The sun had long since set, taking the heat from the sand with it. The waves were still working relentlessly against the shoreline. In the dark, Evie could still see a few boat lights out on the horizon. They teased their warmth across the water. Evie was still taken with the sight though. New York City was full of concrete buildings and very little natural life. She was sure she could watch the tide come in and out all day long. There was a simpleness and ease in the Earth's natural charms. It was comforting to think that the ocean had been moving in and out all day long since time began and would continue her efforts until time stopped.

The only part of Evie that wasn't cold was her right hand. Her hand was fitted into Jake's as they were making their way down the beach at a leisurely pace. Their conversation had fallen into a comfortable silence after a few hours. Evie wasn't upset by that, quite the opposite. She was reveling in the intimacy of the moment.

"Chocolate or vanilla?"

Appalled, Evie responded, "strawberry." Jake chuckled. "Up or down?"

"Around," he said in a playful voice.

"Around what? That doesn't even make any sense!"

"I'm sorry I thought we were evading questions."

"No, we're just answering them," Evie moved toward him and gave his arm a flirty push. She spoke so quickly she could hardly comprehend what she was saying before it flew out of her mouth, "Why aren't you married?"

"Didn't anyone ever tell you to pull your punches on a first date?" He laughed at that and thought briefly. "Because, my career has taken up everything I've thought of or done or even just considered in the past decade. I would get married one day, if I could find a true partner," he paused. The topic had caught him off guard almost as much as his candid response. He deflected instead of continuing, "And, if that was your version of a proposal, it needs work, but very well I accept."

Evie spoke through her giggles, "I wasn't proposing. I always thought you'd marry young."

"Ouch!"

"I just meant that-" Evie stopped herself.

"Whatever it is, it's ok."

"I had a huge crush on you for years," she stopped again and stared at the sand before blurting the rest out, "I thought you were so wonderful then and now I'm here and you're still wondering and you're so handsome and…and I'm out of ands."

In a sing songy voice Jake said, "You really liiiked me. You wanted to marrrry me."

"Forget I said anything!" Jake tugged her into his side and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Evie put her arm around his waist and they continued to stumble through the sand. They walked quietly until seeing a path off the beach. There were a few other couples strolling about in the moonlight. This was obviously a popular spot for couples because there was also a man selling water ice and flowers who was still sitting at his stand after nightfall.

"Strawberry?"

"Yes, please."

Turning to the man, "Un helado de fresa y una rosa blanca, por favor."

"You speak Spanish?"

"I'm a man of the world, Evelyn." Jake paid for her ice and then to Evie's surprise handed her a white rose.

"Thank you." Evie kept her arm around his waist, but had turned her entire attention to her water ice. Jake was steering them towards one of the empty benches where they sat. The bench was cold and Evie could feel it even through her pants. She moved into Jake more. She wasn't sure where all this boldness had surfaced from. Normally on a first date Evie was awkward and wasn't used to anyone asking her questions back. It wasn't like she just met Jake though. They had known each other since they were teenagers, but people change a lot in fifteen years.

Well, Evie supposed people's emotional intelligence changes and they communicate better with more years in the rearview mirror, but do people's personalities fundamentally change? Evie decided not. She didn't have to get to know a whole new person, but rather relearn what she thought she knew about Jake. But why? Why should she relearn Jake? He lived in California and she had a career in New York.

"What are we doing, Jake?"

"Freezing," he wrapped his jacket around the both of them a little tighter.

"No. I mean this date. We live on opposite sides of the country and-"

"Evie. We don't have to decide anything right now and we don't have to do anything other than have fun. Am I the only one having fun right now?"

"No."

"You say that word a lot."

"No!" Evie fell silent before saying, "I guess I just can't shut my brain off."

I don't want you to turn off your brain, Evie. Who else is gonna tell me-" he paused and gestured vaguely, "when, I don't know, George Washington died-"

"December 14th, 1799."

"-or the atomic number for potassium-"

"Nineteen."

"-or any number of vital tidbits of information."

Evie huffed and said, "There's no one in the Navy as smart as me?"

"Definitely not. They're all, 'fly fast', 'drop bomb'."

Evie hesitantly asked, "Why don't they like the way you fly?" Jake was silent for a very long time and Evie was beginning to think she'd stepped over a line. She had finished her water ice. The damp, paper cone was starting to stick to her hand and disintegrate. Then he started to speak.

"I lost a wingman once." He fell quiet again. For a while it seemed like he wouldn't speak again. Then he said, "I'm the only one at Top Gun with a confirmed air to air kill. I avenged my wingman. Now, when I fly, I don't get attached to a wingman. I wouldn't actually hang someone out to dry in a combat scenario, but I just can't-" When he stopped this time, he didn't start again. Evie could tell that was all she'd get.

"Did you see anyone? Like a therapist?"

"No," he looked down at his hand that at some point came to rest on Evie's knee, "could you imagine if the Navy found out I needed psychological help? I would be out of a job."

Evie considered that. She realized that she wasn't sure what to say. So, she just said, "Ok," and tucked herself further into Jake. His chin came to rest on her head. They stayed that way for what seemed like an hour.

Jake finally moved away before saying, "It's cold and it's late. I'd better get you home."