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“I choose Hayley to attack.” Sam smirked.

“Noooooo,” Hayley wailed.

“You can still defend,” Sam offered.

“Nah, she’s out,” said Heath as their screen came back into view with a defeated-looking Hayley.

“You all suck.” She slumped back on the couch as everyone laughed.

“Man, you girls are literally unbeatable now,” said Jess.

“Way too much time on their hands—unlike us suckers living our boring lives on land.” Marie agreed as Sam let out an evil laugh and Taylor began her turn.

Taylor ended up whomping her butt, probably a lesson for Sam for showing off earlier against Hayley.

They said their goodbyes to everyone and sat back on the couch as Taylor popped an arm around her.

With Taylor declared the winner, it was another successful games night done.

“I love our life.” Taylor beamed.

“Me too.”

“I thought my van life days were an adventure, but this has been something else entirely. It does help to have some pretty amazing company on this trip though,” Taylor said, nuzzling into Sam’s shoulder.

Sam hummed. “So you’re not sick of me yet?”

“Pfft, never.” She traced Sam’s face with her free hand. “You’re so beautiful. I love you.”

“Love you too, babe.” Sam turned, crushing her lips to Taylor’s. She’d never get sick of those lips.

Taylor broke away first to check the time on her phone. “Hey, aren’t we meant to be video calling Jase tonight too?”

“Nope. Jase is away with Andre this week, remember?”

“Oh yeah, their first official holiday together. I can’t believe Andre is taking him on a surprise road trip. Could they get any more swoonworthy as a couple?”

“Nope. They’re the swooniest. I want to hear where they end up already!”

“Maybe I’ll have to organise a road trip for you one time?”

“Van trip around Australia next?” Sam suggested, only half-joking.

Jase and Andre had hit it off on their first date, but unlike Taylor and Sam, they were taking things much slower. They’d been seeing each other casually for the better part of the year, and things had only just started to turn into more serious territory. So the road trip would be a good test for them both. Sam had a good feeling though.

Belle stood at the front of Sam’s paddleboard, her preferred spot now—much to Taylor’s dismay—while Taylor paddled alongside them. They’d moored for the day at the local marina in Port Douglas and were making their way around to the famous Four Mile Beach to hopefully meet up with Alex and Will.

The sun was out, the water a rich blue on the horizon and clear all the way down to the bottom beneath the boards. Sam could tell Belle was itching to jump in the water, but they’d trained her now to wait until she was told so she was always in a safe doggy paddling area and away from the marine stingers.

Once they were closer to shore within the flagged swimming zone, she yelled, “Okay, girl!”

Belle gleefully bounced—yes,bounced—off into the water, using the SUP as a springboard and almost toppling Sam off. She steadied herself with her paddle.

“We’ve created a monster,” Sam muttered, mainly to herself.

Taylor shook her head at the dog’s antics, watching on while Belle paddled around them as they inched closer to the beach.

Sam dragged her board onto the shore and looked around, spotting one of her favourite people on the bench nearby. She cupped her hands and called out.