The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden shimmer across the water as Jake and Gaby stepped into the warm pool together. It was one of those rare, peaceful afternoons where they had nothing on their schedule — just each other and the water. Gaby, 18, had her hair pulled into a messy bun, and Jake, 19, couldn’t help but smile at how effortlessly pretty she looked. She wore his favorite color, and even though she rolled her eyes when he pointed it out, she was definitely blushing.

As they swam side by side, Jake kept inching closer, playfully splashing her before wrapping his arms around her from behind. “You’re not getting away from me,” he whispered, nuzzling into her shoulder with a grin.

Gaby laughed, trying to twist out of his grip but not really trying. “Babe! I’m trying to swim, not get attacked by a clingy boyfriend!”

“Oh, you love it,” Jake said, planting a soft kiss on her cheek, then another one on her neck just to make her squirm.

She laughed again and finally gave in, turning around to face him. “Okay fine, maybe I do. But if you dunk me one more time, you’re sleeping on the couch.”