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I narrow my eyes. “Don't look so pleased with yourself.”

“Wouldn't dream of it.”

I push again.

Nothing.

His shoulders shift beneath my palms as he chuckles, and I suddenly become aware of how much bare skin I'm touching.

How broad he is.

How easily he could pull me against him if he wanted to.

I lift my eyes.

He's watching me.

And for one ridiculous second, I forget I'm supposed to be trying to drown him.

A wave breaks against us, and I stumble closer.

His hands come up instinctively, catching my elbows.

There it is again.

That strange, breathless feeling.

I step away before I can think too much about it.

“Fine. You win.”

“Didn't know we were competing.”

I splash him again.

His laugh follows me as I retreat towards Lexy, and I tell myself the warmth spreading through my chest has absolutely nothing to do with it.

The next half-hour passes in a blur of salt water, laughter and Dex making a complete fool of himself.

At some point, Chiara and Matteo disappear towards the beach, still arguing about who started their water fight.

I suspect neither of them is particularly interested in winning that argument.

Lexy swims towards me a little later, wrapping her arms around my shoulders in a wet, giggling hug.

“We're heading up,” she whispers conspiratorially against my ear. “We're getting cold.”

I pull back just enough to look at her, then glance towards Dex, who's waiting a few feet away with a grin that tells me everything I need to know.

“Hmm. I think you're heading up because you're getting a little too hot.”

I wink.

Lexy throws her head back and laughs.

“Shut up!”

“Hey, no judgement here. You go, girl.”