Morning sunlight filtered through Everly's curtains, pulling her from restless sleep. She groaned, burying her face in the pillow, but the sound of footsteps outside reminded her there was no avoiding today's boat trip.
After yesterday's run-ins with Jake, she wasn't sure how she'd survive an entire day stuck with him—and Logan—on the lake.
By the time she made it outside, Logan was already loading the cooler onto the boat. Jake stood nearby, wearing sunglasses and a fitted T-shirt that left little to the imagination. She hated how easily her eyes drifted to the way it stretched across his shoulders.
Focus, Everly.
"There you are," Logan said, tossing her a life jacket. "I was starting to think you'd bail."
"Not a chance." She strapped on the jacket, ignoring Jake's smirk.
"You ever learn how to drive this thing?" Jake asked, nodding to the boat.
Everly raised an eyebrow. "Nope. Never had the patience for it."
Jake's grin widened. "Figures."
Logan climbed into the boat and started the engine, leaving Everly alone with Jake as they unhooked the ropes.
"You ready?" Jake asked, voice quieter now that Logan was out of earshot.
Everly looked at him, her stomach flipping in that annoying way it always did around him. "For what?"
He leaned in slightly. "To stop pretending this isn't a thing."
Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to scoff. "You really think this is funny, don't you?"
Jake's expression softened. "Not funny. Just inevitable."
Before she could respond, Logan shouted for them to hurry up.
Everly climbed into the boat and sank onto one of the seats, keeping as much space between her and Jake as possible. But the way his arm brushed hers when he sat down made it impossible to ignore the tension simmering beneath the surface.
---
The lake was busier than she expected, dotted with other boats and kayakers enjoying the clear summer day. Logan steered toward a quieter cove, cutting the engine and tossing an anchor into the water.
"Alright, let's swim," Logan announced, already peeling off his shirt.
Jake followed suit, and Everly immediately looked away, pretending to fuss with the sunscreen in her bag.
"You coming in?" Jake asked, standing at the edge of the boat.
"I'll pass."
He smirked. "Scared?"
"Of what?"
"Letting loose for once."
Everly narrowed her eyes, but before she could argue, Logan cannonballed into the water, splashing them both.
Jake laughed and jumped in after him, leaving Everly alone to catch her breath. She hated how effortlessly he fit into her life—like he belonged there, always had.
When Jake resurfaced, he grinned up at her. "Come on, Everly. Don't make me drag you in."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
Logan swam closer. "You better just get in, Ev. He's serious."
Everly groaned, slipping off her cover-up and climbing to the edge. Jake's eyes flickered over her for the briefest moment before he turned away, but it was enough to send heat crawling up her neck.
Without giving herself time to overthink, she jumped in.
The water was colder than she expected, stealing her breath as she surfaced. She wiped her hair from her face, glaring at Jake, who looked far too pleased with himself.
"Happy now?"
"Very."
Logan swam off toward the shoreline, giving them a brief moment alone.
"You're impossible," she muttered, floating closer to the boat.
Jake followed, his voice low. "And you're stubborn."
"Someone has to keep you in line."
His eyes locked on hers, and for a second, the teasing faded. "I like it."
Everly's breath caught. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but Logan's shout broke the spell.
"Race you to the dock!"
Jake shot her a grin. "Later, Ev."
And just like that, he was gone, leaving her treading water and wondering if she'd survive the rest of the summer without losing her mind—or her heart.