Skylar took a deep breath and walked out of her room, her mind still swirling with thoughts. When she entered the common area of the villa, she saw Joe waiting by the door. His back was to her, but as soon as she approached, he turned around.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on her. Skylar tried to gauge his reaction, but his expression was unreadable. Joe’s face didn’t betray any surprise, though his eyes seemed to sharpen as he took in her appearance.
Skylar felt a little self-conscious but tried to mask it with a casual smile. “Ready to go?” she asked, trying to keep the mood light.
Joe nodded, his gaze steady. “After you,” he said, motioning toward the hot spring area.
They walked in silence, both of them lost in their own thoughts. As they stepped into the hot spring area, the warm steam filled the air, and the soft glow of the lanterns created a peaceful atmosphere. The pool was large and inviting, the water bubbling gently as it swirled around the edges.
Skylar stood for a moment, her feet sinking into the smooth stone of the path leading to the spring. She couldn’t help but notice how serene the place was. It was the perfect place to unwind, to forget the world outside. But at the same time, she couldn’t shake off the awkward tension that lingered between her and Joe.
Joe’s voice broke the silence. “It’s nice here,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “You should go ahead and relax. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”
Skylar glanced at him, surprised. His usual stoic demeanor was replaced with something more approachable, maybe even a little caring. “Thanks,” she replied, before slowly stepping into the water.
The heat of the spring immediately soothed her muscles, the warmth creeping up her legs and making her feel light and relaxed. She let herself sink into the water, her body unwinding with each passing second. Skylar closed her eyes and let the bubbling water massage away the stress of the day.
Joe didn’t join her immediately, but she could sense his presence nearby. For a moment, the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, just a shared peace.
She leaned back, letting her head rest against the edge of the spring. The night air, cool against her skin, balanced perfectly with the heat of the water. It was easy to forget about the complicated emotions that had been lingering in her mind.
Joe finally stepped in, though he kept a respectful distance, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if to ensure everything was in place. Skylar couldn’t help but notice that he was careful not to intrude too much on her space.
“Are you comfortable?” Joe asked, his voice low.
Skylar nodded, a small smile on her lips. “Yeah, this is really nice.”
Joe seemed to relax a little more, though his posture remained reserved. “Good. We all need a break every now and then,” he said quietly.
Skylar wasn’t sure what to say next, so she simply nodded again, content to enjoy the peace. The sounds of the night, the water’s gentle bubbling, and the distant chirping of crickets created a perfect symphony for relaxation. It wasn’t often that she found herself in such a tranquil setting, and for once, she allowed herself to simply exist in the moment.
As the evening stretched on, the atmosphere between her and Joe remained calm. There was no rush, no pressure—just the quiet intimacy of two people sharing a moment of respite from the world.
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