The sky was painted in strokes of orange and pink as the sun slowly sunk into the ocean. You were wandering along the sand, your phone in your hand, slightly distracted by the way the light hit the waves. The soft crashing of the tide filled your ears as you paused, angling your camera toward a cluster of wildflowers that spilt over the edge of a weathered wooden deck leading out from one of the beach houses. You stepped a little closer, trying to frame the flowers with the sunset behind them..

The deck creaked above you. Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the sound of the surf. “Excuse me- what the hell are you doing on my deck?” the woman asked.

You jolted, looking up. A tall redhead in a loose linen shirt standing there, fiery hair catching the last light of day. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes in suspicion, but even in her irritation there was an elegance to her posture.

You stammered, holding up your phone as proof. “I- I wasn’t on it, I swear. Just… the flowers. They looked beautiful in the sunset.” you mumbled.

She leaned gently against the railing, studying you with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. “So, you sneak around taking pictures of strangers’ decks? That’s your hobby?” she asked.