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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRuAMSrum2
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKMAN4NV8I
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? 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1uGLdoHck
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWhpUTo982
---249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LaROxfUJd
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS3whbNmE2
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRZ330mxVj
Then her hand stilled. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVqi2IqpBn
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPdWeSBuGU
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiEL5RJlNl
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2jBJdPpyO
---249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS0fPaAo4p
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6efXmpcQ05
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? 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuZWq12dFm
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhvggVQyq6
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWDKHN1CqC
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUXSN4UxM1
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwH0zp5NMc
—
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRw5keBohD
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KP08zgyz2
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAEgyJ87Ya
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCc7G5OW8D
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5piiOkFHY
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPftOK72if
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ501wRwvPN5
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEEAKMEOMR
---249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5pG47fpES
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEEe17EaXf
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs16ZoSfXjw
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn5XWrOt6B
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCveXyvTAe
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl43rUbzA3Y
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23DqQIJ0GX
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qVmOpSPn2
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqqACRAGaF
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndZMWiH8XQ
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZIVBgJeC5
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqDZUbkrPa
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVSpsUU5U3
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFUgBKVETU
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcOhI1jEhb
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwmXyNHlU1
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQc2T13JrS
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw6fc2Kere
—
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVLeXTxmQ4
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e7NJiklBo
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPz3qlSHK7
A shark tooth. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRQMkZqg6r
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9LkpuO2JO
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDujsvZ2evo
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb4MayGLp4
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFQiEgjdc4
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S0kWjA1Xk
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ZEdqGdn5
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGa7UGI5No
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYTJfQ9jQN
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnfdGtAlOw
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm3vdk410T
—
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBHNaZvUc2
"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?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhlDzbMI3w
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY29NXeDz5A
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjt8hZCWn4
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJxOYkIRpO
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf2vdWaEtn
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S2SvBeRNt
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuWp9754t8
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMFCiOV2ir
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA1cL9ZSnL
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgeIbshyI4
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3NELZlOu
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdTJ5uv9aL
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqsEskyxME
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡripKogKV7I
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcyKjz4gHp
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5gn08tIXN
She looked back at the waves. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnlmR1LX5f
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhcNzTjhxF
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JRV3YWPUG
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85UO98xJLc
—
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0qfuGXCIQ
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lYIsb4uja
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlYnAI0zF4
9:27 PM.249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefUTlAz2yG
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka9GlMgLGA
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHEr9I36V6
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB488fd2ejj
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPfIsKafwW
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nz4GgCISC
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEg1sqStcQ
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswqH1xDgBP
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA265edk5nx
"I'll walk you." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ZPffLW71
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbDce8xDXp
"You sure?" she asked. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t7xRfzrsE
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdAEk9Xomg
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyDYXBq91N
---249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtAUfssfww
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. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIzUPoDkuw
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4CmyxDQ6B
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8FP7gNBZL
Nick smirked. "Of course." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaqyxEcCkq
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzFA1cemUE
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkIlm7C7Q6
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfILQfrfy9Z
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMGaQ72z2x
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mv2FLB2hy
"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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3joY0OhIDe
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfHcTebITy
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxmC3hXW4o
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lz3YmqQFx
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFVmBL3siE
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL6MI4OLeR
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXQO665Wcw
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLI20yXq6t
"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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTJGqAb9AH
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlymUGPJkc
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bf9HtB3FB
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisjzWuidiv
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPsShX4J0h
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zXq3SGem5
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAmXf9c0JV
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabEBt8VpKy
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3CLkTBcPL
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNc1w9fLhr
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6Id8cS8Oz
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." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiutzgPCcg
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnSkBPah31
"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?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn4u6jqlZ9
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dqVID5APX
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo9hadBubp
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9UAoKocZB
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrk0ZxkSYy
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3u32XZpGl
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAsyUshULz
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 249Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dyWgFKnVk
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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