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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3jPzGUrgy
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtIeNZ5q0c
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? 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mp6PnQa9h
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4YEK0ipk9
---198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhj9UHpWMGn
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDFFDcO9EU
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMGpgVLoVv
Then her hand stilled. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF0iCWsfVr
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpczM4OrWHW
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKLISRcS5b
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WuwMOQag1
---198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMVFA3qn5G
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOWRrMWBxy
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? 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbhoD9x2yl
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXKgqnwPlc
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the figure approaching until it was too late. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicg9ozeYx4
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT3psfJT3h
She hesitated for a beat, then took it. His grip was firm but careful, effortlessly pulling her to her feet. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFNB0pxztn
—
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQoUs0Eo0t
He crouched down, plucking a smooth, iridescent stone from the ground. The opal.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCmeTWMuEH
"Hey, I think you dropped this," he said, holding it out to her. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Q2cNNBP9
Chrissy stared at it for a moment before reaching for it. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI2jie2Mas
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRRQyIPGk3
"You found that in the water?" he asked, still studying the opal with curiosity. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV20QsaTV8
Chrissy nodded. "It was buried under the sand—like it was waiting for me." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0QtaaM4oJ
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSbgWdhuIU
---198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4ybrCD6Sl
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfbwIgKzsr
He shrugged, his stance easy, hands tucked casually into his pockets. "No problem. You alright?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlhKAehDWc
"Yeah, just embarrassed," she admitted, laughing softly. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5t30rK7TZ
She shifted slightly, ready to keep moving when he spoke again. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2feWdZ5H2
"I'm Nick, by the way. I'm new to the area." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbce8MfhpHk
The stranger spoke with an effortless confidence, his tone casual but inviting. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Ze1ogvPN
Chrissy hesitated for a second before responding. "Chrissy." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y5TzDbl81
Nick nodded, glancing at the shoreline. "Do you come to the beach often?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZggnCqOzgw
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtFZabALws
His interest sparked visibly. "Shark teeth? Like actual ones?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS9odSHvgH
She nodded. "They're fossils. You just have to know what to look for." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E2Vp8OCSz
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdbLwjJoXc
Chrissy hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Sure, if you don't mind walking slow. I scan every inch." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIP4G2ehQn
Nick grinned. "Patience isn't my strongest quality, but I'll give it a shot." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmt3tzjDrh
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMGCjLH9Wb
Nick stared at it, mouth slightly agape. "No way." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw9qPJnBzN
Chrissy laughed. "Told you." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiNvERZsTd
—
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w7e1g6zJl
Then, Chrissy caught sight of something. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQkr0AUK5X
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqyTsa7ZwH
A shark tooth. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKju1lLnWKz
Slightly larger than the last, its dark edges smoothed by time, waiting to be uncovered. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas1vLZdh1k
Nick shook his head in disbelief. "Okay, now I'm convinced—you have some kind of magic ability to find these." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvrFstkTRD
Chrissy grinned. "It's not magic. Just patience." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o1nkMEBzZ
Nick hummed in thought, watching as she tucked the tooth into her pocket. "You ever wonder if magic is real?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8rm2dS93D
Chrissy glanced at him, caught off guard by the question. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhV19BamKG
"All the time," she admitted. "But I don't know if it's the kind of thing we ever really find." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnWYx57TOd
Nick studied her expression before responding, voice quiet but sure. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG4TSPzRDQ
"Maybe magic isn't just something we search for—maybe it's something we create." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPLzsSqHJv
Chrissy didn't say anything right away. Instead, she looked back at the ocean, at the way the waves stretched endlessly toward the horizon. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN5IIWIq1s
And for the first time in a long time, she let herself believe that maybe—just maybe—Nick was right. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu6lRHCNB1
—
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTwgsBHskn
"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?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxw4rm4huS
Chrissy hesitated. The question was simple enough, yet it never felt simple to answer. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBLLx7ym9x
She exhaled, keeping her gaze on the sea. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKogoogi0yO
"I love my family," she said carefully, thoughtfully. "But...I'm adopted." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAok2TRUVf
She paused, fingers tracing mindless patterns against the rock beneath her. "Even all these years later, I still feel like a stranger sometimes." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNieXcCUHd
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZgAjqKnOA
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznmFDM2Atw
A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of salt and seaweed, stirring her damp hair. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34xoTbl6zE
Nick leaned back on his hands, letting her words settle before he responded. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTRlFQETXt
"I don't think you're broken," he said simply. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFBqgRUzTf
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVevuNeW1y
She wasn't sure what to say to that. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIlsTJnJA1
