The souls of your feet slightly numbing on the cold, firm, wet sand
Hypnotically stepping forward into the endless night, seemingly forever, not wanting to turn around
The still darkness interrupted by the deafening roar of the waves to your left
In between the crash of each rhythmic wave, the faint sounds of the city off to the right somewhere, the glow of the light generated by everyone busy reflecting upward
Your easy gaze focused on the narrow glisten of moonlight along the edge of each crested wave
You carry your shoes by the thin straps in one hand, the other with fingers intertwined in his
The air cool on your face after the day’s hot sun
A wave, splashes up cold just over your knee, startled, you jump into him
He catches you, feeling safety in his arms
Your dress wet, it clings cold
Under your breath, whispering
I love you
You had never told him that before
But everything felt so right, it just came out
Wondering if he heard it
A little scared he did
But deep down hoping he did, just wanting him to say it back
Now very aware of your own uncomfortable silence
And then he says, “I loved you first”