“We love seeing you like this,” Lily says, bringing Valeria back to the moment. “So if you want to give it a shot, you know we’ll always be here. Don’t talk yourself out of getting to know someone because you think you haven’t suffered enough after a breakup that was a long time coming. Even ifyoudidn’t see it coming, your heart clearly did, and it prepared itself.”
Valeria nods, drawing her knees closer, letting her shoulder brush Alejandra’s. “We’ll see,” she murmurs, voice soft as the water laps at the shore. “I don’t know if I’m brave enough to try.”
Camila steps out of her tent then, rubbing her eyes. The second she spots Valeria, a radiant smile takes over her lips, and Valeria feels that smile warm her entirely, igniting a tiny flutter in her stomach. The one that comesto life any time Camila’s smile is aimed at her. Somehow, she feels a lot braver than she did a few seconds ago. She’d do anything for that smile, a thought that terrifies her.
“Come have breakfast,” Clara calls to them, waving them over.
“Thanks for this,” Valeria says, turning to face Alejandra and Lily.
Lily reaches for her hand. “Literally anytime.”
Valeria gives them both a quick hug before they all walk back toward where the rest of their group is.
Valeria walks right up to Camila, standing so close that she can smell the slight peppermint scent of her toothpaste.
“Good morning.” Valeria smiles, thankful when Camila doesn’t step back.
“Good morning. How’d you sleep?” she asks, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Terrible, everything woke me up. You?” Valeria asks, though she knows Camila slept like the dead.
“Honestly, I slept great. I don’t think I woke up once.”
“Lucky,” Valeria says dryly.
“Maybe next time we go camping, I’ll bring you a sound machine so you can’t focus on the noise outside.”
Valeria nods, a spark lighting her face as she pops up on her toes with a little bounce, excitement creeping in as she thinks about doing this again with her.
Everyone moves to grab a plate and help themselves to breakfast, which consists of pre-cut fruit, oatmeal packets, and coffee.
They eat in quiet, no one caffeinated enough to bother starting a conversation. When Valeria drains her first cup, she finally breaks the silence.
“What are we doing today?”
“We were thinking we could go paddleboarding in a bit and then, I don’t know, play some games?” Clara replies.
“I knew I was forgetting something.” Camila rubs her temple.
Valeria’s heart does a quick, happy little spiral. “We can use mine, I think we’d both fit,” Valeria offers quickly.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying back. I brought my e-reader and a couple of books. I can catch up on some reading.”
“No, come with us; it’ll be fun. I have a waterproof backpack so we can throw one of your books in there and you can read on the water.” She pauses, then lets out a softer, quieter laugh. “Man, now I wish I’d brought a book.” The image alone seems so relaxing.
“You can borrow one of mine. I brought more than I could finish in three days.”
Valeria nods, biting her lip in approval. “Perfect.”
Thirty minutes later, they all retire to their tents to change. As Valeria exits hers, Camila steps out of her tent in board shorts and a loose T-shirt, hair still a little messy, tattoos fully on display.
Valeria had seen them peek from under Camila’s long sleeves in her house, and she’d obsessed over wanting to know what they were. Yesterday, when she finally got a glimpse, Camila covered them by throwing on a button-up, but now, she can see them all, and she forgets all about subtlety. She just ...stares. Tracing the line of ink, the way the tattoos move when Camila stretches. The sleeve is a patchwork of American traditional work, bold lines, and slightly muted colors. There’s a big piece on her shoulder of a cowgirl with clown makeup, a sad expression on her face. Followed by a bunch of other small ones in the same style: a dagger, a snail, a skull. Her arm is completely covered in allsorts of flowers, animals, and women. Valeria wishes she could sit her down and ask her about every one, memorizing the order, starting with the one on her fingers.
Alejandra clears her throat. “You are staring.”
Valeria shakes her head and shifts her weight, forcing herself to look away. It only lasts for half a second, though, then she immediately looks back. Unable to keep herself in check. It’s unfair, honestly. Rude of the universe to make Camila so attractive.
Camila walks up to her. “Ready?”
