She kisses him back, soft and affectionate, her fingers brushing gently against his beard. The compliment makes her laugh, and she shifts, resting her forehead against his. What an Alex thing to say.

"Didn't realize it was a competition, sailor."

There's a part of her that wonders if Alex really doesn't get it—how impressive and kind he is, how her attraction to him is magnetic and utterly overwhelmingly. She should tell him, she thinks, but her mind is so fuzzy she knows there's no point now. Later, she tells herself as she sneaks another kiss.