“Hi!” I say, lifting my legs to rotate and stand. I look down at my swimsuit, wondering if he’ll be able to notice my little baby bump. It’s a toss-up, considering how tight the one-piece suit is, but even if he suspects, I doubt he’ll ask. “How’ve you been?” I ask.
“Good, good, keeping busy. Lifeguarding here and teaching private swim. How about you?”
“Pretty good,” I answer as he starts to descend the ladder. “At the café.Still.”
Cam stops a few feet shy of me, tugging on the lanyard around his neck. “It’s so funny I bumped into you… I was just thinking about you the other day.”
Okay… maybe Ishouldtell him I’m knocked up.
“I just started teaching this kid, Henry. He has a hand just like yours. I was telling him all about my friend who’s the best swimmer I know, and he nearly lost his mind with excitement.”
I pout, and an adoring whine escapes from my chest. “Really?” I ask, elongating the word.
“Yeah. He’s so sweet. A really fun kid to teach. I was chatting with his parents after his first lesson, and they mentioned they’re trying to find a summer camp for him. I immediately thought of you and that idea you told Casey and me about at last year’s bonfire. Your camp?” He brushes his hair away from his face again and adjusts the whistle on his neck as his eyes glaze over in thought. “What did you call it? Camp…”
Camp Cando. A bit on the nose,sure, but itisfor kids. “It was just an idea…” I shrug one shoulder while simultaneously wrapping my arm across my stomach, holding on to my elbow. “I don’t even remember. I think I’d just drunk too much.” Six beers. But Idoremember. It felt incredible to talk about it again. That was the only time I’ve talked about my camp in the past few years, other than when I told Bo.
“That’s a shame. These parents would love something like that.”
I smile despite the ache in my chest nagging to be heard. “How’s he doing? With the swimming?”
“Fine. But, actually, while I have you here, can I pick your brain?”
I nod eagerly.
“He’s got most of the technique down, but he really overcompensates with his right hand—the bigger one—and it steers him a little off course. I’ve tried the usual stuff, but he seems to still get off balance. What would you suggest?”
“What position?”
“Nearly all of them, but it’s worse with breaststroke.”
“It’s hard to say without seeing him swim. When’s he here?”
“Tuesday evenings.”
“I’m off on Tuesday next week. I could come by if you’d like.”
“Seriously?” Cam asks, bending his knees, crouching down so our faces line up—his totally bursting with joy. I nod, caught off guard, as he picks me up and spins me around in the air. “That’d be amazing.” He drops me, one hand stuck on my shoulder, and steadies me as I regain my balance.
“Any time?” I laugh out.
“Can I text you the details? I don’t think I have your phone number.”
“Oh, sure.” I wait as he pulls out his phone, then I put my number into it. Saving myself asWinnie the One-Handed Wonder—because it just felt right.
And suddenly, I’m not in such a bad mood.
“He’s going to be so excited to meet you. And,” he smiles down at my contact information on his phone, tapping the screen, “the name suits you. Ididtalk about you as if you were a superhero.”
“Well, let’s hope Henry isn’t disappointed.”
“Aw, well, who could be?” He winks before glancing around the pool. “Shit, I amverylucky no one decided to drown just now. I, uh, should probably get back up there.” He points a thumb over his shoulder.
“Right, yeah, I’m going to try a few more laps. Clear my head.”
“You should really think about that camp, Win.” Cam says, sauntering backward slowly. “I think it could be a very cool thing!”
And Idothink about it.
