“That kiss was fucking hot. Best guy on girl soft-core porn I’ve ever seen, but that’s not what I mean. It’s when you are just sitting next to one another or standing together. There’s this connection and awareness, soul-deep shit that I won’t even pretend to understand, but I know isn’t normal friend behavior.”

“Soul-deep shit?” I ask with a chuckle.

He lays back on the bench for his next set, and I get in position to spot him. He gets five easy and I help him push out two more.

“If I had that with someone, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it, that’s all I’m saying,” he says, still breathing hard.

“I don’t take it for granted for a second,” I tell him honestly. “She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I know it sounds cheesy as hell, but it’s true.

He nods in understanding. “You might want to examine why that is.” He holds his hands up defensively, probably at the hard look I’m giving him. “I’ve said my peace.”

“Noted.” Eager to change the subject, I ask, “You remember my friend John Datson? He came up last summer and went to The Cove with us over Memorial Day weekend. Anyway, he’s coming up tomorrow.”

“Datson! Yeah, love that guy. He’s a good time.”

I chuckle. That he is. They are a lot alike in that regard. Datson’s a good guy, and definitely always up for a good time.

“I have a few friends coming up this weekend, too. A couple of very good-looking girl friends. And by friends I mean people I don’t want to hook up with. You know, since we seem to have different definitions of the word.” He winks. “I think you’ll like Willow. Tall, blonde… that is your type, right?”

I flip him off. He’s not wrong. That’s exactly my type.

We finish up in the gym and head inside. We’re both already in our swim trunks and I’m dying to get in that pool to cool off. Jonah mixes up protein smoothies for us and I stare out the window to where Sydney’s floating on a yellow raft.

He brings me a strawberry smoothie and a water. He’s carrying his own drink and smoothie, and we take a step outside before I stop in my tracks. “I should grab Sydney something.”

Jonah chuckles. “So thoughtful. In the door of the fridge.” He continues on and I go back to get another water.