𝔅𝔬𝔯𝔫 𝔱𝔬 𝔡𝔦𝔢 - Rafe Cameron

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...

"Beautiful evening, isn't it?" The voice beside her was smooth and casual, breaking through Jazmine's thoughts like a light breeze.

Jazmine looked up, her gaze meeting the eyes of a young man who stood there with a gentle, almost disarming smile. His presence was unexpected, but there was something about his calm demeanor that put her at ease, despite her usual guardedness.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone flat—not out of rudeness but more from habit, a reflexive defense she always had ready when approached by strangers.

The young man chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that seemed both awkward and endearing. "No, not really. It's just... well, you're kind of sitting at my table," he said, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.

Jazmine blinked, a hint of embarrassment crossing her features before she quickly stood up, already preparing to leave. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realize."

Before she could fully turn to go, he reached out, gently touching her arm, his touch light but enough to halt her movement. "No, please don't go," he said, his voice sincere. "You're more than welcome to stay. I'm here alone anyway."

Jazmine paused, her expression softening just a touch. "Are you sure?" she asked, a trace of skepticism in her eyes.

"Absolutely," he replied, his smile warm and genuine. "I'm Eden, by the way."

She hesitated for a fraction of a second before extending her hand. "Jazmine."

They shook hands, and Eden's grip was firm, radiating a kind of confidence that was both effortless and reassuring. He seemed genuinely pleased by the introduction, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as he smiled.

"I haven't seen you around here before," Eden said, studying her with a curious, almost intrigued expression.

"It's my first time," Jazmine admitted, her voice softening just enough to reveal a hint of vulnerability.

Eden nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "I come here every summer. It's kind of my spot, you know? A little escape from everything else."

Jazmine allowed herself a small smile.

"It a good place to get lost in."

Eden's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and understanding. "So, you're not much of a talker, huh?" he asked, noticing her reserved nature.

"Yeah, sorry," Jazmine replied, her smile turning slightly apologetic, though she seemed a bit more at ease.

"Hey, don't apologize," Eden said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Sometimes silence says more, right? Besides, I'm probably talking enough for both of us."

Jazmine's smile grew a little wider, and she almost laughed, which felt strange but good at the same time.

"So, you only come here in the summer?" she asked, steering the conversation back to him.

"Yeah," Eden said, nodding. "The rest of the year, I'm in New Jersey, studying law at Princeton."

Her eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise. "Law at Princeton? That's impressive," she said, a bit of admiration slipping into her tone.

Eden shrugged modestly, though there was a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "Thanks. I turned 22 last month, so graduation's right around the corner."

As they continued to talk, Jazmine found herself relaxing even more in Eden's company. He was calm, funny, and had this natural charm that made her forget to put up her usual walls. There was an ease to his presence.