Since 1998

Chapter 16

Anna and Sam stepped back, leaving Devin and Allison alone on the shore.

Devin stood still, the kite string clutched in his hand, sweat prickling his neck despite the cool ocean breeze. Slowly, he reached out and removed the blindfold.

"Hi," he said, giving a small grin.

Allison flickered as her eyes adjusted to the light. She didn't speak, but the gratitude was evident. Devin’s thumb brushed near her temple for a second. He seemed on the verge of saying something important but stopped himself. He had a plan for her eighteenth birthday and decided that a quiet word on the beach wasn't enough.

"We got pranked," Allison laughed, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Devin replied, his voice a bit strained. "I don't know what they were thinking."

They both look toward the beach house, laughing at the mischief. "Come on out, Sam!"

Sam and Anna emerged from their hiding spot.

"They wasted the whole setup," Anna muttered, leaning against Sam.

"Same old Devin. They're playing a long game," Sam agreed, looking at Anna.

"The ultimate game of hide and seek with their feelings," Anna adds.

They sat a few meters behind Allison and Devin. Anna leans her head on Sam’s shoulder. She lets out a deep sigh.

"Damn, Sam, these muscles of yours are quite reliable," she teases. Sam doesn't answer with words; he just looks at her intensely.

"Did you know you're a goddess, Anna?"

Anna smiled but looked away. "Stop staring, Sam."

"Does it bother you?"

"No, Sam. It makes me want to kill you."

Sam leaned in, the space between them vanishing until Anna could feel the heat of his breath. He doesn't wait for permission. Sam tangles his fingers in her hair, tilting her face up to meet his. His eyes are fixed on her lips until they finally meet.

The silence made Allison turn around.

"Anna! What are you doing?"

Devin instinctively tried to shield Allison’s eyes, but she laughed and pushed his hand away. "Devin, stop! I'm not a kid."

"So what, Ali?" Anna laughed. "It’s America!"

"You're ridiculous," Allison replied.

"The 'It's America' line actually works," Devin said, laughing as the tension finally broke. But as the laughter died down, he looked at Allison and realized she was growing up.

Sam stayed close to Anna, keeping a firm grip on her hand. "So," Anna said mischievously, "when do we see you two do that?"

Sam laughed. "What kiss? He just tried to give her parental guidance!"

Devin and Allison went quiet, hiding behind wide grins.

"What if we dare you?" Anna pushed. "Right now."

"No way," Allison said quickly.

"Hard pass," Devin added.

The "hard pass" felt like a rejection to Allison. She kept her smile in place, though it felt forced. "Enough, guys. I'm heading out." She stood up and walked toward the car.

The playful mood vanished. Sam signaled for Devin to follow her. Devin caught up at the car.

"Allison... are you okay?"

"It’s fine, Devin. They just don't know when to stop." Her voice was steady, but she looked disappointed.

Devin felt a wave of guilt. Not knowing how to fix it with words, he pulled her into a hug.

"Let me drive you home," he whispered.

"Okay. Thanks, Devin."

Anna watched them leave. "Seems like I'm going home alone," she murmurs, a playful pout touching her lips.

But she doesn't get far. Sam steps into her space, wrapping his arms around her from behind and pulling her flush against his chest. The sudden heat of him makes a low moan escape her throat; her gaze was seductive. She leans back into him, all her resistance melting away as he buries his face in the crook of her neck.

"I love you," Sam whispered.

Anna doesn't give in further. Instead, she takes the lead, pulling him into one final, breathless kiss that tastes like a promise she isn't ready to keep yet. When she finally breaks away, her voice is low and slightly strained.

"I hate this day, Sam," she whispered with a shaky smile. "Drive me home. I need to rest."

Sam nodded and kept a hand on her back as they walked to the car, the silence between them feeling heavy with things left unsaid.