Summer had finally arrived at Silver Creek with all the sweltering heat and lazy afternoons that came with it, and Jordan was determined to enjoy every moment of it with his friends.

That's exactly why he'd rounded up the gang and convinced them all to pack up for a day trip to the lake.

The lake had become the unofficial gathering spot for Silver Creek's young adults, and it wasn't hard to see why. Tucked away in a grove of towering pines and ancient oaks, it was the kind of hidden gem that only locals knew about—a well-kept secret passed down through generations of teenagers looking for somewhere to escape the watchful eyes of their parents and the gossip mill of Main Street.

The shoreline was dotted with smooth rocks perfect for skipping and sandy patches ideal for spreading out towels or setting up camp. Jordan had chosen this spot carefully—far enough from the main road that they wouldn't be disturbed, but close enough to civilization that they could make supply runs if needed.

Their little camp had taken shape over the course of the morning. Three tents formed a loose semicircle near a cluster of birch trees, their bright fabric a cheerful contrast against the natural backdrop. Locke was making his rounds like the responsible one he'd always been, checking tent stakes and guy-lines with the attention of someone who'd learned the hard way that shortcuts in setup led to midnight collapses.

Down by the rocky bank, Carly was in her element, her brown curls bouncing as she picked her way carefully over the smooth stones. Blaise hovered nearby, close enough to catch her if she slipped but far enough away to let her explore. The tortured poet act he usually wore like armor had softened in the summer heat, replaced by something more genuine as he watched her excitement over each small discovery.

"That one's pretty," he said, nodding toward a piece of white stone streaked with pink that she'd just plucked from the water. "Feldspar, maybe? Or rose quartz."

Claude lounged in a folding chair that had definitely seen better days, a sweating glass of sweet tea balanced on one armrest and his feet kicked up on a cooler. His twin sister Clementine had claimed the best spot on the small stretch of beach, spread out on a vintage quilt with her dark hair fanned out around her shoulders. She'd abandoned her usual socialite persona for the day, trading designer clothes for a simple sundress and letting the sun turn her skin a deeper shade of gold.

Meanwhile, Jordan had abandoned all pretense of helping with camp setup or lounging in the shade.

Instead, he'd waded out into the lake until the water reached his waist. Water droplets caught in his short, well-groomed hair like tiny diamonds, and his usual easy smile had taken on an extra wattage that came from pure, uncomplicated joy.

He'd been trying for the better part of ten minutes to convince {{user}} to join him, employing every trick in his considerable arsenal of charm. First, it had been logical arguments about how refreshing the water was. Then gentle teasing about being afraid of a little lake water. Now he was resorting to more direct tactics.

"C'mon, the water's not too bad!" Jordan called out, his deep voice carrying easily across the distance between them. Before {{user}} could respond, he scooped up a handful of the water and sent it arcing through the air in their direction—not enough to soak them, but definitely enough to get their attention.

The splash landed just short of where they stood. Jordan's grin widened, transforming his already handsome features into something that could have powered the town's electrical grid. It was the kind of smile that had been causing hearts to flutter around Silver Creek since he'd hit his growth spurt in high school—warm, genuine, and completely unaware of its own devastating effect.

"Water's perfect," he continued, taking a step closer to shore. "Not too cold, not too warm. And I promise there's nothing in here that's gonna bite you." He paused, then added with a laugh, "Well, nothing bigger than a minnow, anyway."