Neither of us pulls back.
“I’m saying you’re a hard guy to ignore,” he tells me.
A thrill shoots through me, starting in my belly and sparking through my chest. I lean in closer, desperate for him to kiss me but unsure if I should make the move myself.
“Well, you don’t have to ignore me if you don’t want to,” I say quietly.
We’re closer, only a few inches apart, anticipation stretching out every heartbeat. I try to push myself forward a little more, but without meaning to, I kick against the pedal, which makes the boat lurch.
“Oh!” I yelp, and Chase goes to catch me. He jerks forward to grab my arm, but I fall backward instead, and the combined effect of our weight sends the boat toppling to the side as I pull him toward me.
Before I know it, I’m thrown into the lake, water rushing in my ears and filling my throat. I choke and flail, shocked by the sudden cold, then throw my head above the water again.
“Fuck!” I choke, yelling out. “Help!”
An arm grabs me around the side while I cough. “Cubby. I got you.”
I spit out water, and when I get my bearings, I see that Chase is standing with the lake only up to his chest. Hesitantly, I let my feet sink down, and I land on the lake bottom, my head comfortably above the water.
“You okay?” Chase asks.
I throw my hair back, sending water flying. “Yeah, totally fine,” I say as casually as I can, then choke again. “Never been better.”
“He’s good!” Chase calls out, raising his thumb in the air.
I turn and look at the shore, where the crowd staring at us erupts in cheers.
“Oh my God,” I mutter. “Did the entire town seriously just watch that happen?”
Chase smiles apologetically. “Come on. Let’s get you another sandwich.”
