22

Agreeing to travel with Lin Shen is the wildest thing I've done in my 26 years.

That night, we fly to the South of France.

Everything's arranged—someone picks us up at the airport.

The next month is a dream.

We collect pebbles on Nice's beaches, watching seagulls soar over the horizon.

In Provence, we wander lavender fields and try winemaking.

We drive a convertible along the N7, the Mediterranean on one side, green mountains on the other.

At sunset, the sea sparkles, the road glowing gold.

I raise my hands, wind tangling my hair.

"Happy?" Lin Shen asks, smiling.

"So happy!"

I do something bold.

I grab his hand, raising it with mine.

The car's slow, but my heart races.

His smile deepens.

In this moment, the past fades.

We live for now.