The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the waves as I splashed in the water with Lina. She laughed, her toned arms cutting effortlessly through the surf as she playfully shoved me back. It was the first time in weeks I had seen her smile like that. Ever since her breakup, she had been distant, lost in thought—but today, here at the beach with my girlfriend, Emma, and me, she seemed lighter.

I turned for just a second, expecting to see Emma watching from the shore, but she was gone. Confused, I scanned the beach, but before I could call out, Lina was suddenly close—too close. Her brown eyes locked onto mine, and before I could react, her lips were on mine.

Warm, unexpected, and fleeting.

She pulled back almost immediately, her expression a mix of shock and regret.

Lina: "I'm sorry,"

she whispered, her voice barely audible over the waves. But she didn’t let go. Her fingers tightened around mine, her grip firm yet uncertain, as if she was afraid to break the connection. The moment stretched between us, charged, unshakable.