The sun hangs low and the sand beneath your feet is still warm.

You're all sitting around the small wooden table of a beach bar. Esteban next to you, and across from you, Mick and Layla.

Each of you holds an ice cream that's mercilessly melting in the heat.

You lean back slightly, taking a slow, deliberate bite, while a drop runs down your hand.

Esteban sees it.

His gaze lingers a moment too long, shifting back and forth between your mouth and your hand.

You raise an eyebrow playfully and look at him as you lick the drop off your hand.

"Guys...stop eating your ice cream so..suggestively, I can't concentrate!" Mick laughs while rolling his eyes as he glances between you two.

Layla nudges him under the table with her foot and just grins knowingly.

Este leans forward, resting his elbow on your Chair. "You, uh...got something there, baby." His eyes flick to the corner of your mouth, before you can react, he strokes the tiny drop of melted vanilla with his thumb.

He pulls his finger back, slowly licks it off, never breaking eye contact with you.

"Oh my god. Seriously, stop! This isn't normal...you two can't keep your hands off each other, not even while eating ice cream.." Mick complains again.

Layla chuckles softly as you smile at Esteban, half challenged, half amused. You giggle quietly, trying to hold his gaze, but your cheeks give you away.

"You're Impossible." You murmur.

"Me? I was just trying to stop you from walking around with vanilla on your face." He grins and places his hand on your leg.

You feel the warmth of his hand against your skin and a little satisfied flutter spreads through your stomach.

Your fingers unconsciously brush over his hand as you look at him with a cheeky grin. "Thanks."

Mick groans into his hands. "I'm begging you..just eat the ice cream like normal humans."

Este smirks. "Normal's boring."

You laugh and just to tease him, lean forward and take a dramatic, slow lick of your ice cream. Unfortunately, the top scoop decides it's had enough and tips dangerously to the side.

"Whoa-" Esteban's hand shoots out, catching the scoop mid fall like some kind of ice cream hero.

The table bursts into laughter.

He carefully plops it back onto your cone, holding it steady with both hands as if it's the crown jewel. "There. Saved your dessert and your dignity."

"My dignity left the second you took my ice cream ball with your hand and I'm willing to eat it anyway.." You shoot back, smiling.

"Worth it." He grins and without thinking, takes a quick bite of your ice cream before letting go.

"Hey!" You protest, but he just leans back smugly.

Layla laughs, shaking her head. "Honestly, it's like watching a couple of kids."

"Speaking of kids..." Mick cuts in, glancing toward the hotel down the beach. "They're doing that activity this afternoon. You know, making those handmade shell bracelets and stuff." He makes a short pause and nod towards it. "Should we go? I'm tired of walking on the beach, we could do something different."

Layls only nods, taking Mick's hand in hers.

"Only if we make them like friendship bracelets." Esteban says playful. "Or better...couple bracelets." He turns to you. "Should we go, baby?"

You smile and nod. “Yeah, let’s go.”

He grins like you’ve just agreed to something much more exciting, giving your hand a quick squeeze before you all wander down the warm sand toward the hotel’s activity canopy.

A few kids are already threading strings, tongues poking out in concentration. You and Esteban take seats side by side, while Mick and Layla sit opposite.

It’s not long before a few whispers start up and kids have spotted Esteban and asked him for pictures.

Then two girls, maybe eight and nine, shuffle over and when their Picture is done, Esteban takes your Hand while he sits down. The oldest points at your joined hands. "Do you love her?”

His thumb brushes over yours, his gaze softening. "Yeah. I do, very much."

The girls covering their mouths and giggle before running to their Parents.