The scent of grilled food still lingered in the air, blending with the sharp salt of the sea and the faint smoke from the bonfire now crackling at the center of the beach.
Everyone had gathered in a loose circle, sitting on monoblock chairs, driftwood, or just beach towels sprawled over the sand. The air was cooler now, the day’s heat long gone, replaced by soft wind and the warmth of the flames. The bonfire flickered, casting shadows across everyone’s faces, making the moment feel more intimate—like a memory in the making.
Mikaela sat between Chinky and a teammate from accounting, her knees pulled close to her chest, arms wrapped around them. She kept her head slightly down, watching the fire rather than the faces of her officemates. Her hair was loose now, strands blowing across her ch
