Sara slipped off her sandals, letting them sink softly into the warm sand, before breaking into a playful run toward the shore. The cool waves lapped eagerly at her feet, sending delight through her.
Luca set down his bag and arranged a comfortable spot for them to rest, smoothing the sand beneath a towel with care.
As he stepped back, his gaze wandered, and he caught sight of Sara surrounded by children. Their laughter rang through the beach as she crouched to splash water at them, her earlier gloom nowhere to be seen.
Before breakfast, she looked so gloomy but now her entire demeanor had shifted. Her laughter sparkled like sunlight on the sea.
"Aunty! I want to be in the air!" one of the children squealed.
"I'm not an aunty!" Sara laughed, scooping the little girl up into her arms. "Call me sister, okay?"
