I nod reluctantly.
“Wow, I haven’t seen him since he was, like, fourteen. He sure has grown up.” She pumps her eyebrows.
“Molly! Oh eww!” Though she’s not wrong.
“I’m just saying,” she laughs. “Are you guys together?”
“Oh, um, not really. It’s a summer fling.”
Molly clucks her tongue. “I didn’t know that summer flings”—she holds her fingers up in quotation marks as she says the phrase—“include forehead kisses. Seems a little tender for a no-strings-attached situation.”
“No,” I protest. “Forehead kisses can totally be part of a fling. The main thing is that there’s an expiration date. This thing is done when camp’s done.”
Molly’s brow furrows. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? He’s your best friend’s brother. What if you get attached?”
Little does she know I’vebeenattached, and no, I’m not sure this is a good idea. “It’ll be fine, Mol.”
“Okay. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
I appreciate Molly’s concern, and I don’t want her to worry, but I already know for certain I’m going to get hurt. I’ve accepted it. Because being with Gage now, however temporary, is well worth it.
“Hey, by the way,” she adds, “did you finish that audiobook? The one I recommended?”
She’s talking about the book I finished about the history and ecology of the Great Lakes. “Yeah, it was really good. Got any other recommendations?”
“Sure. I’ll text them to you.”
“Cool. I’ve got to listen to the one about the history of the Chicago World's Fair next before my loan is up in Libby, but I could do with some more science this summer.”
“Sounds good.” She smiles. “Thanks for providing some entertainment. I’ll let you go eat dinner now.” She winks. “And see your man.”
I shake my head. “Bye, Molly.”
We hang up, and I march into the mess hall. I walk right up to Gage, who’s sitting in our usual spot at the end of the table on the far end of the room.
“What the heck, Gage?” I hiss at him. “You outed us to my sister.”
He grimaces. “Sorry. I think the heat is getting to me.”
I relax my shoulders. “Same, honestly.” I take a seat next to him and reach for the other half of his sandwich. “It’s fine. It’s not like Molly talks to Annie.”
She’ll definitely tell Nicole, though, and they’ll both tell their husbands. I make a mental note to text Molly later to make sure she doesn’t say anything to our parents. I don’t think she would, but she’s bored, so who knows?
“What a relief,” Gage says in a sarcastic tone.
I ignore his jab and change the subject. “Is it supposed to cool off anytime soon?”
“Maybe next week.” He shrugs. “But I’m not holding my breath.”
“Ugh, this is crazy!” I whine, fanning myself with my hand even though the mess hall is air conditioned. “It’s only June. It’s not supposed to be this hot, yet.”
“That’s a Texas summer for ya.”
I’m feeling unreasonably cranky all of a sudden. I know Gage is counting on spending time together tonight, but I’m hot and tired. “Hey, I’m going to take a cool shower and go to bed early tonight. Is that okay?”
“You’re bailing on me?” he teases, then runs a hand through his hair. “It’s probably for the best. The heat is making me kind of grumpy, and I don’t want to take it out on you. We’re still hanging out tomorrow, though, right?”
“Yes. Inside preferably.” I fan myself with my hand again.
