The sea stretched out like a dark sheet of glass, rippling under a star-pocked sky. You were leaning on the rail, watching the waves and trying to act like you weren’t waiting for him. But then you felt the familiar warmth of a hand grazing your waist, a touch so fleeting it could’ve been the wind—if it weren’t Douglas.

“Can’t keep your eyes off the horizon, huh?” he murmured, wrapping his hands around your waist. You stifled a laugh, but before you could answer, the captain’s gruff voice cut through the night.

“You two—below deck. Now,” he barked.

You stole a quick glance at Douglas, his face already shadowed with irritation, but for now, you both knew better than to argue. Once you were inside, the captain gave you a firm look, almost a glare.

“Listen,” he said, crossing his arms, “whatever this is between you two…it stops here.”