Page 42 of The Purest Fake

“I agree. There’s nothing better than a beach walk to make you feel connected to nature.”

“Oh, and I also have a bit of an obsession with true crime podcasts,” I add.

Cooper raises an eyebrow. “True crime, huh? That’s slightly different from taking pictures of the ocean.”

I laugh. “I know, it’s a strange combination. But I find the investigative aspect fascinating. Plus, it helps me appreciate the storytelling techniques other podcasters use.”

“That makes sense.” He nods. “Do you ever think about branching out into other types of podcasts?”

“Sometimes. I’ve toyed with different ideas but none of them grabbed me. Maybe I should take advantage of our situation and do one about football,” I joke.

He smiles. “You should. I volunteer to be the first guest.”

“Then the podcast is sure to be a success,” I say, winking.

We continue strolling along the shoreline with the chilling temperature of the wet sand numbing our feet. We round a bend, and I freeze in place.

“What’s wrong?” Cooper asks.

“Not a thing. I need to take a picture.” Pulling my phone from my pocket, I hold it up and turn it sideways, capturing as much of this view as possible. Above the horizon is a soft pink that deepens, intensifying the higher I look. There are strokes of orange and purple, looking as if a paint brush swept across the sky. Returning my phone to my pocket, I glance at Cooper. “Sorry about that.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. You felt inspired. Actually, I’m feeling it too.” He tugs his phone out, holding it up.

“Whoa. Wait a second,” I say, stepping closer and turning his phone sideways in his hands. “You’ll get more of the view.”

“Good point. How’s this?” he asks.

Leaning in, I glance through his screen and notice he’s missing some of the most vivid colors. I place my hands on top of his, shifting a bit to the left. “There. Now you’ll capture the most stunning area. Although, since art is subjective, what I think is best, you might not.”

“I’ll happily accept your advice,” he says, taking a few pictures. “How’d I do?” He moves over until our shoulders are touching, and scrolls through the images.

“You did great.” I smile at him.

“You helped.” One side of his mouth arcs upward in an adorably endearing crooked smile.

“It would’ve been fine no matter what. How can you go wrong with this view?” I wave my hand to encompass the sea and sky.

“So beautiful,” he says, looking at me.

My chest tightens at the intensity of his gaze as it moves over every part of my face before connecting with mine. “You’re an amazing woman, Scarlett.”

My tongue feels thick in my mouth as I form a reply. “You think?”

He shakes his head. “Iknow.It’s hard to get my mind off football, especially after losing a game, yet you succeed every time we’re together.”

“Oh.”

He shifts positions, facing me, and cups my cheek in his palm. His other hand goes to the small of my back. “You’re thoughtful, kindhearted, and beautiful… inside and out.”

My heart starts racing and I’m at a loss for words. I wrap my fingers around his wrist and hold on. We stand here, staring at one another, the sound of crashing waves in the background with the lines blurring more as each second ticks by.

Is he going to kiss me? Oh my God, I think he’s gonna kiss me.

As much as I’d like to experience his lips on mine again, that’s not what either of us needs.

I clear my throat, breaking the spell. “So, um, do you have a favorite alien theory?”

Cooper’s eyes widen and then he seems to shake himself out of the moment. He drops his hand from my cheek and takes a small step back, his other hand sliding away from my lower back. The intensity of the moment is gone, but a charged energy still lingers between us.

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