Moonlight glimmered off the gentle waves lapping at the shore of Crystal Cove. A bonfire crackled, sending embers dancing into the night sky. Gathered around the fire, a group of friends laughed and reminisced about their college days.

Among them sat Liam and Sophie, stealing glances at each other when they thought no one was looking. They had been best friends all through school, but neither had ever confessed their true feelings, each secretly pining for the other.

As the night wore on, the friends began to drift away until only Liam and Sophie remained. An easy silence fell between them as they stared into the flickering flames.

"Do you remember," Sophie began hesitantly, "that time freshman year when we stayed up all night studying for finals and watched the sunrise together?"

Liam smiled at the memory. "How could I forget? That's when I first realized..." He paused, gathering his courage. "That's when I first realized I was falling in love with you."

Sophie's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with deep affection. "Oh Liam... I've loved you for so long. I never dreamed you might feel the same."

Tenderly, Liam reached out and caressed her cheek. Sophie leaned into his touch, sparks igniting between them. Unable to resist any longer, Liam drew her into a passionate kiss, the roar of the ocean and the crackling fire fading away until there was only the two of them, lost in their own world.

As they separated, breathless and glowing, Liam gazed into Sophie's shining eyes. "Let's not waste any more time," he murmured. "I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."

"I thought you'd never ask," Sophie whispered back joyfully. Entwined in each other's arms, warmed by the fire and their love, Liam and Sophie looked out over the moonlit cove, excited to begin their happily ever after, together at last.