She closed her eyes. “I said that I need you.”

“Yeah? And what’s wrong with that? I’m right there with you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You do realize I was sneaking out so I didn’t have to have this conversation, right?”

“Humor me,” he said. “What’s wrong with needing someone once in a while?”

“I’ve never said it to anyone before,” she admitted. “In fact, I do everything I can to never need or depend on anyone. So if I say it, it means . . . things.”

“Like the fact that you trust me?”

She nodded miserably.

“I trust you too, Piper. Or you wouldn’t be in my bed.”

She sighed, a sound that managed to hold all the memories from their time in his bed, as well as exasperation, probably at the both of them. “I can’t do this now,” she said. “I’m too hungry. I need pancakes and I’ve got a batter mix at home. They’re not going to be homemade, but if you—”

“Yes,” he said. Then he leaned in and put his mouth to her ear. “I need pancakes too.”

With a laugh, she shoved him away.

Grinning, he followed her up the hill. He thought about pointing out that she was still wearing the life vest, but decided it was best not to.

He followed her into her kitchen, having no doubt that she expected her siblings to still be sleeping. So the surprise couldn’t have been a good one when she realized everyone was there. Gavin was at the stove making pancakes—not from a mix—and laughing with CJ. Winnie was there too, with . . . his dad? The two of them were at the table, heads together watching a YouTube video on how to fix a leaky pipe. They were both dirty, suggesting they’d actually been working.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and stared at Piper, and then at Cam.

Eventually, the shock wore off. Gavin gestured with a spatula at his older sister. “I want you to note that I’m a feminist, and also I think sex is good for the soul, so I’m not going to point out your walk of shame, even though you pointed out mine. But good God, woman, the least you could do is wipe that smile off your face so your brother doesn’t have to throw up a little in his mouth.”

“I’m not smiling!”

“Whatever, sis.” Gavin expertly flipped a very large pancake with a flick of his wrist. “Also, did you wear that life vest while getting that smile? Because that must’ve taken real dedication.”

Piper tore off the life vest and glared at Cam, like it was all his doing. It took a lot not to smile.