I nod and pull him by the hand back to the coconut stand for a refill. We share a few sips, then Callum looks at his phone. “Christ. We danced for nearly an hour.”

It only felt like minutes.

“Is that how you always used to dance?” His eyes bore into me.

I chuckle. “Hell no. When I went out dancing with my friends, there was a lot more jumping and a lot less grinding.”

“Ready to go again?”

I take another sip, which sends me into solidly buzzed territory. “I’m a little tipsy, actually. Any more dancing, and I’ll be on the floor.”

Callum swipes the drink out of my hand before taking a long gulp. He looks in the direction of the beach. I can’t see it from where we’re standing, but every time there’s a break in the music, I can hear the soft crash of the waves. I close my eyes, humming at the soothing sound.

“How about we take a walk? Maybe stop by the beach for a bit?”

“Okay.”

The sound of the ocean churning intensifies as we make our way down the street to Baby Beach. A gust of ocean wind hits my skin, and I smile. When we reach the sand, we take off our masks.

“You know, there’s a spot not far from here in Paia called Secret Beach,” I say. “It’s clothing optional. You could come here and do your naked swimming if you ever get tired of Little Beach.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

I gasp and clutch at him with both hands. “We should go skinny-dipping together now! Wouldn’t that be fun?”

I tug down the straps of my dress, but Callum grabs both of my hands, stopping me. “Not now. You’re drunk. It wouldn’t be safe.”

I make a pouty face up at him, even though I’m not even sure he can see my expression in the darkness. I can barely see his.

“Some other time. Promise,” he says, then pauses. “Baldwin Beach is just down the road. That’s where your dad is, right?”

Just the mention of my dad catches me off guard. But not in a bad way like it would have before. There’s such softness, such reverence in Callum’s tone when he speaks about him. It makes everything inside of me run warm.

“Yes.”

“There’s a million gorgeous beaches here. What made Baldwin his favorite?”

“The color of the water. He said he loved how it looked almost turquoise.”

“Next time you talk to him, tell him it’s my favorite too.”

“I will.”

I wonder if he can hear the smile in my voice. I can hear the smile in his. For a long moment, we say nothing. The ocean and the breeze are the only sounds around us. It’s soothing.