“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she softly stated, staring at the tiny whitecaps behind him.

“Then why do you push me away?” He pulled up his pants and buckled them.

She studied his form; watched him pull on his shirt. “Because I don’t want to have my heart broken.”

“I don’t plan on breaking it. Look, you can’t love someone completely and protect yourself. Love takes sacrifice and vulnerability.”

She smiled at him. Some weight began to lift off of her chest. She suddenly felt free and joyous. He was right.

And she loved him.

She ran to him, her joy carrying her into his arms, and he caught her momentum turning it into a spin. The embrace was warm and true.

“You always know what to say to me. That’s what’s in this for me.” She smiled and let him lean down to kiss her; a kiss which she returned wholly.

The last sliver of sun disappeared behind the waves, but a new relationship had dawned.

Hand in hand, the two sauntered off into the perfect evening.