The old wood of the dock creaked under Everly's bare feet as she stepped closer to the water's edge. The lake stretched out before her, its surface smooth and glassy, broken only by the occasional ripple of fish breaking through. This had always been her favorite place to think, to let the world feel far away.
She knelt at the edge, trailing her fingers through the cool water. It smelled like pine and sun-warmed earth—scents that wrapped around her and pulled her back to every summer she'd spent here as a kid.
A deep voice broke through her thoughts.
"Didn't think I'd find you out here."
Her shoulders stiffened before she turned to see Jake, shirtless and damp from the lake, carrying a coiled rope over one shoulder.
Of course.
Everly focused on the water, hoping he wouldn't notice the heat creeping up her neck. "You seem to be everywhere these days."
"It's called being useful," he shot back, dropping the rope onto the dock with a thud. "You should try it sometime."
Everly rolled her eyes. "I've been home for five minutes, and you're already starting."
Jake crouched beside her, the heat of his body too close for comfort. She caught the faint scent of soap and lake water, and suddenly, her heart was racing for no good reason.
"I didn't think you'd come back," he said quietly, his tone losing its teasing edge.
Her eyes flicked to his, surprised by the seriousness in his voice. "Why wouldn't I?"
He shrugged, but something unreadable flickered across his face. "You always seemed… ready to leave."
Everly swallowed hard. He wasn't wrong. She'd spent years chasing something—what, she still wasn't sure. A career? Independence? Herself?
"I needed space," she admitted, tucking her knees to her chest.
"From here?"
"From everything." She let out a slow breath, turning back to the lake. "It's easy to get stuck in the past when you're in the same place for too long."
Jake leaned back on his hands, his gaze steady. "And what about now? Are you still running?"
Everly turned to him, surprised by the intensity in his eyes. It was almost too much, and she looked away.
"I don't know."
Jake didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he reached out and flicked water at her bare legs.
"Hey!" She shot to her feet, glaring at him.
"There's the Everly I remember." He grinned, pushing himself up to stand.
She huffed and crossed her arms. "You're insufferable."
"And you're predictable."
Everly didn't realize he was stepping closer until her pulse quickened, and suddenly, she couldn't think straight.
"You're still that girl who used to follow us around," he said softly.
"I'm not sixteen anymore."
His eyes darkened, something unreadable flashing behind them. "I noticed."
The air between them thickened, but before either of them could say something else, Logan's voice cut through the trees.
"Jake! You done messing around?"
Jake stepped back, his expression unreadable again. "Be right there."
Everly exhaled as soon as he turned, her heart still hammering.
This was exactly why she'd avoided coming home. Jake Reynolds was dangerous—for her pride, her heart, and her carefully built walls.
And if this summer was going to be anything like today, she wasn't sure how she'd survive it.