"It was a wonderful day," Kathrine said softly as they settled onto the sand, the sea stretching endlessly before them. Moonlight shimmered over the waves, their rhythmic sound filling the silence between them. "Thank you for making it so worthwhile."
Ethan turned his head to look at her. For the first time that day, something unfamiliar stirred in his chest, warm and unsettling all at once.
"I'm glad I lived up to your expectations," he replied with a small smile. "Honestly, if it weren't for you, I'd probably be stuck in my studio right now, lying to my mother that I had work."
Kathrine let out a quiet sigh, her smile lingering as she kept her gaze on the water. The breeze lifted a few strands of her hair, brushing them across her cheek.
"Kathrine," Ethan called suddenly.
She turned to him. The uncertainty in his eyes caught her off guard, stealing the ease from her breath. Before she could ask what was wrong, he reached out, his hand coming up to cup her face.
