Diana and J.J. spent their last excursion strolling along the turquoise blue waters, reef diving, and playing in the shallow water until J.J. flew into the air screaming like a little girl that “it got him.” He danced around the sandy beach while reaching into his pants.

The ‘it’ was a small sand crab that found its way into the pocket of J.J.’s swim trunks and proceeded to clasp onto his goods.

They also visited a Mayan Cacao Factory where Diana went on a shopping spree, purchasing several cases to be shipped home. She even managed to get a tour of the facilities and pictures in the kitchen of her making her own creation.

As they walked around the deck just before midnight, both were hesitant to go to bed, because once they woke up in the morning, the cruise would be nearing its end.

Diana was so busy trying to suck every spare minute out of their trip that they completely missed the Murder Mystery dinner party, and J.J. was almost late for the final concert.

“My job is done. It’s time for me to get a real job, and with any luck, I’ll land my dream job, and you’ll land yours. By the way, I’d like to see you again. Where might I find you?”

“That’s debatable at the moment. I’ve been working in New York, but my job has taken me all over. Depending on what Daddy has in mind for me when I get back, he’ll probably put me in charge of the hotel in the Ozarks.”

“I’m heading to New York myself. I have a big interview coming up, and I think I’ve got a good chance of landing it.”

“Enough about work, I can’t deal with it right now. Let’s just enjoy our time together. Please?”

“Sure, no problem. I get it.”

When they returned to her room, it was filled with roses. Two vases of long-stem roses sat on the table, a path of rose petals led to the bedroom where the bed was covered in rose petals. Beside the bed were a bottle of chilled champagne and a box of truffles. A small gift-wrapped box sat on her pillow.

Diana hugged him. “I can’t believe you did all this. Why?”

“Let’s just say I want this trip to be as memorable for you as it was for me. I know neither of us wanted anything to do with Valentine’s Day when we came on board, but I had to show you how special you are to me.”

Diana opened the package. It was a white gold necklace with two dolphins forming a heart, kissing.

J.J. put it on her.

Diana looked down at where the charm nestled between her breasts then gave him a smile. “Thank you. I’m truly touched.” She kissed him then shoved him back on the bed and gave him the night of his life.

Their day was full and fun and they spent their last night on the ship together.

Diana was too antsy to sleep much even if her sleep deprived body craved it. She fell asleep thinking that maybe Henrietta wasn’t so far off the mark. She liked J.J. even if she didn’t love him. Yet. With a bit of luck, some time, and a chance to get to know him better, maybe something would come of it. While she loved the sex, it was the time they spent talking, sharing, going on the excursions, and just being together that made the biggest impression on her.

She’d never enjoyed herself so much.

When she woke up in the morning, she was alone, but J.J. soon joined her.

“I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, and I didn’t want wake you, so I went to my room and packed so we could spend the morning together until we dock,” J.J. said. “You’re not the only one with a checkered past. I feel like I’m in the best possible place with my life. I want to see you again.”

“We’ll talk about it tonight. Until then, no talk past the moment we’re in.” She had to find a way to tell him who she really was. Tonight was soon enough.

When the horn sounded their arrival hours later, they gathered their things and strolled down the gangplank hand in hand. Neither wanted their time to end.

In the middle of a kiss worthy of a honeymooning couple canoodling on the dock, Hunter yelled, “Get a room.” He nudged J.J. as he and Manda walked past.

Diana dropped one of her packages during the clinch.

J.J. picked up the package and handed it to Diana, then turned to Hunter and said, “We’ll meet you at the restaurant in a bit.”

J.J. turned to Diana and threw his arm around her. “It’s time to celebrate the future, for all of us.”

Manda grabbed Diana into a hug. “You promised me the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for coming to my rescue that first day and again throughout the rest of the trip.”

“Are you kidding? I owe you for finding my phantom.”