I join Rose at the lighthouse’s viewing platform as George’s history lesson winds down. Together, we gaze out at the awe-inspiring New England coastline. The late afternoon sun casts a golden glow over the landscape, the light dancing on the waves below. Rocky cliffs stretch out as far as the eye can see, their rugged beauty a stark contrast to the endless blue of the ocean.
However, my eyes are continually drawn to Rose instead of the view. The way she leans forward, hands gripping the railing, her entire being focused on drinking in the vista before her – it’s captivating. A stray breeze sneaks through the windows, stirring wisps of her hair, while the warm light bathes her face in a soft glow. She looks… radiant.
Rose turns, catching me watching her. For a moment, our eyes lock, and I feel a jolt of electricity run through me. A blush creeps across her cheeks, painting them a delicate pink that fascinates me. She offers a shy smile before returning to the view, but I notice she stands a little closer to me now, our shoulders almost touching.
We stand like that for a while, sharing the view in companionable silence while George hangs back and lets us savor the view. The late afternoon sun bathes everything in golden light, making the moment feel magical and ordinary all at once. When George finally announces it’s time to head down, I almost wish we could stay up here longer.
As we begin our descent from the lighthouse, Rose’s eyes are still sparkling with excitement. She turns to me, a broad smile on her face. “Thank you so much for bringing me here, Levi. This has been another incredible day.”
I return her smile, ignoring how my heart skips at her words. “The day’s not over yet,” I remind her. “We still have the sunset to look forward to.”
Rose’s smile grows even wider, if that’s possible. “I can’t wait.”
As we leave the lighthouse, Rose pauses, closing her eyes and tilting her face toward the sky. I watch her, mesmerized by how the light plays across her features.
“You know,” Rose says, opening her eyes and turning to me, “I came here looking for inspiration for my art. I never expected to find… all of this.” She gestures broadly, encompassing the lighthouse, the ocean, and maybe, I hope, me.
“Lublin Harbor has a way of surprising people. It’s a special place.”
Rose nods, her eyes meeting mine. We stand there for a moment, the air between us charged with something that feels like potential. Then she looks away, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
“So, where’s the best place to watch the sunset?” she asks.
I grin, grateful for the distraction. “I know just the spot. Come on.”
As we walk back to the truck, I am hyper-aware of Rose’s presence beside me. The brief distance between us feels charged, like the air before a storm. I wonder if she feels it too.
I drive us to a small, secluded beach not far from the lighthouse. It’s a local secret, rarely visited by tourists. As we park and get out of the truck, Rose’s eyes widen at the view.
The beach is a crescent of soft sand, bordered by weathered rocks on either side. The water stretches out to the horizon, already starting to turn gold with the approaching sunset.
“Oh, Levi,” Rose breathes, “it’s beautiful.”
I nod, taking in the view myself. “It is. But as beautiful as the sunset is, the sunrise here is even more spectacular.” I gesture towards the horizon. “The sun rises over the water, painting the whole sky and sea in incredible colors. It’s like the world is being born anew each morning.”
Rose turns to me, her eyes sparkling with interest. “That sounds amazing. I’d love to see that.”
“Maybe we can arrange it. If you’re willing to get up early enough, that is.”
She grins, a challenge in her eyes. “Oh, I’m willing. Just say when.”
My mouth dries at the way Rose says ‘willing’, and I shake my head before I say something embarrassing.
Instead, I make myself grin back. “It’s a date, then.”
I grab a blanket from the back of my truck, and we make our way down to the beach.
As the sun begins its descent, I keep stealing glances at Rose. The fading light softens her features, giving her an almost ethereal glow. She looks… right here, as if she belongs on this beach. Or maybe that’s just my wishful thinking.
“What piece are you working on right now?” I ask, breaking the comfortable silence that has settled between us.
She looks over, surprise and pleasure mingling in her expression. “Really? You want to know?”
“Of course,” I say, genuinely curious. “It’s why you came here, isn’t it?”
She laughs softly. “Well, yes, I suppose it is. I’m currently working on branding for a client – logos and such. But I’ve also been doing some sketches of the marina, and I want to start a piece on the lighthouse. I took some inspiration photos from my kayak the other day.” Her voice grows warmer, more animated. “There’s something about the way the light hits the water here… it’s so different from anything else I’ve painted.”
“I’m glad that the lighthouse photos turned out well,” I manage, throat tight with emotion. “Though perhaps next time you could choose a less dangerous way to get your inspiration?” I try to sound stern but can’t entirely hide my smile. Her reckless bravery had given me something I’d never dared hope for – a human who saw me and didn’t react with disgust and horror.
