"I would never do such a thing."
I do, however, sprint down the stairs and out to the pool, all the while she bounces behind me screaming and laughing.
Our bodies plummet straight into the water. Our familiar rafts are still floating in the deep end, and I push the donut toward Amelia as I flop onto the watermelon.
Her head is poking out and she rests her arms over the sides while I lie on my stomach, our faces a foot apart.
I remember how it feels like a lifetime ago when we were preparing her for her interview, in similar positions now but still feeling worlds apart.
"You're in a good mood," I tell her.
"Am I?"
"You sure seem like it."
"Maybe the rush of last night is still coursing through me."
"Are we talking about the event or me fucking you in my car?"
"Both."
"You're so cute when you're uncomfortable."
"Stop saying things like that," she laughs.
"Why?"
"Because"
"Because?" I look at her to see if I can guess which words will leave her mouth next. "Because?"
"Because… I'm… dammit." She drops below the water and reappears like she had to cleanse herself before her confession. "Because I like you, too."
"Is that so?" I could stay afloat with the air trapped inside my lungs. I'm terrified to breathe out because I might lose my mind with this revelation. And before we can discuss it further, the sliding glass door opens and my mom peeks her head out.
"We're back. Didn't take us long."
Now it's my turn to drown myself. Goddamn it, my mom has to ruin everything.
"Mind if I join you?" she asks.
Fuck.
"Yeah, sure, Mom."
Mollyjoininguswasa blessing in disguise. I wasn't completely ready to explain to Theo what my feelings encompassed. Because I don't even know. I enjoy being around him, I have fun with him, and Lord knows we have all the sexual chemistry we need, but that doesn't change our situation.
Is this purely a distraction from my breakup? In normal conditions, I would never feel ready to commit myself to another man so soon after, let alone risk my heart with someone as hot-and-cold as my stepbrother.
So while Molly sunbathes on a lounge chair, Theo and I float on our respective rafts and try not to flirt too much.
And typical me, when I feel as though we need to talk about this, I disappear.
I'm Julia Roberts inRunaway Bride, abandoning all responsibilities because I'm terrified of continuing the conversation.
"That's enough sun for me today," I tell them. "I'm going upstairs to take a nap."
"Enjoy it, hun." Molly waves goodbye, and I towel dry under Theo's gaze.
