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“Hey, just wanted to say hi.” Delete.

“How are the fish? Has Pippa come home?” Delete.

“I miss you.” Absolutely not. Delete.

I stared at the screen, then typed:

Me: Thinking about you.

Send.

Down by the water, the man stopped. Hunched over a little. Didn’t look like a shell collector. Maybe he was looking for shark teeth.

Seconds passed.

Then my phone pinged.

I jumped. At least the coffee that sloshed onto my wrist wasn’t hot.

Noah: What a coincidence. I’m doing the same thing.

My stomach flipped, and I stared at the message. Had I expected him to answer? Maybe? But not right away.

Me: Is that so?

Noah: Yup. In fact, I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.

I blinked. Heat bloomed in my cheeks. My heart was pounding even though I felt lighter than I had in weeks.

Me: Who is this again?

Noah: Just a guy you met on vacation.

Me: Oh, right. I vaguely recall...

Down on the beach, the man stood still again.

He was facing this way now, with a phone in his hand.

I watched him for a long second.

His build. His posture. The way he held his head slightly tilted.

Another ping.

Noah: What are you wearing?

I snorted.

Me: Silk pajamas and fluffy slippers, of course. Lazing around my castle.

Noah: You’d look just as good in shorts and a sweatshirt—barefoot.

I laughed, but then…glanced down…at my shorts and one of my oldest hoodies, stained with coffee now. At my bare feet.

My fingers hovered over the touchscreen.

Me: What about you?