Samantha cleared her throat, looking back at the waves. “Feels weird, doesn’t it? Being back here after so long.”

“Yeah,” Addison admitted softly. “But good weird.” She glanced at her, something unreadable in her gaze. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”

Samantha’s chest tightened. She managed a crooked smile. “Me too.”

Another silence fell, but this one wasn’t easy. It was heavier, charged. Samantha felt it in the way Addison’s eyes lingered on her for just a second too long. In the way her own heartbeat picked up whenever Addison’s knee brushed hers in the sand.

Finally, Addison sat up fully, tucking her knees to her chest. “You’re staring,” she said...