“I want to be offended by that, but I’m going to let it go because I’m happy for you.” Tanner lifts his glass. “Cheers, buddy.”

The mood is light, and the drinks seem to be drained faster the later it gets. Richard and one of his bandmates join us. Jonah may have been too shy to approach the handsome guy he’s had his eye on, but he’s found his confidence now as he rests an arm around his chair and chats him up.

“They’re cute,” I tell Tanner. Everyone around us is in conversation making it loud so we have to lean in close. He reaches over and pulls my chair next to his and then rests his hand on my thigh.

“What’s that? Did you say I’m cute?”

“I said they’re cute.” I glance to Jonah and Richard. “Way to make it about you.”

“Last summer he was dating someone, so I’ve never seen his game or lack thereof before.” His long fingers are still on my leg radiating heat through my skin to my core.

“What about you?” I ask, trying to ignore the way my body feels at his touch. “Do you hook up at the lake?”

His face tells me the answer even before he does. “Sometimes. It’s hard to take anything too seriously knowing I’m going back to Valley in a few weeks. It’s like a really long spring break. Nobody is looking for a relationship at the lake.”

I snort. “More lake rules by Tanner?”

“Something like that.” His gaze falls to his hand on my leg as if he’s suddenly realized he’s touching me, and he removes it to grab his beer on the table. “Don’t act like you haven’t had your summer flings. What about that guy you met in Japan?”

“It was Italy, and his name was Sebastian.”

He shrugs as if the place as well as the guy is inconsequential. He’s mostly right. Although I had hoped things with the cute volleyball player I met in Italy last summer while playing in the world championship volleyball tournament would go beyond the month we were in the same country, but it was just too hard with the distance.

“You ready? If we don’t get an Uber soon, then we’ll be sitting outside after closing.”

I nod my agreement and we say bye to everyone and get in our ride back to his place. He sits in the middle of the back seat so we’re side by side.

I’m staring at the lake at night and the dot of lights as we pass by when Tanner nudges me with his elbow. “You’re staring out that window awfully hard. What are you thinking about?”