Emma has a surprise waiting…

Sunsets in the Caribbean are the best in the world.

You stand quietly out on the wooden veranda, taking in the view. Brilliant red-gold shards of sunlight sparkle off waves far out in the distance, while tropical birds call back and forth through the trees. Down below, the beach is almost deserted; only a few stragglers are left, lazily picking their way through the surf like they’d be happy to wander along the sand forever.

You’d be happy here forever, you realise.

But not because of the ocean.

Oh, sure, it’s beautiful – fucking incredible, in fact. You’ve seen more natural beauty in these three days than you ever knew existed, and you’re certain that memories of Antigua will stay with you for the rest of your life.

But the reason for the weightless feeling in your chest has nothing to do with the island.

Because you’re dating Emma Watson. And you know you’re falling in love with her… and she might just be falling in love with you. And the knowledge of that fills you up, lifts you on a warm current of happiness and contentment. You’ve won the lottery, the jackpot, life’s biggest prize – in fact, you bet there are lottery winners who’ve never felt as good about their lives as this.

The footsteps behind you are so soft you barely hear them, but you catch the sweet scent of her on the breeze.

‘Hi,’ Emma breathes, circling one slim arm around your waist. She gazes out at the sunset with you, a gentle smile on her face. ‘Wow. That’s some view.’

‘It is that,’ you agree, pulling her closer. Emma’s still wearing her little black bikini from earlier, a decision you are only too happy with. ‘Thank you for bringing me here. It’s perfect.’

Emma squeezes you lightly. ‘It’s beautiful. But then anywhere’s beautiful as long as you’re with friends.’

You stroke her arm tenderly, noticing the ways her light, invisible hairs prickle under your touch. ‘Which movie did you steal that one from?’

Emma shakes her head, smiling. ‘I may have rearranged the words slightly from Harry Potter.’

You chuckle. ‘Well, wherever it’s from, I like it.’

‘James…’ Emma looks up at you, so tenderly that you almost go red. ‘I just wanted to let you know… I’m so grateful to have had you these last few weeks. I…’ She clears her throat. ‘I’m honestly not sure I could have weathered it all on my own.’

‘Of course you would have,’ you tell her quietly. ‘You’re much stronger than you think. Would it have sucked? Absolutely. Would it have been a crappy couple of weeks? Most definitely. But you’d have made it through, tougher than ever. I know you would.’

Emma’s fingers run down your side. ‘Maybe. I’d like to think so. But it’s been so much easier with you.’

You smile down at her. ‘Hey, I didn’t do anything. But thanks anyway. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be.’

There’s silence, for a moment; warm, companionable silence. The kind of silence you only get with best friends, you realise with some surprise.

Somehow, this girl’s managed to get closer to you than anyone has in years. She’s not just your girlfriend any more; she’s your best friend, and the thought of it sends happiness streaming through your body.

‘You do realise, you’re not just my girlfriend any more,’ you say conversationally. ‘You’re better than that. You’re a best friend I want to fuck.’

Emma giggles, looking up at you with wide, trusting eyes. ‘Well, thank you very much. You can be my best friend with benefits, too, if you like.’

Then she bites her lip. ‘And because of that – well, it’s more than that, actually, but since you’ve been such a rock these last few days… I may have a little surprise for you.’

That sounds interesting.