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxHEZX3tWO
Chrissy studied him now, realizing that this conversation—this moment—was not one-sided. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdGlrN3BCr
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRlwrJDV7v
Chrissy swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwLOV7wZea
She looked back at the waves. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJcYBUuQY0
Maybe that was why she loved the ocean. Maybe Nick was right. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiezURcHE3E
But she wasn't sure how to say that yet. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaWOJdrtCS
Instead, she let the sound of the water speak for her. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw5XWVYVZc
—
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGir0bD2o2B
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcJDlS8VRd
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPvdqshKcE
9:27 PM.198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnk8We4WcX
She sighed softly, brushing her thumb over the screen. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl1lwbNDH6
"Oh. Well, I've gotta go," she murmured, more to herself than to him. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpNHIfJFcC
Nick stretched his arms over his knees, casting a quick glance at her. "You headed home?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlVrIqAhm1
Chrissy shook her head, slipping her phone back into her bag. "Nope. The Book Nook." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ec1T1QyuC
Nick raised a brow. "At almost 9:30 at night?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvVfkLMR6V
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wB08LCy7e
Nick let out a quiet laugh. "Alright, solid priorities." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKMgYF5rBe
A pause lingered between them, just long enough for him to consider something. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY57Rxu9EY
"I'll walk you." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM6T9VrTmP
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg6L0sFYtu
"You sure?" she asked. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h32L19Fpn
Nick shrugged. "Yeah." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvm3L3Z8Ia
They started down the path, the sound of the ocean fading behind them, carried only by the breeze as the night stretched on. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg5gGbqRpI
---198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggl9WYiLPM
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. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1q0PfTJGv
"So, what book are you picking up?" Nick asked, glancing at her as they walked. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIFEnpFFUq
Chrissy smiled slightly. "A historical romance." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp14wOluOE
Nick smirked. "Of course." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKOIDHHfIR
She shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUKXf785Np
He shrugged. "Just feels like the right choice for you." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBOXz8jBhw
Chrissy let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I love them, even though I don't believe in that kind of love anymore." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBgLXXqIKr
Nick's brow lifted slightly at that, his curiosity apparent. "Why not?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilb730gqQS
Chrissy hesitated, thoughtful. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCCJr8Fm80
"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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CO5UlCy3U
She exhaled, glancing ahead toward the Book Nook's soft glow in the distance. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EVHcdNRYW
"Beautiful fiction," she murmured. "But still fiction." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQfmTxnimL
Nick was quiet for a moment, as if weighing her words, testing them against his own experience. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlOA6aztYj
Then, after a beat, he simply said, "Maybe."198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tErt3vw4L
Chrissy narrowed her eyes slightly, glancing at him as they approached the store. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzjpg48wV
"Why did you say 'maybe'?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiH2C8Fqgz
Nick smirked, stepping just ahead of her, turning slightly toward the glow of the Book Nook's window display. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMmaaOJ1Su
"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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnrZ2l3Z13
The realization hit Chrissy all at once—the reference to their earlier collision, the teasing smirk, the casual confidence in his words. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6rDkbh0rp
And just like that—she felt mortified all over again. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzASgSmP6I
She groaned, covering her face briefly with one hand. "Oh my gosh, are we really bringing that up again?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPQzecxIsg
Nick chuckled, absolutely not letting her escape this. "It was a pretty memorable moment, Chrissy. Hard to forget nearly getting tackled into the sand." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrHzdbdTGw
She peeked at him through her fingers, narrowing her eyes. "You could just pretend it never happened." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuva4Z6UQIl
Nick grinned. "Oh, I definitely could. But where's the fun in that?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIzGLp3est
Chrissy sighed, dropping her hand with a resigned shake of her head. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s7MoaqNZM
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL1AakP1Gw
Chrissy blinked, a little caught off guard. He's actually coming in? 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXXAYW6iJ9
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohaa9XxOWC
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." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXcswkvgEn
Nick raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his expression. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ypDjDYGoz
"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?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquBWE0qjVN
Chrissy rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Chocolate is elite. If you don't understand that, I don't know if we can be friends." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPNgeusVwQ
Nick smirked. "Is that a dealbreaker?" 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd0LgB45WT
Chrissy paused, like she was truly considering the weight of the question. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROCwVBqrsL
Then, with absolute seriousness, she nodded. Yes. Most definitely." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXIHuD0pNx
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "Well, it's a good thing I love chocolate." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQHxHPLtde
Chrissy grinned, satisfied. "Alright. You can stay." 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWCvU4kCqA
Nick pulled open the door, still smirking. 198Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU30CUTPMR1
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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