RORIE
The sun meltsinto the horizon, rich shades of amber, peach, and blood-orange streak across the sky. The light makes everything feel cinematic, like the world hit pause just for us, just for this moment.
Our bare feet press into the damp sand, the tide flirting with our ankles, warm and teasing. The only sounds are the hush of the waves and the occasional gull overhead.
Nolan walks beside me. He captures my hands, interlaces our fingers. I can smell the sun on his skin. He’s been mostly quiet, letting the rhythm of the sea fill in the space between us.
I can’t stop glancing sideways at him. I try to keep my attention forward, but he’s so beautiful, it’s hard.
I should feel calm. This should be a moment of peace. But my chest is tight with a truth clawing up my throat, and the longer I keep it in, the more it feels like a betrayal.
Nolan lifts his phone and stops. “Sunset’s too good not to capture.”
He’s right. The sky’s gone all apocalyptic in the prettiest way with gold bleeding into coral, and violets and indigos dancing across the water.
His phone angles it toward me.Click.
“Did you just?—?”
“Had to.” He smirks, that dimple peeking out. “You look like magic.”
I laugh, but it comes out shaky. He’s staring at his screen, admiring the photo and butterflies in my stomach erupt.
“I’m using this as your profile photo,” he says casually, opening up his contacts. “I need proof you’re real.”
And just like that, the butterflies nosedive straight into a meat grinder. Dread slithers in, winding itself around my insides, waiting for its cue.
Now it’s center stage.
I know what’s coming.
And I’m the reason everything’s about to potentially fall apart.
“Nolan…”
The light hits his eyes just right, softening that impossible shade of golden brown—half storm, half salvation. I wish I could swim in that look. I wish I deserved to.
“What’s your number?” A thumb hovers over his screen like it’s just another casual request. Just a normal guy on a normal beach, asking for a normal girl’s number.
Only this isn’t normal. None of it is.
My heart’s punching at my ribs. A deep, aching rhythm that feels like the truth begging to be let out.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” I whisper.
When he sees my expression, and the worry in my eyes, his whole body stills. It’s a subtle shift. But it’s there.
Nolan’s weight balances. His shoulders lock, but his eyes stay on mine. Steady. Open.
“Okay…” His expression tells me he thinks I’m about to drop something that might change us, and what we have right now, in this moment.
And that breaks me a little.
I’ve been keeping this secret wound so tight it’s cut into me. Saying it out loud could unravel everything.
Carl is the one who made me laugh on my worst days.
The one who never saw my face but somehowsaw me.
