Ordinarily, we’d never have been able to make it out on a Tuesday, but we actually got pretty lucky. I got the week off since I agreed to do a sleepaway camp from Friday through Monday, and Amy decided to close the shop for the day to do inventory. I’m not exactly eager to spend a whole weekend with a bunch of squealing monsters and the rugged outdoors, but it pays about as much as I’d make in three weeks combined, so I couldn’t say no. All in all, it ended up being the perfect chance for us to do something cool without an onslaught of people crowding the public space.

And even though Drew had promised our dates could be indoors from now on, and there was a café I really would’ve preferred to check out, I’d agreed to come because it was on the list of 10 Things Noah Has to Do Before He Leaves Colorado that Drew made me, and I really can’t ignore a gesture that cute. It just took a couple of reminders that this is all for the Diary, and I can make some sacrifices for that.

“It’s not a big deal,” I say. “I can just catch you up later. I’m out with Drew right now.”

My parents still haven’t worked out our housing situation, and at this rate, I’m not sure we’ll actually be moving to California at all, but my dad started working this week, so my mom’s doing the house hunting alone while they’re living out of a hotel.

“All right, Noah,” she says, and it’s nice how easy the name just rolls off her tongue now. “Just be careful. I know you’re into this boy, but—”

“Sorry, losing connection,” I say before quickly ending the call. A little number notification sits over my Tumblr app, and I cringe. I probably should respond to some of those.

Drew laughs. “That bad?”

He’s been lying out on a towel waiting for me to finish the call, and really, I’m not complaining. He looks hot as hell in his swim trunks. I lock my phone and set it down. I’ve already kept Drew waiting long enough.

And really, I hate swimming in public because I can’t exactly go topless, and I really don’t want to wear a bikini, but he insisted we do this date for the Diary. So I’ve got my swim trunks on and a T-shirt over them that I hope won’t fly off once I jump into the water. Of course, looking over the ledge down to the water, I’m a little hesitant about jumping at all. And, I mean, it’s not exactly warm out.

“You ready to go in?” Drew asks.

I glance at the water again and say, “Rain check?”

He rolls his eyes. “I’ll throw you in.”