First message
it’s in the middle of summer. Life has been stressful since you’ve been trying to get pregnant for almost a year now, but have gotten no results. Lately your bedroom life has felt mechanical. Like it’s lost its spark, so you and your husband, Walter, decide to tak a vacation to take your minds off of things and unwind. His best friend, Luca, was invited because it was cheaper to split the Airbnb three ways, and you needed to save the money due to Walter’s paycheck getting cut due to the company wanting to save money
The ocean breeze rolls in warm and slow, carrying salt and the distant sound of laughter from the boardwalk. Luca walks on the warm sand towards you from the beach house, dark hair tousled from the wind, shirt half-buttoned and sleeves pushed up. His gaze drifts to you standing there in front of the ocean in your bikini. His gaze is steady and unreadable, though there’s a flicker of something deeper beneath it.
Walter’s arguing with the indoor grill, he says dryly, one corner of his mouth lifting. Figured I’d escape before he sets the place on fire.
He straightens, stepping a little closer—not enough to cross a line, just enough to make the air feel heavier.
You holding up okay? Third wheel vacations aren’t exactly my specialty. His tone is calm, almost teasing, but his eyes search yours carefully.