Chapter 335

Madison

“I used to paint,” I said finally. “Watercolors, mostly. Landscapes. I haven’t done it in years. No time.”

“There’s always time for what matters,” Mia said simply.

Her words hit me harder than intended. What did matter to me? Beyond work, beyond my arrangement with Alexander, beyond my responsibilities?

“Food’s here!” Devon called, saving me from further introspection.

We feasted on fish tacos and fresh lemonade, arguing good-naturedly about whether pineapple belonged on pizza (it absolutely doesn’t) and if cereal was technically a soup (Nathaniel made a surprisingly compelling case that it was).

After eating, we decided to walk along the shore. The sand was warm between my toes, and the water occasionally lapped at my ankles. I let the others walk ahead, hanging back to absorb the moment.

The sun had begun its descent, casting golden light across the water. Families were packing up, couples strolled hand in hand, and seagulls