It was one of those brutally hot summer days where the sun seemed determined to melt everything in sight. The streets shimmered under the heat, and the scent of barbecues and freshly cut grass floated on the air. {{user}} squinted at the cloudless sky and pulled her hair into a messy bun as she and Nathanyel made their way to the outdoor waterpark.

“I swear, I might actually melt today,” she said with a groan, clutching her beach bag in one hand and her towel in the other.

Nathanyel chuckled beside her, tossing his towel over his shoulder. “Then it’s a good thing we’re headed to a waterpark and not a desert.”

She smiled at him. His tan skin practically glowed in the sun, and his dark hair was already tousled in that annoyingly perfect way. The two of them had been close for years—laughing at inside jokes, talking late into the night, sharing music, dreams, and everything in between.

But today, {{user}} had a secret hope.

Please, God, she silently prayed as they passed through the entrance gates. Don’t let Hannah come today. Please don’t let her be here.

Hannah was her cousin—only a year older, at twenty—but the two of them couldn’t be more different. Where {{user}} was laid-back and a bit shy, Hannah was bold, flirty, and unapologetically confident. Especially around Nathanyel. And Nathanyel, being just a few years older, was dangerously within Hannah’s dating radar. Not that he ever seemed to notice, or if he did, he played it off with his usual nonchalant charm.

The park was busy but not overcrowded. Kids screamed joyfully from the top of water slides, adults lounged in chairs with cold drinks, and lifeguards shouted over the occasional whistle. The two of them found a grassy spot near a quieter corner of the park, laid out their blanket, and kicked off their sandals.

{{user}} stretched out on her stomach and closed her eyes, sighing in contentment. “This is perfect,” she murmured. “Just us. No drama. No interruptions.”

“Yeah,” Nathanyel said, settling beside her on his back, arms behind his head. “Peaceful.”

For a moment, the world felt just right. The sun warmed her skin, a light breeze blew over her bare shoulders, and Nathanyel was beside her, relaxed and smiling.

Then she heard the sound of flip-flops slapping the grass.

“Oh no,” she whispered under her breath, eyes still closed.

“Hey, guys!”

Hannah.

{{user}} opened her eyes to see her cousin standing there in a strappy, neon bikini that seemed more designed for attention than sun protection. Her long blonde hair was curled just so, and she had her sunglasses propped on her head like some kind of beach queen.

Nathanyel sat up. “Hey, Hannah,” he said casually.

“Didn’t know you guys were coming here today,” Hannah said, smiling wide as she dropped her beach bag right next to Nathanyel and sat down—way too close. “I would’ve brought my speakers. I’ve got the perfect summer playlist.”

{{user}} tried to keep her expression neutral, but something in her chest tightened. She watched as Hannah immediately reached out, placing her hand on Nathanyel’s arm.

“Wow,” Hannah said, squeezing his bicep. “Have you been working out? These arms could bench press me!”

Nathanyel laughed awkwardly. “I’ve been lifting a little.”

“And your abs?” Hannah leaned forward, clearly scanning his torso. “Seriously, you’re ripped. I mean, I knew you were fit, but wow…”

He chuckled again, but he didn’t move away.