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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1AH76QOqH
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOm3ucBvFy
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? 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGPEJcWltc
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlqxBqaM3i
---231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJtufkeE8d
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh8NLu215S
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf29qSf2F6
Then her hand stilled. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny2WzxPLUP
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgOGvbkGNX
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnsHANFQRC
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qhr3Dp92w
---231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRktN98y4bJ
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEi7z0ubmA
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? 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkytt1aJtzE
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuiOYMXaIn
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qA8jHHlea
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBNie0Nntm
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHmiUxvlGw
—
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY2uPmGBy4
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHgmXs2xb9
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4s2uwaymK
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqCGVXnCla
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48K0MNgF9M
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxOZ4kBoyd
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dU2m2dekO
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2hVX6CR0V
---231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo6ehDRzSL
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn8Zq7x6UN
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VXS87IWuH
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiJWrdqacI
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ808okVjxYu
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlIiOuVaVs
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2vetMLyXg
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNVixSi0C6
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU43GY8W3D
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB82Qsb9OS
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq8DS4nDee
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYCcf13Xjw
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbtzQkcvfb
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwpvMEZYZI
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbuKG1ObEX
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH6xNXhX83
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjkuUTwcJO
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMM0ff1hWg
—
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtzxOsFc6o
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ie0Ijkfe1
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIzYp937hQ
A shark tooth. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFul0LtPxX
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8onc9TNXz
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODQvnJYBnA
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKgXYT5vdk
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QfRnjx8GT
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QX4nGWDan
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lnd39AYCs
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ThLnS9Hyb
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceMpPZN7yE
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLYSu4NE2Z
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXs2gJdZie
—
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2totyVval
"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?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT5QHfdgOt
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbsVL5GMUA
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2mx9HkSJp
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FpjZWZdPi
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1drrj96ZLg
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUorhRVhGl
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIyZV63vQf
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt6prJxKXb
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqTrEzdl2K
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9UDdAB4rQ
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Z8qIEr66
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvttsBZfrbo
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEMsz6D31x
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mKWpUPZAv
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUMcHXdGFQ
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYhdqkzp5D
She looked back at the waves. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaViT7you8l
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJqlfUBA3h
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK5M7D3lut
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFLQkPR0Lq
—
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCcFVKFwz7
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSq8UN3ld6
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8xlcRZNis
9:27 PM.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPuWGKM7rU
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwfry1jNv9
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOsWLujaW5
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBRmOSkkdZ
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNI5qGFufq
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzONUsRV0n
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhrqtJ4SnY
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EHE8mx0z3
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6buBNOMi6W
"I'll walk you." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KqeM7YmNV
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3RnWpshl2
"You sure?" she asked. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTwzRwc7VK
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X4pVpMK2a
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcRU7I3D9I
---231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0prMLRwz7
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. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGY4hgKyaX
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlwLmh8KuK
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IplGnTrda
Nick smirked. "Of course." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMk8bUerf3
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FOPAr5mE9
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP0rC30IMz
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxoVKyRQPW
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55lSNU71dh
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBS7IyiHPY
"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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAQHTnEx3U
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4MSd48Ph0
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHcZm2CW10
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewO6hoDpEp
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEdLFKBjYu
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkyQ7LFi7M
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDuVgeXZ3Z
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdb20rsb9d
"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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJGpEW2asD
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpf9zWl3Eb
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT84Ctr2sm
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaCK1gR3ih
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeDZqGTW24
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO2JOuYeiK
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHDWdOFeSb
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJLBhAxQC7
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ts06R0WwF
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOvXxKhjgN
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKQAmYo6y2
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." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9oEc39wcN
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA90HNOHNn
"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?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJw9TarCzY
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15xMUAkBtq
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARWwQbXHqN
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRLgskvebE
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWeJutwtJ4
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZAo4fZhva
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZQHHK9emC
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP6qaUpKds
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.
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