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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSi6T1Sor2O
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvAZp6IrEr
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? 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbATTIWbacy
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuzFqxlXZU
---289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iELHURFvI
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8pfjXw43e
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFplLQUhyT5
Then her hand stilled. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrV1Fj9zSo
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33U66ezJtY
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCGOrGRwIV
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK1LlgYn2L
---289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufMZBkeKff
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bwQ0BQ1hU
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? 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRedIL9CKs
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33HIni5rPo
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgHNzjBwar
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡircCv11eqz
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb0sPaukO3
—
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq33gZWhlSy
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxe8CYUjP4
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnkQvYOSHc
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCAP574LQj
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNhQr0GTKw
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiYnI1N32P
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGtEE0ZnWV
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lCaVdxitN
---289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl1hxTsm3J
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBqeqIkiIK
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl1Y5SwmZr
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvYGmY9I5U
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh535x1tTI
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAvotX3NqT
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2S88RIh5J
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh39z4LSFj
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZcoy8mzRm
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHIYLecKHs
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1OaAmEhPg
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7fLu9xCLP
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgj6bv9CHh
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOagpoy590N
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghgtzvqGrb
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iqlgV0Frm
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuywIclfWh
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhkhH4cCSD
—
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxPUzT0tTl
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilLnWek9ga
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtUKruriVl
A shark tooth. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9srYr2ZZuD
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLGkoLo0M
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEmHLbiznd
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMdkBbOZcR
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpR4uIaXUy
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gE8qUjL3I
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cIsElVhaH
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbZP3tKf82
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBhTVP4aUv
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QSIbqgi7K
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SqXGP16Ag
—
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamwVxB2t1e
"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?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWY8Qvvvgg
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOIUMdZRl7
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjqhWnqzYW
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu3mOeWA75
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdbObyhhZO
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpucEJHpNEy
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8LxuY0w0F
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8w4cxFkdw
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUVivVjN3w
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaWvfRWXCj
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiimyXAXeRn
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3gSC8dUlx
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD4Wneelea
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroh1RZMui8
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf2YHTgVeF
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5YO2iFH9f
She looked back at the waves. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDF2mF0VAj
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUxCVf3mWQ
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jo1rkF5i6
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrUTXlLC6f
—
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU0ShomCvB
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKE39UrvDV
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa74vYjTkCM
9:27 PM.289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRDqat8dv3
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrncrNqHsXz
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K6PdUAr8E
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kQgJ9VUSA
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjShgrRjT
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq5zO2dbv0
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyatimMdDj9
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTp0fOfpTN
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuGzgFyBvZ
"I'll walk you." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHQIw7vRJE
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoZsv85sZi
"You sure?" she asked. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6HIFjR5ot
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M1nyqetQF
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpoIILgOIq
---289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPMNmeHUEP
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. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtttkyrBIdt
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiHtYVAZOJ
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03wQRSthfS
Nick smirked. "Of course." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl09okkWB8Q
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv0nSEeZug
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxaBYuC0yk
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7WYAek5bf
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg22C6YVtC
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSJbbfzZnX
"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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU0xBNzaAZ
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphewPVa879
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g4qCpFKDR
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebHDeZsQBI
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IY6XDaCGy
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjdZNCWnK8
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2H6eUakBKF
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwXsJcbxlo
"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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O50tS5Nau
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ8ZHghCfU
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe5YMl2ehs
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp3wxqEnFC
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GzqqMWdGk
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMKgcRbyrc
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjhkpZjEJp
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp61scs1XUT
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcv7FHfQNP
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgmSqFk3px
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOpDYQMcjm
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." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdMrufX7GS
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3BJecFpA0
"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?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL8gyjjLQv
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOD5eewwb5
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErhUzzsd5T
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhZroLthoh
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZQSqubi97
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYMBSM7HjT
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRixrwqYW
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 289Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR4AVx9LtF
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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