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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IqkGhwoLm
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhog8NWpV9
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? 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUicIf1w7eJ
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7ypZf1CtO
---280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WUPFsfUby
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlussORh2Z
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzXyN8u4OA
Then her hand stilled. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMEnkT9IlF
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ1p9wW2iE
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDriMi1W03Q
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8WHtWGv3d
---280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAYQTNCDZn
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthWONCNLGe
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? 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVzXVdKCnG
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXj2VlPpZK
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLZzpi7t3K
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0WCxP9eOL
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUbQOA3qju
—
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPSaj3Jp8f
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2vVBrHcOt
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomaEIR9Z9L
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Is6TXkoR
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgQFSQepSP
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVCAPoWGPA
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B4e7JgTg3
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNZHlkPj9Q
---280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKkam6sU5O
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORoZdF9l0Z
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89tRV6yi0q
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6wgoP4Vqt
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYw9xiJ7Nk
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlxz1GaGeZ
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2bEr1UlNc
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNuJpbiOtt
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmoUJyl21b
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNiTEq8zQ9
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLtVhh3HOR
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFpXofmkQD
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCN0ptNIBk
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXxuTbMZkj
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXAapMdRar
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyY3bH137K
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNJQUE3q90
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5qZQrO5rO
—
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfV4dSHnYr
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2qkBkKZN9
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXgPUzFct4
A shark tooth. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyXG8hqK5h
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ0L0O3cMa
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20g1k6d05r
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0o7gT9jl4
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9c7OffhBK
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9Tn93Sd71
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2rcAcgEdX
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Um4LL1O1P
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbU9PbRhir
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyXldN1v8P
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveaSspSs85
—
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDdz5Dcra
"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?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLNAgdqm2A
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiQj1hAC0Y
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53uoLrttWF
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOdUOoie8v
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1U3BAVQbT
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZJCd1pEho
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImdAEfA2Hv
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffM4tYIhlm
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAUYayaN01
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hddaG8s7D
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhARKVq4Qs
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhdHZDj0kI
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSonpnjn7K
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZAFeofsBk
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIgFtY3FCu
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQcjjoYJia
She looked back at the waves. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePpDtwVcnD
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4OHhn6WgR
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CHeSZgj4S
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f8LIs4Ebw
—
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdteZkNMr6
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzQkDzyHZJ
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt71RBBW69
9:27 PM.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6x0A94u0p
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1KPdFDlgP
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgP4DLV9DL
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41gLkyHZFD
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7U06N06Yp
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBhOpsYeZo
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNGRZzOdR
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEukX8KCtUG
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFwCYPCDQ6
"I'll walk you." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f7DFrLK9x
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjGSOY9bfh
"You sure?" she asked. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhuLRxGWOS
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvycmaZtvIR
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ODC9LEKm
---280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4J9Sg1fP5
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. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wvPGDVerE
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFwBA0fWSu
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjrFbqKcAs
Nick smirked. "Of course." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuGwDVBGo7
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPz4PF9Zxi
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbQqX0IYhz
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgsgvwyMO7
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp1c0gQQT8
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcDa1bFYOo
"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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb1rKuDjxP
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFw61cGlxr
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0ynP8RFx8
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9r6dzNiMG
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JG2uvKgL4
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLKNjGqyIC
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZVAJpC0TN
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rKRWF7d8I
"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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT5KnfPBCE
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeUV4HWDpo
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOCEvuKkrO
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yPRTHZIl1
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbGRzovmez
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExn3JR7bec
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ym5jZD9v
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q5rppeBfJ
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fnuWEDpjv
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEb2VAVHOs
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSz5LWiN0s
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." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvFiJWWTOL
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6o9oM92VL
"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?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcsx7sELk3
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmT52Wly2b
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSCPr5puUM
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKehuuIemv
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1V14fNO86
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrn5eGU7Tu
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbw7qD7Wa1
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1neqRdgGOr
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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