CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT - *FASHION SHOW*

After lunch, they decided to explore the shoreline. They collected seashells, Erik showing off his knowledge of marine life as he identified different species. At one point, they came across a tidepool teeming with life. Erik's eyes lit up with childlike wonder as he pointed out tiny fish and colorful anemones. "I've always loved the ocean," he said softly, his eyes on the tidepool. "It's so vast, so mysterious. It makes you feel small, but in a good way. Like your problems aren't as big as they seem." Anna watched him, seeing a side of Erik she hadn't seen before. This wasn't the polished businessman or the charming host. This was just Erik, open and vulnerable. As the afternoon wore on, they decided to build a sandcastle. What started as a simple structure quickly turned into an elaborate fortress, complete with a moat and seashell decorations. They worked together seamlessly, laughing and teasing each other as they built. "You know," Erik said as they put the finishing touches o