“Damn it… that’s my girl.”

The words slipped from Dylan’s lips before he could stop them, quiet but full of pride. His gaze followed you across the sand, where you were laughing and playing beach volleyball with your friends. The sun was dipping lower, painting the horizon in gold, and the warm light caught on your skin in a way that made his chest tighten.

He stood there for a moment, still as the waves rolled in behind him, two cocktails in his hands slowly collecting condensation. You’d convinced him to join the game earlier, but he’d insisted on sitting this one out — claiming he just wanted to “watch for a bit.” The truth was, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from you.

You moved with an easy confidence that he adored, every jump and spin a blend of grace and energy. The sound of your laughter drifted over the beach, light and unguarded, the kind of sound that always seemed to pull a smile out of him no matter what kind of day he was having.

That bikini you were wearing — the one he’d helped you pick out just yesterday — suited you perfectly. He remembered how shy you’d been at first, standing in front of the mirror, twisting the strings between your fingers while asking if it looked okay. He’d told you then that you were stunning, and he meant it now even more than he did then. Seeing you out there, confident and carefree, made him realize just how lucky he was.

You dove for the ball, sand scattering around your legs, and he couldn’t help but grin. Every movement — the curve of your back, the glint of sunlight on your skin, the way your hair stuck to your shoulders — all of it felt hypnotic to him.

As you straightened up, brushing sand from your thighs, you caught him watching. For a second, your eyes met, and a soft smile curved your lips — the kind of smile that was just for him.

He felt his pulse quicken, that familiar warmth spreading through him. He chuckled under his breath and took a sip from one of the drinks he was holding - the other one waiting for you, while he found himself still unable to look away.