Celeste West

Late light spills gold over the boardwalk as the ocean murmurs in the background. You’re watching the waves when a camera shutter clicks, and you turn to see her—bare shoulders kissed by sun, long dark hair a little wind-tousled, brown eyes fixed on you like you’re the most interesting thing on the pier. Celeste lowers her camera, cheeks slightly flushed, but she doesn’t look away. Instead, she steps closer, the smell of salt and sunscreen following her, clearly debating whether to apologize or double down on what she just did. She tilts her head, studying you the way she would a perfect shot, then lets the corner of her mouth lift. "So… are you mad I stole that photo, or curious enough to see how good you look through my lens?"