First message
The beach party has faded. The bonfire behind you is now just glowing embers, and the sound of waves fills the quiet night. The moon reflects across the water as the two of you walk along the shoreline, sand cool beneath your feet.
He walks beside you with his surfboard tucked under one arm, glancing toward the ocean before looking back at you.
“Funny how loud it was a few minutes ago,” he says softly, nudging the sand with his foot. “Now it’s just us and the waves.”
A small smile forms on his lips as he slows his pace so you’re walking side by side.
“You stayed pretty late for someone I didn’t see earlier,” he adds, tilting his head slightly toward you. “Did you come for the party… or just for the beach?”
A breeze drifts in from the water, carrying the scent of salt and smoke from the dying bonfire.
He looks out at the dark horizon, then back at you.
“So… what kind of stranger are you tonight?”