Alianna had given not too small an amount of consideration as to what she would wear for a beach walk. She wanted to look like she’d made an effort, but didn’t want it to be obvious that she had made an effort. She also wanted to look nice, but not overdressed, because she was going for a walk on the beach. Also, Shadow was going to jump on her at some point, so anything white was out of the question.
Alianna had settled on a black strapless top which cut across her chest and hugged her form. She paired this with a denim skirt that stopped just above her knees. She had kept her footwear simple – sandals – and had left her hair unbound. It fell down her back in gentle sweeps and waves. She had quickly applied some bronzer to her cheeks, nose, and chest, topping up her lipstick before heading out. She had gone with the same dusky pink colour that she had worn so far today.
She rounded the corner, with the main entrance of West Beach coming into view. Rionan was leaning against a wall, waiting for her.
He wore a grey shirt, unbuttoned down to the middle of his chest – reasonable, in the balmy evening. She tried not to spend much time looking at the well-defined muscles of his chest, which were now visible. He was wearing his usual well-fitted black long trousers and had rolled up his shirt sleeves, exposing lightly muscled forearms.
Rionan lifted his arm and swept his hair off his forehead, turning and spotting her as he did so. He smiled, dropping his arm to his side and moving towards her.
“Hi,” Alianna said breathlessly, now aware she was panting slightly at the speed she’d been walking, and wishing she had taken a moment to compose herself. “Sorry I’m late. Getting out the door was…well, I don’t have a reason. I’m late.”
“I like your honesty,” Rionan smiled. “And it is no trouble. It’s a nice evening, and I’m in no rush to return to a hotel room where I will only sit on my own.”
Alianna noted the revelation that he did spend his evenings in The Rinniel alone – whether he had meant to share this intentionally, or whether he was simply saying he had nothing else to do, she didn’t know.
Rionan bent down to let Shadow approach him. “Hello, boy. We’ve met before. Thank you for your help on the beach.”
Shadow leaned in to Rionan’s touch and rested his weight against his legs, eager for the attention and the possibility of making a new friend.
“Shall we go? It’s not a long walk, not really, and Shadow is eager to run around when we get there.”
“Absolutely.”
***************
“So, you’ve never actually had a mimosa?” Alianna asked, toes curling in the sand as they sat on the beach together. The sun was lowering in the sky, which was now ablaze with orange and pink, as Shadow leapt in and out of the sea, doubling back on himself whenever he reached the shore.
“No, I have not. Nobody has ever made me one, and it isn’t something I have thought to make either.”
“Well, we will change that.”
She looked at Rionan, who was lying back on the sand, hands behind his head, eyes closed, soaking up the warmth of thesun. He smirked, knowing she was looking at him without having to open his eyes. “Is that a second date secured, Ali?”
“It’s a mimosa. Don’t let it go to your head.”
As they’d walked back and forth along the beach for the last two hours, they’d talked about her work, her dog, her favourite things about living here, exciting things that had happened recently. She told him about how she used to draw but in truth was terrible at it, so gave up. She told him that she liked to read cheesy romance novels. She loved nature documentaries and was watching one about wolf cubs right now.
Rionan had admired the long stretch of beach, the crystal water, and asked about the ‘I Love Porthan’ selfie frame that stood upright in the sand for passing friends, walkers, families and couples to take photos in. Alianna hadn’t suggested that they take a photograph together.
Shadow ran back over to them, showering Rionan with seawater and kicking sand over him as he went, missing his face and hair butcovering his legs. He flopped in between Alianna and Rionan, as Rionan sat up, ignoring the sand that remained on him and giving the dog a good scratch behind the ear.
“I haven’t given you much chance to tell me about yourself, Max.” Alianna noted, looking down at her dog, who was now rolling around in the sand as if to completely blend in with his surroundings, covering himself in it as effectively as he could.
“There’s not much to tell, to be honest,” Rionan shrugged, joining Alianna in watching Shadow.
“Oh, sure. That’s what everyone says, and then they drop some grand reveal like I’m actually a millionaire, or I’m a wanted criminal. You’re not a wanted criminal, are you?”
Rionan laughed and looked up at her earnestly. “No, I am not a wanted criminal. I’m not very good at talking about myself. I like artwork. I suppose I have a taste for finery, although you have mocked me for wearing formal trousers to thebeach enough times that you may have figured that out yourself. I love my gardens, and walking in the woods.”
“Gardens? Plural?”
“Yes…gardens, plural. You know how some homes have more than one?”
“Like a front and back?”
“Yes, like a front and back. Well, I have more than one, and I like them.”
“Do you grow anything in your gardens?”
