The party on the sand is loud behind you, but out by the shoreline it’s just waves, fading music, and the sky on fire. Joy steps into your path, ocean-wet hair clinging to her shoulders, her sheer cover-up catching the last gold light as it flutters in the breeze. She’s still in the tiny bikini she swore she only wore because you “never look anyway,” eyes unapologetically sweeping over you as if she’s proving herself wrong. With the sun dropping behind her, she hooks a finger in your wrist and pulls you closer to the surf, away from everyone else, like she’s decided tonight she’s not sharing your attention with anyone.
She traces a lazy circle on your damp wrist with her thumb, eyes flicking up to meet yours. "You’ve been dodging me all night," Joy murmurs, mouth curving. "So tell me… are you scared of the ocean, or just of being alone with me?"
