The laughter and splashing slowly settled into something warmer, more intimate, as the cool evening air mixed with the heat of exertion and adrenaline. Rae, Del, and Remi paddled through the gentle current, water dripping from their hair, catching their breath between splashes.
Trey swam closer to Rae, water slicking her hair against her face. “You’ve officially exhausted me,” he said with a grin, brushing a stray lock from her eyes.
“Good,” Rae shot back playfully, “you were getting too cocky.”
Before either of them could protest further, Trey pulled her close, arms sliding around her waist, water splashing over them. Rae froze for a heartbeat—then laughed softly, letting herself lean in as he pressed his lips to hers. The river rippled gently around them, warm and chaotic all at once.
