Robin
×××

Ali is a vibe.

The kind of person who makes everything feel lighter, easier. The kind of person who walks into a room and makes it warmer just by being there.

We spend the next hour talking by the fire, the conversation flowing effortlessly between us. She's funny in this understated way, confident but never overbearing. I like the way she talks-with this casual ease, like she's never in a rush to fill the silence, like she actually enjoys letting the conversation breathe.

And for the first time in what feels like forever, I'm not thinking about Heather.

I'm not thinking about heartbreak or weddings or anything that's been weighing me down. I'm just... here. With Ali. And it feels good.

The fire crackles beside us, casting a warm glow over her skin. She tilts her head slightly, studying me like she's trying to figure something out.

"You're quieter than I expected," she says, amusement flickering in her dark eyes.

I arch a brow. "Oh? And what exactly did you expect?"

She grins. "I don't know. Took you for chaos."

Something in my stomach twists, but I push past it, forcing a smirk. "That sounds about right."

"Mm." She sips her drink. "Guess I was just expecting someone a little more... I don't know. Restless."

I exhale, rolling my glass between my fingers. "Maybe I am."

Ali leans in just a fraction, like she's interested in more than just small talk. "Not tonight, though?"

"Not tonight."

She watches me for a beat longer, and then, with a slow smile, she extends her hand. "Come on. Let's go for a walk."

I don't hesitate.

The beach is cool beneath my feet, the moon bright and full above us, casting silver light over the water. The air is thick with salt and the distant sound of waves rolling in, steady and endless.

Ali walks beside me, hands tucked into the pockets of her sweater, the firelight behind us fading into the distance.

"I don't think I've ever seen a sky this clear," she says, tilting her head back. "You can see everything out here."

I glance up. She's right. The stars are endless, stretching across the night like scattered diamonds. It makes everything feel small in a way I kind of like.

She nudges me lightly. "You always this quiet on moonlit walks, or am I just that boring?"

I chuckle. "You're definitely not boring."

"Good to know." She bumps her shoulder against mine, and the warmth of the gesture lingers. "So... your family doing vacation or something ?"

I exhale, kicking at a stray shell in the sand. "My brother is getting married in two weeks. Mom thought it would be awesome to get everyone together before then."

Ali laughs. "Classic mom move."

"Right?" I shake my head. "She also said it would be 'good for me' to be around everyone."

Ali gives me a knowing look. "By 'everyone,' you mean Heather."

I don't answer right away. I don't even want to ask how she knows but I'm guessing I'm not too hard to read between all the glances I've been throwing her all night.

She doesn't push.

We walk a little farther, the ocean stretching out beside us, before I finally say, "It's weird, you know? Knowing someone so well-too well-and then one day, it's just... over."

Ali hums in understanding. "But is it really over?"

I glance at her, my chest tightening. "What do you mean?"

She shrugs, the corners of her mouth tilting up slightly. "I mean, you're still looking at her like she's the sun and you're afraid of getting burned."

The words hit a little too close.

I look away, staring out at the water. "It's complicated."

"Of course it is." She smirks. "But you know what isn't complicated?"

I turn back to her. "What?"

"This."

And then she kisses me.

It's soft at first, just the light press of her lips against mine, testing, waiting. But when I don't pull away-when I lean in instead-it deepens, turning into something warm and slow and easy.

Her hands slide up, fingers grazing my jaw, pulling me closer. I let myself melt into it, let myself get lost in the feeling of someone else, someone new, touching me without the weight of history or heartbreak.

It's nothing like kissing Heather.

And maybe that's the point.

Because with Heather, there was always something else-something unsaid, something heavy.

But with Ali?

It's just this.

No past, no future. Just a moment.

When she finally pulls back, her lips curve into a small smile. "See? Simple."

I breathe out a quiet laugh, my head still spinning. "Yeah."

And maybe that's what I need right now.

Something easy. No strings. No pain.

Just a weekend fling with someone who makes me feel alive again.

×××

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of seagulls and the smell of bacon. Brunch is already in full swing by the time I make it downstairs, the long dining table on the deck covered in platters of food.

Ali finds me just as I'm pouring a cup of coffee. She looks even more stunning in the daylight, wearing a simple white sundress that shows off her tan skin.

"Mind if I join you?" she asks.

"Not at all."

We take seats at the far end of the table, away from the rest of the family. Conversation flows easily between us, and I'm so caught up in it that I almost don't notice Heather arriving.

Almost.

She walks out onto the deck, Javis close behind. Her eyes scan the table, landing on me and Ali For a split second, her expression shifts-something sharp and unreadable flashing across her face. But then it's gone, replaced by the same polite smile she's been wearing all week.

I should ignore it. I should keep my eyes on Ali and let whatever Heather's feeling stay buried.

But I don't.

Instead, I lean closer to Ali, resting my hand lightly on hers. She raises an eyebrow but doesn't pull away.

Heather's eyes narrow ever so slightly.

Interesting.

"Who's your friend?" Heather's voice is sweet, but there's an edge to it.

"This is Ali," I say. "Ali, this is Heather. My brother's bride."

They exchange pleasantries, but the tension between them is almost palpable. Heather doesn't say much after that, but her eyes stay locked on us for the rest of the meal.

And I can't help but enjoy it.

By the time brunch is over, the air is choking. Ali suggests we go for another walk, and I agree, needing to clear my head.

We walk in silence for a while, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the space between us.

"Do you want to tell me what that was about?" she asks finally.

"What do you mean?"

She gives me a knowing look. "Come on, Robin. That woman was practically shooting daggers at me."

"It's complicated.

"It always is. You said that last night but I didn't think it was this messy."

I sigh. "Heather's... an ex. Sort of."

Ali nods slowly. "And now she's marrying that guy? Your brother?"

"Yeah."

"And she's still jealous?"

"I don't know."

She stops walking, turning to face me. "Look, I like you. And I'm all for a little weekend fling. But I'm not here to be part of some weird love triangle."

"I get it," I say. "I don't want that either."

"Good." She smiles, but there's a softness in her eyes now. "Just... be careful with yourself, okay?"

I nod. "Don't go." It comes out as a whisper and Ali kisses my forehead.

This is getting too intimate for a fling.