Revised version
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the sandy beach. Waves lapped gently at the shore, their rhythmic sound a soothing balm to Chrissy's restless spirit. She stood at the water's edge, her light brown hair tousled by the salty breeze, staring out at the vast expanse of the ocean. It was her sanctuary, a place where she felt most at home, far removed from the cacophony of her family life. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0gLyKWU36
Chrissy had always felt like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. Adopted into a loving family, she was surrounded by warmth and kindness, yet there was an unshakable sense of disconnect that clung to her like seaweed. Her parents and siblings were vibrant, outgoing individuals who thrived in social settings, while Chrissy often found solace in solitude. The irony was not lost on her; she was the odd one out in a family that had given her everything. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgOAjlqicd
With a sigh, she kicked off her sandals and let the cool water lap at her feet. The sensation sent a shiver up her spine, but it was a welcome contrast to the heaviness that often weighed her down. Over 80% of the ocean remained unexplored—a vast, enigmatic world still waiting to be understood. That was why Chrissy believed in magic and mystery, why she never dismissed the possibility of the Loch Ness monster lurking in forgotten waters, why the legends of mermaids fascinated her. The ocean was more than just waves and tides—it was a realm of untold wonders, filled with creatures and truths hidden beyond human reach. How could she not believe in mythology when so much of the deep remained unknown? 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Vi2IAv85
She had come to the beach to escape, to seek out the hidden treasures of the shoreline—shark teeth, smooth stones, and perhaps a little bit of magic that the ocean seemed to promise. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Rbw2Bu4GR
---320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb3A4MFMWs
Answering the call of the sea, Chrissy waded into the water, letting the familiar pull of the tide wrap around her legs like a whispered invitation. As she dove beneath the surface, the brilliant world above dissolved into a shimmering haze, replaced by the magical realm beneath the waves.
She swam effortlessly, guided by the ocean's rhythm. Schools of iridescent fish darted in playful bursts, their scales catching fragments of light like scattered jewels, while coral formations stretched toward the surface—each crevice a tiny kingdom alive with vibrant color. Yet amid this natural splendor, a quieter, deeper pull stirred within her—a whisper that urged her to explore. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRugPNIU1k
Not toward a hidden cave she'd sometimes imagined, but to the rocky seabed nearby. Following that subtle sensation, she ran her fingertips lightly over the rugged terrain, feeling the transition from smooth stone to jagged ridges. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEO1mfBYay
Then her hand stilled. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhLHNiGT4P
There, nestled among the scattered rocks and shifting sand, lay a single opal. Its surface shimmered in the fractured sunlight, revealing hues of blue, green, and flickers of iridescent pink—as if it were a secret waiting to be discovered. She brushed away the coarse grains and gently picked it up, surprised by its warmth amid the cool water. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4cInzMI7a
A quiet pulse seemed to emanate from the stone—a subtle, almost unspoken energy that filled her with a sense of knowing. Though it was only a fragment lost in the vast ocean, as Chrissy held the opal close, she felt that the sea itself was whispering its secrets. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5RHXvy2kf
She pressed it into her grip, tucking it close as if protecting the mystery it held. The ocean hadn't revealed all its secrets yet—but perhaps, just perhaps, it had offered her the first piece of something waiting to be uncovered. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxrrs7tzoZ
---320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJXLjqF5vc
Chrissy stepped onto the shore, water trickling down her skin as the last traces of daylight painted the sky in soft hues. She ran a hand through her damp hair, pulling it into a loose bun before reaching for the small bag she'd left on the sand. With quick, practiced movements, she slipped a pair of lightweight shorts over her bathing suit, followed by a loose tank top, the fabric clinging slightly from the lingering saltwater.
