“I never really asked, but is it cool that I’m here crashing your summer plans?”

“I invited you, remember?” One brow quirks up.

“I know, but doesn’t your family take issue with some freeloader they’ve never met staying at their fabulous lake house all summer?”

“No.” He steps forward as the line moves. “Tara never comes without Corinne or one of her other friends. The lake is much more fun when you can enjoy it with other people.”

“I’m nervous about meeting her,” I admit.

“Don’t be. Aside from being a giant pain in my ass, she’s cool. You two will get along.”

He’s right. I don’t know why I’m letting one weird phone call freak me out. I’m excited to finally meet his sister, and if she’s even half as amazing as Tanner, I know I’ll like her just fine.

18

TANNER

“Got you two a present.” Jonah tosses a heart-shaped raft into the pool. It has two hearts and they’re connected in the middle. He’s got a smug look on his face and his eyes crinkle up at the corners with humor.

“Jokes on you. This thing is baller,” I say as I heft myself up onto the bigger heart.

Sydney looks reluctant but with a shake of her head, she gets on the other side.

It took all of five seconds for Jonah to figure out things had changed between us. I’m actually surprised he didn’t notice the other night at his party, but I guess that’s because he was focused on Richard.

“That’s fucking precious.” Jonah stands on the side of the pool and holds up his phone like he’s going to take a picture.

I lean over and take Sydney by surprise when I press my mouth to hers. We spent all morning lying in bed kissing. My lips are chapped and I’m more frustrated than I’ve been in my entire life, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

“So,” Ollie says as he swims over to us with a giant, mocking smile. “What’s date number three?”

I look from him to Jonah to Sydney. “What? How? You told them?”

She shrugs and tries to look sweet and innocent.

“Don’t hold out on us,” Ollie begs.

“Holding out is sort of your new thing, huh?” Jonah jumps in. He runs a hand through his wet hair, slicking back the dark red strands.

“You told them that?!”

Sydney grimaces and looks over at me with apologetic brown eyes. “I thought you’d already told them.”

Playing both sides to get more information. I should have known. Classic Jonah.

“Tell us! What’s date number three? I’ve got my money on karaoke.” Ollie looks so certain and I have no clue where he’d get such an idea.