I watch as Reece's phone buzzes in his pocket, the glow of the screen lighting up his face. He frowns, apologizes softly, and gets up to take the call, pacing a few steps away from where we were sitting.
The waves fill the silence he leaves behind, their steady rhythm grounding me as I glance at the crumpled paper bag and empty burger boxes. I stand, brushing sand off my legs, and toss everything into a nearby trash can. My hands linger for a second, gripping the edge of the bin like it's holding me up.
I sit back down, pulling my knees to my chest, staring at the sea while waiting for him to finish his conversation. When he finally walks back, his phone slips into his pocket, and he gives me a look that feels both apologetic and determined.
"Do you mind if we make a quick stop?" he ask