Yet even as she dressed, her mind remained elsewhere—locked on the opal she had just uncovered. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW9rM9qiSH
Turning it over, she watched how it shimmered, shifting between deep blues, vibrant greens, and flickers of iridescent pink. It was mesmerizing, unlike anything she had ever found. Why had the ocean hidden this beneath the sand—waiting for her to uncover it? 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQqM6dSMl9
As she wandered along the beach, Chrissy's mind drifted. She thought about the book she intended to pick up at the Book Nook, a quaint little shop that smelled of aged pages and brewed coffee. She envisioned the story waiting for her, a world far removed from her own, filled with adventure and romance. It was the kind of escape she craved, a way to lose herself in someone else's life, if only for a few hours. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVLVwrsvhv
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO4WDg254I
In a moment of distraction, she collided with someone, the impact sending her tumbling backward onto the sand. Mortified, she started to push herself up, brushing grains of sand from her arms, when a steady hand appeared in front of her. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcCrmmf7HG
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAClu4TIsX3
—
Chrissy brushed the last grains of sand from her skin, still flustered from the unexpected collision. The stranger had already stepped back, giving her space, but as he moved, something caught his eye near her feet. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI0i2sIZOz
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkBqmHWhCs
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvuwrcB4aQ
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgCjxabYVD
She turned it over in her palm, watching the deep blues and greens shift in the fading sunlight. Yeah, I found it in the water while I was swimming. It had been buried beneath the ocean's sand, the currents shifting just enough to reveal it to her. She hadn't even realized she'd lost it. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnFkerjT7A
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzSd2pmcwF
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmQdpkK2Qi
He raised a brow but didn't laugh, didn't brush off her words like most people would. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. "I get that. Some things are meant to find us—no matter how impossible it seems." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQKmwUMlh2
---320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBXxJEIB4v
Chrissy shifted her weight slightly, brushing the last remnants of sand from her arms, preparing to move along. The interaction had been brief—a collision, an apology, and the return of her opal. She figured that was the end of it.
"Oh—uh, sorry for bumping into you," she said, offering a small, sheepish smile. "And thanks for helping me up." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprkgm1uGW4
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6KySStrSi
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTwOo6Btvq
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbbBAh6Qdi
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgXwmJX0t4
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEXVaM6iHG
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡualUmz0MnJ
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAZEV1GrLO
Chrissy followed his gaze. "Yeah, whenever I need to clear my head. I love looking for shark teeth, seashells, sea glass—whatever the ocean decides to leave behind." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPSKyECz31
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrPjVhuXHU
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6SVXR3Ach
A smirk tugged at his lips. "That's a pretty cool hobby. Mind if I tag along? I feel like I've been missing out on some hidden treasure." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBfGijUHr1
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP5SiRWkOY
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIeerkmaLQ
They started walking, the rhythm of the waves matching their steps. After a moment, Chrissy bent down, scanning the sand with sharp focus. Within seconds, she plucked a small black tooth from the ground and held it up triumphantly. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe27inN31T
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQcOamJyfw
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27QVK67dQY
—
Twilight settled over the beach, casting deep blues and purples across the sky. The ocean, ever-moving, whispered against the shore, folding waves onto the sand as if urging secrets into the world.
Chrissy and Nick walked side by side, their conversation fading into quiet observation. There was something calming about the weight of the evening—the shift from casual conversation to simply existing in the same space, letting the world unfold around them. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7mTaDnLzd
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ0EM6mqkJ
She bent down suddenly, eyes locking onto an odd shape amid the sand. With practiced fingers, she brushed away the grains, then lifted it between her fingertips. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny5TrQocHW
A shark tooth. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrscvk8pQL
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEegmtE2iT
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGPBjWblyd
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCZ7jykP0L
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30n9BDokqE
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgwI1Thc0T
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQPth7D7L5
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qk8R4X3F8
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HEewVTh06
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaALWJyPzV
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnah5HVBXN3
—
The tide rushed in, slamming against the formations of Blowing Rocks, sending bursts of sea spray into the air. The water surged through the narrow crevices of stone, spilling over in white bursts before retreating—only to rise again with renewed force.
