Your Endless Love (The Bennett Family 9)

“Do you want to drive? It’s really easy, and you’ll feel in control.”

She shakes her head. “You drive. I trust you.”

I propel myself out of the water and slide in front of her. She immediately wraps her arms around me, holding me so tightly I barely breathe.

“Feel me up all you want, sweetness. I’m here for you to take advantage of.”

She chuckles but doesn’t loosen her grip. I lurch forward.

Several of the older kids are lined up the shore as we approach. Aren’t they supposed to be in their Spanish class? Maybe it’s already time for their first break.

“Summer, what happened?” one of the girls asks as the two of us come out of the water.

Another is bouncing up and down the balls of her feet. “Are you okay?”

We were close enough to shore that Summer’s wild arm flailing didn’t go unnoticed. She’s still shaking.

But she straightens up, gazes at the bunch of scared kids, and smiles. “Just being silly. Fell off the Jet Ski, but nothing happened. I’m okay.” Her voice is remarkably steady given that she’s still shaking. “I just need a hot shower, and I’ll be as good as new.”

Several kids seem unconvinced. Summer smiles at them. “I’m okay. Don’t think you can use me as an excuse to weasel out of the class. When’s your break over?”

“Five minutes ago,” one admits.

“What? Off you go! Come on.”

They leave, walking slowly and glancing over their shoulders. Summer keeps smiling until they’re out of sight. Then she seems to fold into herself.

Wordlessly she walks past the sunbed where we sat before the ride and picks up her beach bag, then starts in the general direction of her bungalow. I walk right beside her, and since she doesn’t say anything, I gather that she needs me by her side as much as I need to make sure she’s all right.

A few guests look at us on the way, and the thought any of them might snap a picture crosses my mind. But what if they did? There’s nothing to see. Just two friends walking together.

When we reach her bungalow, I take the card out of her shaky hands and unlock the front door.

“Thank you, Alex.”

Her voice falters on my name. As much as I admired that she pulled on every ounce of her self-control to reassure the kids, I like that she doesn’t feel the need to play brave for me.

“I’ll wait for you to shower, okay?”

“I promise I won’t have a panic attack in the tub. I was so silly.” She shrugs, smiling in a self-deprecating way as we go inside. I’m not having any of it.

“You were scared, Summer. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone has irrational fears.”

“What are yours?”

“Tiny elevators and finding worms in fruit.”

She gives me a small laugh.

“Hey, these aren’t even my worst ones. Go ahead and shower, I’ll wait here.”

Later, when she comes out, hair dry, a towel wrapped around her, covering her from her chest down to her knees, she walks straight into my open arms. I hold her tightly, inhaling the smell of her shampoo.

“Alex?” she whispers.

“Hmm?”

“Can you stay with me? Just for a little while?”