The drive to Seattle seems to take forever, and by the take we make it the Mukilteo ferry terminal we're all starving. So we get our ferry ticket and make a stop at Ivar's for a late lunch, ordering a ton of clam chowder and fish 'n chips for everyone. For the first time since we left, I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. It's another message from Vale, who is standing far enough away from the twins to not have to worry about them swiping his phone. I pull up the message and scan my eyes over his words, trying to fight a smile.

I'm not sure I like this game anymore, the message says, and it ends with a pouty face. I'm about to write him back when Keke sneaks up on me. Rather than risk being caught, I subtly hide my phone in my pocket and look at her. She's watching Vale, who is currently staring at his phone with a stupid smile on his face, waiting for my response.

"Hey," she says, nudging my shoulder gently. "Can we talk really quick? Away from everyone else?" My stomach is roaring with hunger, and I'm worried that if I leave now, they'll eat my share of lunch. But her eyes are filled with concern, so I nod my head and walk with her behind Ivar's, far enough away so that no one else can hear us. She checks to make sure we're completely alone before asking, "You're okay, right?"

This surprises me, because I don't think I've shown any indication that I'm not okay all day. "Yeah," I say, nodding my head. "Why? Do I not look okay?"

She bites her lip anxiously, then takes a breath before continuing. "I mean, yeah. You do. But I was worried earlier. About the whole Vale thing." I raise my eyebrows, still not getting it. "You know, it seems like he might be in a relationship with someone, and it's obvious he's trying to hide it from us. From you. And with everything that happened between you two at the party, I just wanted to check in with you and make sure you're okay. Because you're my best friend, and I don't want to have to kill him."

Oh my God. The absurdity of this conversation almost has me bursting out laughing. It takes everything I have not to give myself away. But I maintain my composure and say, "Oh yeah. I'm fine." She looks at me unconvincingly, and now I do laugh. "Seriously. I am. Vale and I are good. We talked about it, and we're definitely on the same page. Nothing to worry about."

She opens her mouth to respond but gets interrupted by Vale calling out my name. "Genny! If you don't get back here soon, I'm going to eat all your fish AND your clam chowder! Hurry up!"

"I'm COMING!" I scream back at him, and I hear everyone at the table start laughing. I look back at Keke, who still seems concerned. "Keke, come on," I say, grabbing her arm. "I promise everything is okay. I am okay. You have nothing to worry about. Now can we please go back to the table before Mr. Piggy pigs out on my lunch? I'm so hungry."

She nods her head reluctantly and gives me a tiny smile before heading back to the table with me. Vale has already finished most of his fish and is going in on the chips. Mine is right next to him, and just the sight of the crispy golden-brown skin and tarter sauce makes my mouth water. Vale sees me coming and acts like he's about to take my fish. I point my finger at him and say, "Stop right there, oinker! Touch my fish and die!" The table erupts again as I take my seat next to Vale, and there it is. That current between. He squirms in his chair subtly and rubs my shoe with his in a way that I'd think could be an accident if I didn't know any better.

"So, Vale," Tree says as she bites down on a fry. "Who were texting while we were in line? Your secret girlfriend?"

Vale's chewing on a piece of fish, so he covers his mouth with his hand and says, "You are very interested in my love life lately, Teresa. Beginning to think you might be jealous or something."

She fake gags, and Vale grins and takes a sip of his drink. "So what's with all the secrecy anyway? I mean, if it's getting serious enough for you to be texting her constantly while we're on our last road trip together, then don't you think your friends should meet her? Isn't there some rule that says the friend group has to give their approval?"

Vale scrunches up his face. "I was unaware of that rule. And also, why do you think I'm texting a girl?"

Taylor's eyes widen in shock. "Oh my God, are you texting a guy?" she asks.

"No!" Vale says, shaking his head. "I mean, what makes you think it's a girl and not my dad or something?"

"Because of all the secrecy," Tree replies, as if this is obvious. "If it was your dad then you wouldn't care if I looked at your phone. But now you've put a lock on the screen, which is a dead giveaway that you're talking to a girl. Which means you're seeing someone."

