“Cole,” she whispers.
“Yeah?”
But I’m already leaning in.
My mouth finds hers, and she makes this small sound before kissing me back. Her hands come up to my hair, fingers tangling in the wet strands, and I deepen the kiss.
She tastes like saltwater and sunshine and that sweet honeycomb that’s just Sierra. Her body is soft and pliant beneath me, fitting against me like she was made for exactly this.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard. Her lips are swollen, her eyes dazed, and she’s looking at me like I just rearranged her entire world.
Good. Because she’s definitely rearranged mine.
“Wow,” she breathes.
“Yeah,” I agree. “Wow.”
A wave crashes over us, and we both sputter, the moment breaking into laughter again. I roll off her and we lie there in the shallow water, letting the waves wash over us, both of us grinning at the sky.
“This day,” Sierra says after a moment.
“Best beach day ever?” I suggest.
“Definitely top five.”
“Only top five?” I turn my head to look at her. “What do I have to do to make it number one?”
She turns too, and the look she gives me is soft and warm and full of promise. “You’re doing pretty well so far.”
“I’ll take it.”
We stay there for a while longer, just lying in the surf like a couple of idiots, before finally dragging ourselves up and back to the towels.
Dax takes one look at us and shakes his head. “You two are covered in sand.”
“Your observation skills are unparalleled,” I say.
“Shut up and eat a sandwich.”
Food has never tasted so good. We demolish the picnic I packed, passing around chips and fruit and sandwiches, drinking the cold sodas I stashed in the cooler. Sierra sits close, and every so often she’ll catch my eye and smile.
Like we have a secret.
Which I guess we do.
The afternoon stretches on, perfect and golden. And I don’t want it to end.
At some point, Jalen produces the speaker and puts on music. Something with a good beat that makes Sierra start dancing, moving to the rhythm like no one’s watching, even though we definitely all are.
“Come on!” she calls, beckoning to us. “Dance with me!”
“I don’t dance,” Dax says immediately.
“Everyone dances,” Sierra insists. “You just haven’t found the right song yet.”
She grabs his hands and pulls, and after a moment of resistance, Dax gives in. Lets her lead him in what can only generously be called dancing. It’s more like swaying with occasional arm movements, but Sierra’s laughing and Dax is actually smiling, so I’m calling it a win.
Malik goes next, and he’s surprisingly good. Smooth and confident, spinning Sierra out and back in with an ease that makes her giggle.
