“Jump in? Are you insane!? It’s freezing!”
“Pfft. If it were freezing, it’d be ice. This is invigorating. Excellent for circulation. Clinically proven to increase mental clarity. Plus, it’s early September, the water still has a little summer heat to it.”
“Uh-huh, you’re rebranding again. I told you, that won’t work on me.”
“Come on, Ollie. Live a little. You can’t just look at the waterfall. You’ve gotta experience it.”
“Right. Because nothing says physical vitality and mental renewal like voluntarily shocking my organs into hibernation.”
“Cold plunges are all the rage. I’m giving you the deluxe edition. Completely free, all-natural setting, and one-of-a kind views.”
“Everything about this screams ‘terrible idea I’m somehow agreeing to.’”
“You’re agreeing?”
“Well, apparently I have to prove that I’m a good stand-in for Ezra, so yeah, I’m doing this. Against my better judgment,” he muttered, unzipping his jacket and tugging his shirt over his head.
“Heck yeah!”
Once we’d placed our gear away from the splash zone, we stood at the edge of the pool.
“On three,” I said, taking a step closer. “One—”
Before I got to two, Oliver’s fingers slid into mine. “Don’t you dare let go.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, tightening my grip on his hand.
“Two,” he said, continuing the count.
“Three,” we said in unison and then leapt.
Before plunging into the frigid water, Oliver’s shriek echoed off the rocks.
“That’s the stuff,” I said when I shot back up.
“Holy fucking shit! That’s cold!” Oliver said as he surfaced. “So cold! I can’t believe I let you talk me into this!”
“Swim around. It helps,” I said with a deep inhale before I ducked beneath the surface again, swimming under the water, letting the icy rush tear through me before coming up with awhoop.
“You really are insane. Like clinically.”
“I’m telling you, you’ve gotta move or the cold will settle into your bones.”
“I think it’s already in my bones,” he said, teeth clacking.
“Then get over here,” I said, paddling toward him. “We’ll get some friction going to warm you up.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible. I’ve made peace with my fate. Bury me under pine needles and tell people I died beautifully.”
Reaching him with two final strokes, I began rubbing my hands up and down his arms. “Nope, no way. I won’t let you haunt me that easily.”
He let out a stuttering breath, eyes fluttering closed. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this cold in my life. It’s like my blood is turning to slush.”
“Slushy blood, huh? Alright, drastic measures it is. Emergency heat-transfer protocol,” I said, wrapping both arms around him and pulling him into my chest, his head resting at the base of my neck.
“Mm, you’re warm,” he said.
“Only by comparison. It really does help if you swim around.”
