The sun was just beginning to dip low over the ocean, casting a soft golden glow across the waves as they rolled gently onto the shore. Ryan and Haley walked barefoot along the edge of the water, their shoes forgotten somewhere up the sand, fingers laced together and swinging between them. The breeze was warm but playful, tugging at Haley’s hair as she laughed, a book tucked under her other arm—because of course she brought one, just in case.

Ryan looked over at her and smiled. “You brought a book to the beach.”

“I bring a book everywhere,” Haley said, smirking. “Just because we’re in paradise doesn’t mean I can’t catch up on my reading.”

“Respect,” Ryan said, then leaned down to pick up a smooth seashell. “You want this for your aesthetic shelf or should I toss it at a seagull?”

“Ryan!” she said, pretending to be scandalized, even though she was laughing.

They walked a little further before Ryan broke into a sprint toward the water. Haley shouted after him—“You better not get me wet!”—but she was already chasing him, her laughter echoing across the empty beach. He splashed into the surf just as she caught up, both of them drenched in salty spray, grinning like little kids.

Eventually, they collapsed onto their beach blanket, wet clothes sticking and sand getting everywhere, but neither of them cared. Haley laid her head on Ryan’s chest while he rested one hand on her back, the other brushing through her damp hair. The sky above was slowly turning pastel pink and lavender.

“This is the kind of moment I want to live in forever,” Haley whispered.