck lights. As the yacht slipped into its slip, Adriano helped Kate down the ladder, then they made their way towards their room to turn in early for their plans tomorrow.
***
The next morning, the world was still hushed, caught in that fragile hour before the day truly begins. Kate stirred first, eyes blinking open to the soft gold light filtering through the linen curtains. Adriano slept soundly beside her, one arm draped across the sheets, his features peaceful and boyish in sleep.
Slipping from the bed with practiced quiet, she padded barefoot onto the veranda. The wooden floorboards were cool beneath her feet. A gentle breeze stirred the palms outside, their fronds whispering in rhythm with the tide. Beyond the dunes, the ocean stretched like a sheet of glass, reflecting the blush of the waking skyâlavender melting into rose gold at the horizon.
In the small kitchen nook, she brewed coffee, the rich aroma curling through the cottage like a familiar embrace. She poured two mugsâone with a splash of cream, the other blackâand returned inside. Adriano was just beginning to stir, cocooned in a knit blanket on the couch, his hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep.
Kate smiled and knelt beside him, pressing the warm mug into his hands. "Morning, dear," she whispered.
He blinked up at her, his mouth curling into a slow smile. "Good morning, babe."
They sipped their coffee in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft clink of porcelain and the distant call of seabirds. The cottage was bathed in early light, casting long, honeyed shadows across the pale wooden floor and nautical trimmingsâmodel ships, framed sea charts, a bowl of driftwood on the table.
Kate leaned into Adriano's side, her head resting against his shoulder. "I'm so glad we did this," she murmured, her voice still edged with sleep.
He turned to kiss her temple, lips brushing her skin with familiar tenderness. "Me too."
Her gaze wandered the spaceâthe open windows swaying gently, the salty breeze ruffling the curtains, the half-packed bags in the cornerâand her heart swelled. "Let's never forget days like this," she said softly, almost like a vow to the room itself.
Adriano shifted to face her fully, cupping her cheek in his hand. "I won't," he promised, his voice warm and certain.
And as the sun broke fully over the Florida Keys, spilling light across the water and flooding the little cottage with warmth, they sat curled together on the couchâtwo mugs cooling on the table, fingers laced, hearts stilled in a moment they both knew would live on long after the tide rolled out.