‹     ✽     ›        maybe a beer was not the fanciest drink to have in a setting like this,  but julian had always been a beer guy.   so the moment someone asked him if he wanted something,  anything,  he hadn’t hesitated to ask for one.   with the bottle in hand,  he approached the huge bonfire in the middle of the beach,  his spirits high,  his eyes bright in the face of the flames.   he sat by someone’s side,  someone he didn’t recognize.   however,  what was this thing for if not to meet new people ?   he turned to the person in question,  a winsome smile in place  ( one of those that usually said i’m trying to be friendly,  not hitting on you ),  and was ready to introduce himself when he finally realized who the person was.   a short,  breathless laugh fell from his lips.   “   sofiya ?   ”   he asked,  incredulous,  the previous laugh still present in his words.   “   nah,  this is crazy,  are you really—this can’t be real.   are you really here ?   ”   see,  sofiya and julian had met before,  in a random bar in new york,  once.   and even though the night had ended with a smile and a wave only,  they had hit it off right away.   hence,  encountering her here,  of all places …  julian was flabbergasted, to say the least.