I bump my knee against Vale's, and he grins, still looking at Tree. "I promise you, Tree. If I was seeing someone, she would not be someone you guys wouldn't love. Not that I am seeing anyone. Maybe I just don't want people snooping through my phone reading my personal messages. Did you ever think of that?"

"You never cared before," Taylor says.

"Well, I care now," he replies, crumpling up his napkin and throwing it in his fry boat. Then he collects everyone else's trash and tosses it all in the garbage bin. This marks the temporary end of the conversation, and the six of us go make our way back to the bus together. A few minutes later we're getting the bus in line for the ferry. Once everything is situated and we're given the okay, we leave the bus again and head up to the middle deck.

This has always been my favorite part of the trip. There's just something about the smell of the salt water as the breeze licks my face that feels so much like summer. Maybe it's because this trip has been a summer constant every year, something we haven't missed since we were kids and were first invited to go by Taylor and Tree's family. But it's my favorite part of summer vacation, and the idea that this could be our last trip together as a group pulls at my heartstrings. Suddenly I feel like I could cry as I look out over the water, watching all my friends around me do the same thing. Whether I end up going to pastry school or not, I will always miss these moments. The six of us together, laughing and teasing and having a good time. I hope this isn't the last good time.

"Shit," Vale says, pulling me out of the moment. We all turn to look at him as he pats his pockets down. "I left my goddamn phone on the bus," he explains, a note of frustration in his voice. "Hey, I'm going to swing back down and grab it real fast. Anyone need anything else while I'm down there?"

It takes me a few seconds and a pointed look from him to realize what he's doing. "Yeah, actually," I reply, taking the hint. "I left my wallet down there too, and I kind of want a cup of coffee. Getting a little tired after all that fish."

"I can spot you," Keke says, reaching for the money in her jeans.

I shake my head and hold up my hands. "No, that's okay. I need to grab it anyway. It's probably right there on the seat, and I don't want anyone to snatch it while we're up here."

Vale nods his head. "Yeah, that's a good point. Besides, it'll only take a few minutes. We'll be right back." Keke frowns but nods her head, and we head over to the stairwell.

Once we're out of sight of everyone else, he takes my hand and leads me up the stairs, away from the cars where I think we're going. He pulls me up to the very top deck, a place the rest of the group never goes due to the twins' fear of heights and leads me to a shadowy spot out of eyeshot. Then he presses me against a wall and puts his lips on mine forcefully. The heat rises to my face immediately as I pull him closer, holding him tighter to me, getting lost in the moment like I always do. But it doesn't last long enough before he pulls away and looks down into my eyes, a relieved smile on his face.

"I couldn't stand it anymore," he whispers in my ear, sending goose bumps up my arms and neck. "If I didn't kiss you soon, I think I would've exploded."

I swallow hard and pull him back down to my lips. We makeout in the shadows on top deck of the ferry for a few minutes, and I love the way his fingers slide through my long blonde hair. He pulls back again, and I can see that he's already regretting what he's about to say. "We should be getting back. They're going to start wondering where we are soon." I nod my head, feeling hot and flustered. "But we need to think of ways to do this more often, or else I'm going to break."

A smile pulls at my lips. "We'll think of something. I promise you; we'll get our alone time. Besides, by the end of this week you'll probably be sick of me."

He leans down and presses his lips gently against mine again. "Not happening, Genny," he whispers against my mouth, and God, I want him so bad. But he's right. If we don't get back soon, they'll get suspicious. So we head down the stairwell, and he doesn't release my hand until he absolutely has to. When we get back to our friends, we see they're still looking out over the water. We lock eyes briefly before rejoining them next to the rails. We were gone for longer than we should've been, but I doubt anyone noticed. Vale stands behind me, and while everyone else is looking ahead, he intertwines his fingers with mine and gives me a small squeeze. No one sees. No one's paying attention. So I squeeze his hand back, and watch him smile, the wind making the curls in his hair dance. And I'd swear they were dancing for us.

Author's Note:
These two just can't keep their hands off each other! Who here thinks they're going to get caught on this trip? Raise your hand in the comments.

We're heading into Coupeville, Washington again, so keep your eyes peeled for some familiar faces. Never know who you might see. I'll be back very soon, my dears!
XOXO,
~Aly