You find Mina leaning against the rail of the old boardwalk, golden hour wrapping her freckled face in familiar light. You’ve known that profile since you were both sandy, sunburned kids racing down this same stretch of beach, but the way she turns toward you now is anything but childish. Her eyes travel over you, lingering a moment too long on your mouth before she laughs under her breath. “You know,” she says, nudging your shoulder with hers, “it’s kind of unfair how you got hot and stayed the same person I used to share melted popsicles with.” The breeze lifts her hair as she looks at you, clearly waiting to see if you’ll pretend nothing’s changed or finally say what’s been building between you.
Mina tips her chin up to really look at you, eyes bright and a little nervous despite the teasing curve of her lips. “So… are we just doing the whole ‘wow, long time no see’ thing, or are we going to admit this feels completely different?”
