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I shake my head, hiding my smirk. “No.”

“No?” she teases.

“No.” I laugh.

“Alright, well I’m going to go find Cooper while you deal with all of that.” She waves her finger in Cami’s direction, smiling big.

I walk over to Cami’s chair and kneel in front of her. God, she's even more beautiful up close.

“Cami.” I gently nudge her shoulder. She doesn't budge. “Cami.” I try again, whispering.

She suddenly jumps awake, her eyes wide and unfocused.

“Hey, hey, it's okay,” I whisper quietly.

“I’m sorry.” She says, looking around and noticing we are the only ones left.

“For what? I chuckle.

“For falling asleep.”

“That’s not a crime,” I say, smiling at her. A blush blooms across her cheeks.

“My book got boring.” She admits playfully.

“You also drool in your sleep.” I tease, giving her a little wink.

She swats my arm, “I do not.”

We both start laughing as she stands up, but she moves too quickly. Dizzy from sleep, she loses her balance and begins to fall forward. I react on instinct, reaching out to catch her before she can hit the sand. We both freeze. My hands are wrapped firmly but gently around her waist. Her sweatshirt rides up slightly, leaving my palms resting directly against her bare skin. A tingling erupts within me at the contact. Cami looks down at my hands, her lips parting slightly as her breath catches in her throat.

“I’m sorry.” I breathe. I can feel goosebumps rising beneath my palms as I gently glide my fingertips over her bare stomach.

“It’s okay.” She whispers, her gaze slowly moving upward before landing on my lips. “Thank you.”

I look down into her eyes. This time, she doesn’t look away like she usually does. She watches me, holding my stare as my eyes drift down to her mouth. An overwhelming urge hits me, and I wet my lips. Her breath hitches at the movement, her chest rising and falling in the quiet space between us.

“You guys ready? Cooper shouts from behind us. Cami jumps, taking us out of our moment. She turns around without a word, hurrying away toward the parking lot.

I take a deep breath. What just happened? I put out the smoldering fire and fold up the last lawn chair with shaky hands.

On the drive home, Cooper and Ivy’s voices fade into the background as they giggle and talk. Ivy is thanking him for bringing her out to meet everyone. I can’t focus on a single word they say. My mind is entirely focused on what just happened down on the beach. Replaying the exact way Cami’s warm, soft skin felt beneath my fingers—the feeling of her goosebumps beneath my touch. A cold chill runs down my spine. I glance up at the rearview mirror, finding Cami in the back seat, already looking at me. I offer her a small, knowing smile. For a second, neither of us looks away, then she smiles back. Not the shy, awkward smile she usually gives me. This smile is something entirely different, something new. Our friendship is evolving into something I can’t quite explain.

That's when the terrifying realization finally hits me–I am in serious, serious trouble with this girl.

CHAPTER 11

Camille

DAY 4: BOAT & BACH

My eyes sting as I try to force them open, the bright morning sunlight blinding me through my closed eyelids. A dull thumping ache pulses at my temples, and the memories from last night slam into my chest. It was exactly what it looked like. My vision comes into focus when I slip my glasses on, and I take in my surroundings, noticing that I’m alone in the room. Drew must have snuck out earlier, giving me the privacy to wake up on my own terms. Just as I let out a breath, the rich, comforting smell of coffee takes over my senses. I look over to my nightstand and find a steaming mug waiting for me. He must have just dropped it off, minutes before I woke up. Feeling a deep wave of gratitude, I reach out and take a small, satisfying sip. A warmth washes through my body the second the caffeine hits my system. As I set the mug back down, a folded-up piece of notebook paper catches my eye. I pick it up, recognizing his handwriting immediately.

Good Morning, Cami,

Hope you slept okay. Enjoy the room to yourself to get ready for the day. I’ll see you on the boat.

Drew