When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 161: The Seaside Walk

Chapter 161: The Seaside Walk

As the meal came to an end, Timmy leaned back in his chair, smiling softly. "The food was great, right?" he asked, though the slight uncertainty in his voice betrayed him.

Lily wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded. "I’ll give it to you, Timmy. That was pretty amazing. You might just have a hidden talent."

Timmy chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I’m glad you think so. I was thinking..." He hesitated for a moment. "Maybe we can take a walk by the seaside? It’ll help us digest."

Lily blinked, surprised by the suggestion. For a second, her usual logical side wanted to decline, but something about the way he looked at her—hopeful and earnest—made her change her mind.

"That sounds... nice," she admitted, standing up. "Let’s go."

The air outside was cool, with a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the shore was soothing, and Lily felt herself relaxing more than she had in weeks.

As they walked along the sandy path, Timmy kept stealing glances at her. She seemed different now—lighter, freer.

"You’re quiet," Lily teased, breaking the silence. "Are you tired from all the cooking?"

Timmy laughed, shaking his head. "No, just enjoying the view."

Lily raised an eyebrow, smirking. "The view? Are you flirting with me now?"

Timmy’s cheeks turned red, and he quickly looked away. "The sea! I meant the sea!"

Lily laughed, a sound so carefree and genuine that it startled even her. She wasn’t used to hearing her own laughter in moments like this. It felt strange but good.

As they continued walking, Lily didn’t realize how much she had changed in the past hour. She wasn’t the composed, professional woman she always prided herself on being. Her usual guarded demeanor, the wall she built between her work life and personal life, was gone.

Without thinking, she nudged Timmy playfully with her elbow. "You’re blushing again," she teased.

Timmy looked at her, wide-eyed. "I am not!"

"You so are!" Lily laughed, her voice light and teasing. She reached down, picking up a small shell from the sand. "Here, take this. A souvenir for your epic blushing moment."

Timmy took the shell, shaking his head but smiling. "You’re enjoying this too much."

"Maybe I am," Lily said, spinning around on the sand. She felt the breeze in her hair, the warmth of the sun on her face, and for once, she didn’t care how she looked or what anyone thought.

Timmy watched her, unable to hide his grin. She was different now—completely different from the Lily he had met at work. Back then, she was all sharp edges and focus, her mind always a step ahead. But now, she was carefree, laughing, and teasing like she had nothing to worry about.

Soon, they reached a quieter part of the beach. The sand was untouched, soft beneath their feet.

"Let’s see if I can match your footprints," Lily said suddenly, stepping behind him. She placed her feet carefully into his footprints, laughing as she tried to keep up.

"You’re terrible at this," Timmy said, glancing back at her. "You’re stepping all over the place."

"That’s because your feet are too big," Lily shot back, sticking her tongue out at him.

Timmy stopped walking and turned to face her. "Are you always this competitive?"

Lily pretended to think for a moment before grinning. "Only when I’m winning."

They ended up by the water’s edge, where the waves lapped gently at their feet. Without thinking, Lily splashed a bit of water at Timmy.

"Hey!" he protested, laughing.

"Catch me if you can!" Lily shouted, running ahead.

Timmy chased after her, their laughter echoing across the beach. For a moment, it was as if they were kids again, unbothered by the world around them.

Timmy finally caught up to her, panting slightly. As she turned to face him, still laughing, he paused. The carefree smile on her face, the light in her eyes—it reminded him of something.

Or someone.

A memory flashed in his mind. The woman he had seen at the restaurant that day after his drowning incident. He had thought it was a hallucination, a trick of his tired mind. But now, looking at Lily, he realized it wasn’t.

"It was you," he murmured softly.

Lily tilted her head, confused. "What was me?"

Timmy shook his head, smiling. "Nothing. Just... you look really happy right now."

Lily beamed, her face glowing. "Well, that’s because I’m having fun. Don’t ruin it with weird comments."

Timmy chuckled, but his thoughts were racing. This version of Lily—the vibrant, carefree Lily—was so different from the one he had first met. And for some reason, he found himself wishing she would always be like this.

Lily noticed the way he was staring at her, lost in thought. She frowned slightly. "Okay, what’s going on? You’ve been staring at me for a while now. Is there something on my face?"

Timmy blinked, startled. "What? No, nothing’s on your face!"

She raised an eyebrow, not convinced. "Are you sure? No sand? No seaweed? I swear, if there’s something weird..."

"There’s nothing," Timmy interrupted, laughing. "I was just... I was thinking about how happy you look. I hope you’ll always smile and laugh like that."

His words caught her off guard. She stared at him, her smile fading slightly as she processed what he had said.

It struck her then—how much she had changed around him. The walls she had so carefully built were gone. She wasn’t acting professional or detached anymore. She was just... Lily.

And it scared her.

For a moment, Lily didn’t know what to say. She looked away, her gaze falling to the sand beneath her feet.

"Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" Timmy asked gently.

She shook her head, forcing a smile. "No reason. Just thinking."

Timmy studied her, but he didn’t press. Instead, he reached down and picked up another shell, handing it to her.

"For your collection," he said with a grin.

Lily took it, her fingers brushing against his. She felt a strange warmth in her chest, one she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

"Thanks," she said softly.

As they continued walking, the lightheartedness returned, but a part of Lily couldn’t shake the realization. Timmy was breaking down her walls, piece by piece, without even trying. And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to stop him.