Now, as she trudged toward the marina, her heart kicked up a notch. She wasn’t sure if it was because she and Cody had only practiced in the pond before this point or because she could see him up ahead, readying their boat.

This is not a date.

She could tell that to herself a million times over, but no part of her heart was buying it. Her mornings with Cody had become the thing she looked forward to most in her days. And she couldn’t say for sure, but he seemed to enjoy them too.

He spotted her and waved.

She admired him as she grabbed on to the straps of her backpack and plodded toward him. Every day she wondered if this would be the day the buzzing sensation she felt down to her toes whenever she saw him would finally go away.

Her stomach somersaulted as if in reply to that question. Today was not that day.

“You ready for this?” He stood at the center of a small sailboat.

She clung to her backpack, which was filled with unnecessary items save the water bottle she’d filled that morning in case they got stranded in the middle of open water. Never mind that their plan for the day wouldn’t take them more than a mile out, and Cody had promised to keep land in sight at all times.

She’d gotten better in the pond—but this, the ocean, was a whole different fear. Still, it struck her as she packed a raincoat, an umbrella, a tin of Altoids, and a hairbrush, that this new fear of water was beginning to define her. And she didn’t like it.

“I’m ready,” she said.

He offered his hand, and she told herself to stay cool. He’d helped her into the boat every morning that week. She’d yet to stay cool. Today would be her day.

She reached out and took a step, but she quickly lost her footing and started to fall. His other hand snapped to her waist, where he promptly steadied her and took her breath away at the same time.

So maybe tomorrow would be the day she stayed cool?

“Sorry,” she said.

“You’re clumsy.”

Only when I’m with you.

“Yeah, aren’t you glad I’m your sailing partner?”

He smirked in her general direction but didn’t reply.

Her second attempt to get in the boat proved to be successful, and she sat down. While Cody rigged the boat, he quizzed Louisa on various sailing terms, none of which she knew before this week.

He pointed. “What’s this?”

“Tiller.”

“Connected to . . . ?”

“The rudder.”

“And this?”

“Mainsail.”

“And this?” He held up a life vest.