Stavanger Bay losing feeling's getting old

"not a prob." he followed at her side dutifully, nerves fraying with every step. velen had indeed noticed how she had seemed reluctant, almost shy. perhaps it was the prospect of having him close.
velen and dalia were not strangers to one another, but it was one thing to frisk and wrestle on the beach, and another to have what amounted to a sleepover. perhaps she was regretting her offer, but did not think she could retract it now.
of course, velen would have released her from it in a heartbeat, but they were nearing where he knew her den to be, and his tongue twisted into silence. it would be nice to be warm, instead of drying slowly in the cold air on the beach. a night swim in the winter was a pretty foolish thing to do, after all.
he glanced toward dalia now, an encouraging expression lighting his gaze, though for once, no witty quip came to mind.