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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswyLGqKmic
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM88Bx9vfrN
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? 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoW0VYm1ME
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVlrKXY8dp
---140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFLI7LcBit
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkB36RQMgn
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6EhkrCC1y
Then her hand stilled. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0seLL22L9E
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAguWfydSh
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXsvMU8ZN7
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zjSAxwZOo
---140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS66pj6HaCq
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJPu4bBHEv
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? 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfcSx9FdWc
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoJQQCNYEp
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTcqk8FoeQ
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65QLSYiVWz
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIwNS1ydUA
—
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZhQ8AI6F1
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZWyCFZIFY
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cYKhdzSN7
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGqaX0vTvy
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dayatvmgv
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0qzXQ8Mzq
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHNzsydBvA
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2UBR1P3pY
---140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV6R74LpYX
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL55gNrEOq
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rGMjAsqBR
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o8nivkjQ3
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWpy8pkcX2
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmruKoXXQa
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99AsvR2XdI
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuZ7l0wMqi
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGZ8OXgVSF
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbtbl5bNbN
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgckfUDSAkS
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQWN7YYhOA
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURVahw3Doo
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF1r8WAGWE
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwyhobJyf5
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aUgZgaT1e
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegGuMvlLMf
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWWXin7mv9
—
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB9sGxKeSJ
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCJKMIY3SG
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWDzzVubDc
A shark tooth. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lvcqH0eDI
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB69W7TgjOO
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNGmOyJp9L
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPZOE6ontd
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHInGL4N49q
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomTUAV3EZf
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvGgGjrYIh
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHFBctsAl8
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmiHHVkaPd
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemC6A0HBc
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtfvHxGgjD
—
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVdIbcfqQx
"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?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3XyH1Utxn
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tuoawncOf
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMoE6lj0am
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyE8PWtUJa
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4j5o1o6DQa
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV4fDnieii
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2MbxuUIlK
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfge9eWuHt
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv7WPCxdfa
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvjUvRWgRl
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pTIjkX5Wf
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSxaO0PXAO
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gPQyuRDgY
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuStv2EHuz
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZJcbA12zd
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0xXMGq8wK
She looked back at the waves. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmYOqKArDA
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOJFq5jO0Z
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM5j7akpqS
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnOoTJRMmd
—
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCSMTCj4Ar
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ9FPshKoV
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJSX3lDP0c
9:27 PM.140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcF1sT72Dv
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1goTpVXYRX
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYgoHrv1Wt
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UD2kbHX9c
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBqIfBVMD4
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUprw4xCruw
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikGC25S1AT
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSEC2F1ANX
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8gRHmng2e
"I'll walk you." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAv32WBTah
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV7xlvAcID
"You sure?" she asked. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcfPtaNyAs
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV8IHWEg1t
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVaAjIl5TG
---140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylyn1q13Dw
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. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yape39IuP
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vei9033oC
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkSlIKp2Z7
Nick smirked. "Of course." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMYGBLieZR
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN0Bybh6gM
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsWeV4gyEN
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM2a5Q9H61
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStQhb4YW0a
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Un3GS1W4w
"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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B57r82jES
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVnIbpzyAs
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlenuGOTdcd
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvn9JPS3zx
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLxahCX5D
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF6Ou5A33E
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuGfrwGZCE
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobLlcjaeIs
"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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzRiFG8n7o
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiVXNIUgeO
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vjkcC0dd4
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnvIyVYHro
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSGL5td4zW
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfx5kzd3iD
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMw0DwnpGD
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIbuRl5u7T
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdqLCXuHsI
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOhE2tnKj9
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5QOMKqqL6
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." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrUSQvWNEH
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dsq5RZJop
"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?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMkQJoAVJl
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBevt67tFXb
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzboAZ3QzCz
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoktr9xgEUz
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcmDxSoUef
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4uoK6dEDp
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9INQ28LCb
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 140Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ3bvqmbOs
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.
ns216.73.216.190da2
