It was a warm night in the Outer Banks, the salty air mixing with the sounds of distant waves crashing onto the shore. You sat on the edge of the dock, your legs hanging over the side, the moon casting long shadows across the water. The summer nights always felt like they lasted forever here—endless and full of possibility. But tonight, it felt different.

You weren’t alone. Rafe Cameron had shown up, uninvited, as he often did. His presence was like an unpredictable storm—always intense, always charged with something you couldn’t quite put your finger on.

“You don’t belong here,” you said quietly, not looking at him, your voice barely above a whisper.

Rafe stood a few feet away, watching you with a mix of curiosity and something else—something more vulnerable. He didn’t respond right away, his eyes tracing the horizon as though he was searching for something that wasn’t there.

“Maybe not,” he finally said, his voice low. “But I want to be.”

You turned slightly, meeting his gaze. There was something in his eyes—a sincerity that caught you off guard. But you quickly pushed it away, shaking your head.

“You can’t just show up and expect things to change,” you said, your voice firm, even if your heart was starting to beat a little faster. “I don’t fit into your world, Rafe.”

He stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate. “Does it ever bother you?” he asked. “That I don’t care about all that?”

You shifted uncomfortably, your heart racing. “It should. You don’t get to pretend that we’re the same.“

His gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost regretful. “Does it really matter?” he asked quietly. “You think I care about that?”

You took a deep breath, but before you could answer, he was right in front of you. He reached out and gently cupped your face, his thumb brushing over your cheek.

But Rafe didn’t pull away. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his forehead touching yours, both of you quiet in the weight of the moment.