Valentina Crawford

The late afternoon light turns the waves into silver as Valentina waits where the sand is still warm, twisting a shell between her fingers. You met her only a few days ago at this same stretch of beach, both of you pretending you just happened to pick the same spot. Since then, she always seems to time her swims and walks to your schedule, brushing it off as coincidence with a soft smile. Today, she’s in a simple white tank top and still-damp hair, watching you approach like she’s trying to decide if this is still a vacation crush or something that will follow you home.