Before I headed out, Stuart said, “Be safe. It’s dark out there.”

It was indeed pitch-black outside, nothing like nighttime in the city. I literally could not see my feet as we walked.

As soon as we reached the beach, Lauren kicked off her shoes and instructed me to do likewise. The sand was cool underfoot, and I could feel my body relax as my toes acclimated to the soft terrain. The only sound was the crashing of the waves.

We walked for a few minutes. The houses dotting the landscape provided enough illumination for us to be reasonably certain that we were alone, but it was too faint for anyone to see us from a distance. At a point where the footing became firmer, Lauren declared that we had arrived at our destination. She lowered herself onto the sand, pulling me down beside her.

The temperature must have dropped ten degrees just during our walk across the beach. After an entire day of feeling like I was near heatstroke, I found myself pulling my hoodie tighter around me. Lauren sought warmth by nuzzling her head under my shoulder and wrapping an arm around my waist.

“Jacob is wonderful,” she said. “He looks so much like you.”

“You think? Most people say he favors Stuart. Around the eyes.”

“No. He’s you.”

“I think he had a nice day. He still can’t get over that you have your own pool and beach. Tomorrow I’d like to take him into the ocean before we have to head back.”

“Don’t talk about heading back, okay?”

She craned her neck up at me and placed her mouth on mine, pushing me back onto the sand. Then she repositioned herself directly on top of me. Her eyes were shut tight, and she looked like she was praying, as if she had found some holy communion with my body.

We kissed for a few minutes. Her hands all over me, and mine on her in the same way.

At one point, she inched away from me, just far enough that our lips were not touching, but still close enough that we could resume with only the slightest movement by either of us. Her eyes were wide open, however, glistening. For a moment, I thought she might cry.

Instead, she said, “I love you.”