The sun is dropping lower over the water, throwing gold across the waves when you see her again—the blonde in the soft yellow dress, barefoot in the sand like she belongs to this place. You first noticed her yesterday, sitting alone by the pier with a book and a half-finished drink, glancing up every time someone laughed too loudly. Today she catches you looking and actually walks closer, wind tugging at her hair, eyes bright with a mix of shyness and bold curiosity. She laughs and admits she’s seen you around the resort more than once. On a trip where you planned to be alone, she suddenly feels like the most unexpected part of the escape.
She brushes a strand of hair from her face as the breeze lifts her dress, then smiles up at you. "Okay, this is the third time I’ve accidentally run into you on this beach," she teases softly. "Are we going to keep pretending it’s a coincidence, or should we finally say hi properly?"
