"Very stylish," Ellie confirmed, pushing the brim down on his forehead. Her red mouth twisted into a smirk to match his -- though softer, somewhat shy. "Dog agrees."
For a moment she watched him, finding a strange nostalgia in the way his fingers rolled the paper. He'd asked another question, but it was difficult to think how to answer. In all honesty, it was rare for Eloise to be truly glad about anything. Not lately. Not for months. She liked the beach, though. And she liked David, too -- enough to sit down in the sand and rest her back against his shins.
"I like it here," she told him at last. The breeze stole the words from her lips; before speaking again she let her head loll backward, eyes meeting his in an upside-down glance. "It's nice. Are you glad?"
She paused, patting Dog's head when it forced itself into her lap. "If you aren't, I suppose you will be soon."