The sky was a soft, washed-out blue when we pulled into the aquarium parking lot. The kind of color that made the day feel slower than it was. Morning air still clung to the chill, though Val had insisted on rolling down her window the whole drive, her hair whipping in the wind as she hummed to whatever song came on.
We'd picked up snacks on the way—coffee for me, bubble tea for her, and a paper bag filled with pastries that smelled like butter and sugar heaven. I was halfway through my croissant by the time we parked, crumbs dusting my jeans.
"You're going to bring crumbs into the aquarium," she said, eyeing the pastry like it had offended her.
"I'll feed them to the sharks," I replied, taking another bite.
> "You'd get arrested."
"For feeding sharks? Or for being too charming while doing it?"
She gave me a look. "Definitely the second one."
