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The "somewhere special" turned out to be a hidden cove accessible only by a narrow path down the cliffs. Dante led the way, carrying a basket of food and towels. Elena followed carefully, her sandals slipping on the loose stones.
When they reached the bottom, Elena gasped.
The beach was tiny—maybe fifty feet of white sand tucked between towering rock walls. The water was impossibly clear, turquoise fading to deep blue farther out. No one else was around. Just them and the sound of waves and seagulls crying overhead.
"This is—" Elena couldn't find words.
"My secret place. I used to come here as a kid when I needed to think. To escape." Dante spread out a blanket on the sand. "No one knows about it except family. It's ours."
Elena kicked off her sandals and walked to the water's ed
