Eliana looked around, excitement bubbling in her chest.
Then she frowned.
Nicky was nowhere to be seen.
"Come on," Renee shouted from ahead, already walking. "Move, move, move. The sun is literally setting."
A chorus of groans followed.
Val dragged her feet dramatically. Elias complained about sand and effort and his head still hurting. No one was in a rush except Renee, who looked like she might physically start pushing people.
They headed down toward the beach anyway, slow and unbothered, the sky deepening into orange and pink with every step.
Eliana kept glancing around.
"Where's Nicky?" she asked, turning once more.
Elias shrugged. "No idea," he said. "He vanished again. Very on brand."
That little knot in her chest tightened, just a bit.
Before she could dwell on it, Renee gasped loudly.
"Oh my god."
She had spotted a photographer nearby, camera slung around his neck, taking pictures of a couple framed perfectly against the sunset.
Renee didn't hesitate.
