As they slid into the water, Emma sighed in relief. It was hot, and she didn’t realize it until the cool water chilled her. She swam over to the lily pad with the girls, and the boys all hung off it with their beers and chatted.
Once she climbs onto the pad, Matt hands Emma a beer and uses it to swim towards his friends. As they talk and hang out, Matt and Emma watch each other out of the corners of their eyes.
Smiling whenever they made eye contact, neither felt like they had to be attached at the hip, and Emma enjoyed being present with everyone. Several times, Matt floated over, holding her around the waist or dragging her off to “help check the anchor line,” which was code for making out before getting more water. Before they knew it, several hours had passed.
“Matty, I am hungry