Chrissy sat on one of the flatter rock surfaces, legs crossed, arms resting on her knees, watching the waves crash against the shore. Nick sat beside her, quiet at first, studying the restless water. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eysP3J0a8
"You know," he said finally, voice casual but curious, "I've been talking about myself this whole time. What about you? What's your family like?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ODsq1jt5V
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPeYWqf3Nw
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN29tv0SyjL
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20LrmQFSqo
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ9ztkx8zv
Nick didn't say anything, didn't rush her or fill the silence with words meant to smooth over the heaviness of the confession. He just let her speak. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVlyH5Kivc
Chrissy swallowed, forcing a small laugh—one without humor. "Sometimes I feel like I don't fit anywhere. Like I'm just—broken. And people try to fix me, but there doesn't seem to be a fix." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTDJWXmHZ4
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKHZmymP9d
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9xzBrYiBZ
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2lcLUh18b
Chrissy glanced at him, but he wasn't looking at her. He was still watching the tide, as if reading some unseen meaning in the way it moved—how it crashed, withdrew, and returned again. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF6dUn3TiI
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLxxCcn7He
Nick sighed, letting his shoulders rise and fall with the movement. "I get it, though. Feeling like you don't belong. Feeling like you should know exactly who you are, but somehow, you don't." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Wf6orPlS
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7SUHbBBAX
Nick turned to her, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Maybe that's why you love the ocean," he murmured. "It doesn't belong to any one place—it just exists. And no matter how much people try to understand it, there are parts of it that can't be understood. Not fully." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfaLubKyQS
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVnX06ri6o
She looked back at the waves. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk8DdbhZ16
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8SyVSQ17g
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9G9U5lNDn
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawxBwTaKpO
—
The tide crashed against the rugged formations of Blowing Rocks, sending bursts of sea spray into the air before retreating back into the depths. The limestone—weathered and worn by years of relentless waves—stood firm beneath Chrissy and Nick as they sat in quiet observation. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi1NHT3qFl
There was something untamed about this place, something she understood. Here, the ocean wasn't controlled—it carved its own path, shaped its own world, dictated its own rhythm. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXCCP8G7Rt
For a long moment, neither of them spoke, letting the sound of the waves fill the space between them. Then, Chrissy reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and checked the time. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpRu2f0iJp
9:27 PM.320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9rhRwndee
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBeayocv8E
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukbmve10sO
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bGqeapVXa
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cazP0mwvw
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXvEWzD388
She stood, stretching her legs before answering. "Yep. I want time to look around, grab a coffee, maybe a chocolate muffin if they still have any left." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJSMKDnKmO
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaEfiYraFN
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP2wpBVMUn
"I'll walk you." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcjuCIxagJ
Chrissy hesitated, glancing toward the dimly lit path leading back to town. She wasn't worried about walking alone. But... she didn't mind the idea of not walking alone, either. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5ctEKWegC
"You sure?" she asked. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAKjrsBvCS
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsPIeVth0x
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9046Y64e2
---320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTsvhTnWvY
The streets were quiet, illuminated only by the glow of distant streetlamps casting long shadows against the pavement. Their footsteps settled into a slow rhythm, the world around them hushed, as if waiting for the conversation to unfold. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgEKhxsTf2
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8muOqW3fq
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ElZq2qLtt
Nick smirked. "Of course." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tclo2VrK7
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41rn22WLaS
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hj5d9fSVf
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLTf3kOSnW
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jxqvj4YQQ
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAIoSyHUUD
"I don't know," she admitted finally. "It's just hard to believe that the kind of love you can write about actually happens in real life. It seems more like fiction than reality." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKQcf9RLQw
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPGSQt4PKz
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWO2IYzney
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQi4gXqkhA
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrYI2dy3uh
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu9k6to1f3
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BLXe2TkkG
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmzG0HWyF5
"Well," he mused, his gaze flicking briefly to hers, "I met a pretty girl at the beach tonight. She kinda knocked the wind out of me." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANGzMa2x5i
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEVaiPVHG6
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4n7MSODQP
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8g7vvMtoi
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaIWeABFHY
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNorZkNnTnk
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglXilMik4Y
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tAOb8MASp
Nick glanced at the Book Nook's door, then back at her. "You know what? I might as well go in, too. These chocolate muffins you swear by seem to be all the rage, and I need to see for myself if your romance novels are as dramatic as you claim." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmCLA5Yf9d
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ9w7zLILt
She smirked, adjusting the strap on her shoulder. "Well, duh. Of course the chocolate muffins are the best—especially paired with their chocolate mocha coffee." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV1Tg7FbOu
She sighed, as if describing something truly sacred. "Paradise. Especially when you've got a good book, sitting in a cozy corner, curled up in a comfy chair." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh1mQnvHEC
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOd8vXULZD
"A chocolate muffin and a chocolate coffee," he mused, his voice laced with teasing curiosity. "I see a trend here. Or is it just a coincidence that both have chocolate?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPMMZUuEtw
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKnH0EtkFy
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tp6OI9fnc
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ1baiffH4
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaszVxEfTTG
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnwuIZttVW
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEyYGxqA8c
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 320Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ8g0bP8oA
The night stretched around them, the warm hum of the bookstore waiting beyond the door.
And for now, neither of them were quite ready to let it end.
ns216.73.216.82da2
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.