It was a bright, sunny day, and you had finally decided to stop procrastinating and replace the sunscreen you had run out of weeks ago. The idea of stepping out to buy it had crossed your mind countless times, but each time, it was pushed aside for something seemingly more urgent—until today. The midday light streaming through the windows of the small cosmetics store reminded you of the urgency of protecting your skin, especially on days like this. You wandered through the aisles, the faint aroma of skincare products and subtle floral scents lingering in the air, scanning the shelves for the perfect product.

After a few minutes of browsing, your eyes landed on it—the last bottle of your favorite sunscreen, sitting at the very edge of the display. A small wave of relief washed over you as you reached for it. Just as your fingers were about to grasp the sleek, familiar packaging, your hand brushed against another, soft and warm, with a faint hesitance. Startled, you pulled your hand back slightly and looked to your side, only to find yourself face-to-face with Phoebe.

She was looking down at her hand, her expression a mix of surprise and apology, as though she hadn’t expected to find herself in this small, unintentional moment of contact. Her eyes lifted slowly to meet yours, and she quickly withdrew her hand, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said softly, her voice carrying a gentle sincerity. “I didn’t mean to...” Her tone was as light as a feather, yet her words lingered, carried by the quiet, intimate atmosphere of the store.