We’re only a year apart, yet it seems like decades with everything he’s experienced, and I don’t want to embarrass myself.
I’ve always known my life in Georgia was sheltered, but hearing him talk about living in the big city has given the word “sheltered” a whole new meaning.
“Yeah.” He turns his head toward the lake and smiles at the boats. “I love sailing. It’s the perfect escape.”
I frown, picking up on the weight of his words. “What do you mean?”
He hesitates and then shakes it off. “It’s nothing.” He squeezes my hand, forcing a smile on his face. “Only that it’s nice to be out on the water. It’s calming.”
I don’t know Nate well, but I know he’s lying or giving me a half-truth. I’ve spent the last hour studying every inch of him, and something shifted when I asked that question.
It was a slight flicker of darkness, but it was easy to spot when you’re paying attention.
“I’ve never been on a boat,” I say, hoping to lighten the mood.
When his eyes double in size, I admit I can’t swim either.
He stops dead in his tracks and turns us face to face. “Tell me you’re joking?”
I giggle at how seriously he’s taking this. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“Mads, we are changing that this summer. How will I bring you sailing if you can’t swim? I will worry the whole time.” I freeze at the nickname, and he doesn’t miss it. “I’m sorry. I know you said to call you Maddie. I don’t know why I said that.”
“No. No. It’s okay.” I shrug, playing it cool, but I’m grinning like a kid in a candy shop on the inside. “I liked it. No one’s ever given me a nickname.”
His beautiful smile stretches the width of his face, and he gives me a little nod.
Thankfully, he doesn’t make it a big deal.
When stunning Lake Horizon comes into view, he points to two chairs on the dock and asks, “Are you okay with sitting down there? Sunset is soon, and we won’t want to miss it.”
“Sure. Hopefully, I don’t fall off the dock,” I joke.
Nate’s face fills with horror. “Forget it. We’ll sit on the sand far away from the water.”
“Oh my goodness! I was kidding.” He ignores me as he pulls me down to the sand. “Nate.” I laugh. “Really, it’s fine.”
“One sway of the dock, and I’d lose my mind. There’s no bad view here. This is fine.” He adjusts himself close enough to me that I can feel him, though not one inch of our bodies is touching. His presence is so formidable that I can feel him all around me.
“You’re very bossy,” I tease.
He raises a suggestive brow, causing me to blush and shyly turn away. Focusing on the view is the only way to ignore my racing heart.
It really is gorgeous here.
“Do you like camp?” I ask to change the subject.
“For the most part. Our older brothers and sister came here too, so Leo and I didn’t think twice, but sometimes I miss summers in the Hamptons. Luckily, I’ll spend part of August there.”
“The Hamptons?” Not sure what he means.
“Yeah. That’s where my boat is.”
“Oh. But where are the Hamptons?”
He turns his head perfectly angled so I see more of his face. His eyes, the color of the summer sky, sparkle as he gets a good look at me.
“I forgot you’re a country girl.” He winks and turns his attention back toward the lake. “The Hamptons are where most of Manhattan goes during the summer months. It’s on the eastern tip of Long Island, and I love it there. It’s a place that has it all.”
