“I fell asleep?” I ask, my voice rough as I sit up.
She laughs softly. “Yes.”
There’s something lighter about her now.
Easier.
“Come on,” she says, reaching for my hand. “Let’s go.”
I push myself out of bed quickly, running a hand through my hair as I grab something simple to wear.
Then I check my phone.
4:30 p.m.
Damn.
I slept longer than I intended.
Not surprising.
I haven’t had more than two hours of proper sleep in weeks.
Still—
I need her out of the house by five.
I have a surprise planned.
I move faster now, throwing on a shirt and stepping into my shoes.
“Ready?” she asks.
I nod, slipping my phone into my pocket. “Let’s go.”
We leave the house together, stepping back into the open air.
The ocean greets us immediately, louder now, fuller, the waves rolling in with a steady rhythm as the sky begins to soften into evening.
We walk toward the beach side by side.
“It’s so beautiful,” Valeria says softly.
I glance at her. “Not as beautiful as you.”
She laughs instantly, shaking her head. “You’re so corny.”
A small smirk tugs at my lips, but I don’t argue.
The water reaches us, cool as it laps gently against our feet. The sun dips lower, casting gold and amber across the surface of the ocean, turning every wave into something almost unreal.
We stand there for a moment.
Just quietly watching.
Then I look at her.
“What was your childhood like?” I ask.
