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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OnKhyjBpQ
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX2GCEbZKH
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? 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5oVNu5XT9
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaCJLr36yI
---278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNfNsblZZz
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg55jo1WW0R
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLjyxhCscZ
Then her hand stilled. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz8AsgwLYW
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u8Kzvm32E
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmKVcd9r52
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Grd0q3gRo
---278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tqjGMjmba
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pfw7dbk4Z
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? 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONqtHXoQom
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTGL9FUS3R
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI8kg8pMSy
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOiDhRRnG7
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSa85o0GAm
—
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7dsvvK1Tj
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2Nup0gOt1
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHriEucNYes
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn80A2Qwvr
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJxGEvbzaX
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xHpHllu43
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4qJp9Rgw2
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg33iSX8wsx
---278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwARhOjfICu
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJelfXZNX4
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxMkIAjaNr
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx7S30EMRE
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U2mOOaVPe
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mcuyH7SwX
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rxh02sLGX
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmf6px4qWx
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSvZ3m6NNd
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvymAXgcMu
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNTUKipmMl
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qWRPODLGe
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCnHbSGjgF
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsXNGtdp23
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdsGIKB0dx
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aR2oKqJLS
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3ZNPa4jZL
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICCmQaGhhX
—
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc9cW5qGXm
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5aHCzAkJ2
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTCnCq0DTN
A shark tooth. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KBQqrn6Si
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6RQFW2H3d
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCijZs0KuEt
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddbBBzjL0M
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85eN3DxeH0
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPfPu7CEEz
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY6qry4o7N
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRCABjQtCz
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuRUndkAFT
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdx9tEvty8
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI8cl41BBW
—
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBPoeP3RVO
"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?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs9ctzybhD
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3UtwZbhwr
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JLKwxxgvB
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrNBhb5iBa
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAWkbQH8nk
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy7z11njKd
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4b4T07bb0
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM2iBpE5pY
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvl0y3NNtc
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv4pOBD6Ze
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRfYnNMsuf
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW7iWehAmM
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqA6r7dMXi
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNHIrqZqHE
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB2Bl9deOU
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9CzhxM097
She looked back at the waves. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H75PlBtw2
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ8YR5fWt7
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAfNgdcfpB
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjuBjTtGiH
—
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFBjhYcwi2
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepq9I6SVQc
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39zNDgQkyV
9:27 PM.278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2KLsAyNjt
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4a9nyZRgE
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7vRRnEKNv
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCLX8IlQMp
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZEz1hHFFP
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa1ut5gkSz
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YgMb4dkCf
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIAuLNZgUm
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvBCQ82DCl
"I'll walk you." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysPB96AAwU
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckeEviaaqX
"You sure?" she asked. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXtkfLepyR
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yrq12UPH0
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMF86rhlzg
---278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop9tWpli6b
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. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0lN5sTVKK
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A3lELJmcK
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfXFxYxwGd
Nick smirked. "Of course." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZkSK5IKQl
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6YoJNg9wy
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbmOOnE5FJ
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKXRdqpHHU
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uD2XcUDAY
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThKT3QYPYd
"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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RettqWdvR
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumiD05h7TS
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcDvOqgELQ
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFteVp1HmMk
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehqq54Us9A
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDI7odwJc5
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUSkt6Da0m
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCbwj1nTeK
"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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmybFDTrWK
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTfxtQh2Lr
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hcSaNibWD
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xHSdLwfOL
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5UK0oNZjj
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZyhhyRNV5
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORItDTepa7
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLRpQCBZUg
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Hz10szqk
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzlucElIU6
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKGNPuFeyG
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." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPsZlrt3P6
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgCjnR3fG0
"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?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CGc1PxcOW
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXWoVA2oL3
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcdB2qR4hj
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgWc8HJiGM
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sRceSIXJu
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8atfrecf14
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5SjfObt7l
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMam5yXXXX4
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.
ns216.73.216.161da2
and then Add to home screen.