Mark walked along the shoreline, the ocean breeze tugging at his clothes and the sand soft beneath his feet. The salty scent of the sea mingled with the coolness of the air, clearing his thoughts with every step he took. The beach was calm, with only the distant sound of waves and the occasional seagull overhead.

The villa they had rented was just behind him, nestled at the edge of the sand, its balcony overlooking the water. Mark glanced back at it and smiled to himself, feeling a quiet satisfaction settle in. The trip had been a long time coming, and finally being here, with the ocean stretching out to the horizon, felt like a breath of fresh air.

His thoughts wandered back to their first date—the downtown café where they'd met, with its warm lights and mismatched chairs. He remembered the initial awkwardness, how he’d felt uncertain but drawn in, wondering what the future held. And now, looking out over the endless stretch of ocean, it all felt surreal, like life had come full circle.

Mark stopped and looked back toward the villa, feeling a rush of fondness. The gentle waves rolled in and out, steady and grounding, and he felt grateful for every moment they had shared since that first day.

Turning around, he spotted you standing by the balcony, looking out toward him. Smiling, he gave a small wave and called out, “So, what’s on your mind?”