“And you love it,” he replied, his grin teasing yet soft.
At the top, the cliffs opened up to a breathtaking view of the ocean, waves crashing far below. Hannah set up her sketchbook while Ethan perched nearby, taking in the view silently.
“You know,” Ethan said after a moment,“I could spend forever just watching you sketch.”
Hannah glanced up, heart fluttering.“Is that a confession?”
“Maybe,” he said, leaning back on his hands, watching her.“Or maybe it’s just truth.”
The moment stretched, quiet and intimate. The wind tugged at Hannah’s hair, and Ethan reached out to tuck a stray strand behind her ear. Their hands brushed, lingering, and Hannah felt the familiar warmth between them, the slow burn building with every small touch, every shared laugh, every glance.
When Hannah finally closed her sketchbook, she noticed Ethan watching her with an intensity that made her stomach twist in a familiar, thrilling way.“You’re stealing my focus,” she murmured.
“Good,” he said simply, his smile softening.“Then maybe I’ll get to steal something else too.”
Before she could question him, he leaned closer, brushing his lips gently against her temple—a promise, a tease, a quiet spark that left Hannah breathless.
As they descended the cliffs hand in hand, the adventure had done more than satisfy their curiosity—it had strengthened the invisible thread that tied them together, making each slow-burn moment more urgent, more real, and impossible to ignore.
Chapter 18:
Letters Misplaced
Hannah arrived at the boardwalk, sketchbook under her arm, only to find Ethan pacing near the railing, a worried look on his face.
“Hannah,” he called as soon as he saw her.“I… I lost one of your letters.”
Her heart sank.“Lost? How?”
“I had it in my jacket pocket yesterday, and this morning… it was gone. I’ve checked everywhere,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair.“I know how important your letters are.”
Hannah’s chest tightened. That letter had contained a personal confession she hadn’t shared in her sketches, something only Ethan was supposed to know.“Do you think… someone else found it?” she asked, anxiety creeping in.
Ethan shook his head.“I don’t think so. Probably just misplaced it. But I swear, I’ll find it. I won’t let anything happen to it.”
Hannah took a deep breath, trying to calm the flurry of emotions.“Okay… I trust you,” she said softly, though the worry lingered.
He stepped closer, taking her hands in his.“You don’t have to worry about anything when I’m around. Letters, sketches… even storms, I’ll handle them all.”
Hannah felt a warmth spread through her, easing the tension.“You always know how to make me feel better,” she whispered.
Ethan smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“Because I care. More than you probably realize.”
She looked up at him, the bond between them stronger than ever despite the small crisis.“I care too,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
He leaned down, forehead resting against hers.“Then let’s promise something. No matter what happens—lost letters, unexpected obstacles—we face it together.”
Hannah nodded, feeling the comfort of his words. The slow burn of their love had survived yet another challenge, and in that shared promise, it grew stronger—unshakable and real, even in the face of uncertainty.
Chapter 19:
Midnight Walks
The night was quiet, the sky painted in deep shades of navy and scattered silver stars. Ethan had insisted on taking Hannah for a walk along the pier, just the two of them, away from the usual bustle of the boardwalk.
“Why so late?” Hannah asked, pulling her jacket tighter around her.
“Because the night has its own magic,” Ethan said, a teasing grin on his face.“And I wanted to show it to you.”
