Chapter Eighty-Five
*The Space Between*
Another day, another escape to the beach. It was becoming their secret habit. The city, with all its schemes and sharp edges, faded behind them, replaced by the endless, forgiving horizon.
Today, the sun was high and the waves were gentle. Lyra had rolled up her trousers and was standing in the shallows, letting the foamy water rush over her feet. Xami stood a few feet back on the dry sand, hands in his pockets, watching her like she was a fascinating, unpredictable tide pool.
“You’re not even trying,” Lyra called over the crash of a wave, turning to him with a smile that felt surprisingly real out here. “The water won’t bite you.”
“It’s cold,” Xami stated, but he was smiling too, a rare, relaxed curve of his lips.
“It’s refreshing!” She bent d
