Page 28 of Surfer's Paradise

The familiarity of it hit her deep.

And she hated that she softened—just a little.

Isaac placed their usual order without asking.

Then he pulled into a parking spot, put the truck in park, and handed her a perfectly greasy paper bag with their food.

And just like that, they were kids again.

Just like that, some of the weight lifted.

The first few bites were silent.

Not tense, not loaded. Just… comfortable.

Rosie sipped her shake, sighed softly, and let herself sink into the moment.

Isaac unwrapped his burger, stretching his legs out as he leaned back against the seat, exhaling like he was finally letting go of something too.

“You’ve been gone a long time,” she said, breaking the quiet.

Isaac smirked around a bite of his burger. “Miss me?”

Rosie rolled her eyes. “No.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Lying again. So transparent.”

“What’s there to miss? I hardly hear from you anymore.”

“You never respond, so what’s the point?”

She ignored him, stealing one of his fries just to be a menace.

Isaac flicked her hand away, stealing one of hers in retaliation.

“Hey—”

“Tax,” he said, chewing smugly.

“Fine.” Rosie huffed, leaning back. “Where have you even been?”

Isaac hesitated.

For a second, she thought he wouldn’t answer.

Then he sighed, giving in. “Shouldn’t tell you, but… Egypt, Bahrain, Philippines. Spent a few weeks freezing my ass off in Norway. Then back to the Middle East. You know. Here, there, everywhere.”

Rosie took a sip of her shake, considering. “What’s Norway like?”

Isaac smirked. “Fucking cold.”

She snorted. “Yeah, no shit. Details, Rayleigh.”

Isaac wiped his mouth with a napkin, thinking. “Snow’s different there. It’s so dry, it’s like powder. You can grab a handful, and it’s like dust slipping through your fingers.”

Rosie tilted her head, intrigued. “That sounds beautiful.”

Isaac shrugged. “Would’ve been if I wasn’t neck-deep in it for twelve hours straight.”

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