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Marlowe slipped on a pair of water shoes, and the two headed to a waiting kayak. They got in and pushed off into the river. The water lapped against the hull, and sunlight winked across the surface, making everything look beautiful and lazy. As they skimmed over the water, he once again thought about how easy it was to talk to Marlowe. He’d never thought of Jennifer as being particularly high-strung, but in comparison to Marlowe, yeah, she sort of was.

But then, that was just part of Jennifer’s natural drive, the same drive that was pushing her through med school. Funny, while he was staring at Marlowe’s smooth back and watching her arms work the paddles, it was hard to picture Jennifer at all. He tried to conjure up her sleek brown hair but could only see Marlowe’s blonde ponytail bobbing in front of him.

Jennifer had her good qualities too, he reminded himself. She’d gone into medicine for the same reason he had. To help people.

But now it was so very hard to even remember her.

And why was he bothering? She broke up with him, and somehow that had stopped stinging. Maybe it was for the best that things had ended that way. He found himself soaking up Marlowe’s every movement and enjoying being with her.

An hour later, they went back to the shore for lunch. His father had grilled hamburgers, and his mother had laid out a spread large enough to feed an army. Marlowe’s bread and jam did not disappoint, and both disappeared quickly.

She’d put on a cover-up from her bag, but somehow, he found her just as distracting. Her smile was light and welcoming. Her green eyes seemed to glow. She moved with effortless confidence and warmth, weaving herself into the rhythm of his family as though she belonged. It was a stark contrast from the time he’d brought Jennifer home.

After lunch, the men got into a discussion about next year’s football teams, specifically the Broncos’ chances, and Olivia, Riley, and Marlowe drifted off in a group chatting together.

His father and mother had been too busy making food before lunch to take a turn with the kayaks, so they went out while everyone else cleaned up.

After things were put away, his brothers continued the football analysis. Olivia, Riley and Marlowe took their conversation down to the shoreline and sat on the bank with their feet dangling in the water.

Jace’s gaze went to Marlowe again and again. Sometimes she was talking, hands gesturing in the air to emphasize a point, while Riley and Olivia watched her in rapt attention. Other times, one of the other women spoke and Marlowe smiled and nodded in agreement. Once when Riley was saying something, Marlowe tossed her head back in laughter. She looked beautiful that way, happy and face lifted to the sky.

“Earth to Jace,” Carson said. “Were you listening to anything I just said?”

Jace didn’t take his eyes off Marlowe. “The season will be close. Football is great. Long live the Broncos. Did I miss something?”

“Yeah,” Lucas said, “everything about Carson’s protein-filled diet of organ meats and algae. His training regimen should be an episode of Fear Factor.”

Marlowe said something that made Riley and Olivia burst into laughter. They both leaned nearer to her.

“What do you think they’re talking about?” Jace asked.

Carson noticed them for the first time and shrugged. “Could be anything.”

“They keep laughing,” Jace said.

“Oh, in that case,” Lucas said, “they’re talking about us.”

Was he right? “Nah,” Jace decided. “We’re not that entertaining.”

“Liver tastes like old tin cans,” Lucas said. “And Carson willingly eats the stuff. I’d laugh about it myself if he wasn’t right here.”

“Hey,” Carson said, bristling, “liver is high in protein and iron.”

“Yeah,” Lucas said, “but it’s also high in liver. Which is why normal people don’t eat it.”

Riley said something that made Marlowe’s jaw go slack and her eyes widen. Her mouth formed an “Oh” of astonishment.

Were Olivia and Riley filling Marlowe in about Jace’s quirks and habits? “You don’t think they’re really talking about us, do you?” he asked.

Carson patted Jace on the shoulder. “It’s cute how obsessed you are with Marlowe. I like her.”

Jace turned to see if he was serious. “You do?”

“Yeah,” Carson said. “She’s a lot different than what I thought she’d be. She’s so cheerful and nice. And at lunch, she told Olivia that she likes thrifting.”

“What’s thrifting?” Jace asked.

“Thrifting,” Carson said, “is a fancy way of saying you shop at Goodwill and garage sales. Reuse and recycle. Better for the planet. Also, people who like thrifting are less likely to spend stupid amounts of money on designer label clothes or purses that cost more than a European vacation. I think she’ll be good for you.”