It was a late night at Cousins, the little town you always went to with your mom and brother every summer. Every summer, you were always the odd one out—the uglier one.

But this summer was completely different. You’d blossomed. You were pretty now, or prettier than you were the many summers before.

So you thought you’d take advantage of it.

A late night swim. That's what your body was aching for after a long day. You pulled on a cute bikini and went out into the cool night, the wind brushing past your skin like a familiar touch.

But then you spotted him.

Rafe. Sitting by the edge of the pool, his feet dangling in the blue water, a cloud of smoke surrounding him.

You’d always liked Rafe, for the longest time. He was what you looked forward to every summer—not the beaches or the amazing house, it was him.

But of course, you never knew for certain if he liked you back, if he felt the same thrill you did every time your eyes locked on each other.

You drove into a pool with a small splash, just enough to get his attention off whatever thoughts he was lost in. It looks a few moments for you to come back up, running your hands through your hair and looking at him.

But he already was looking—no, staring at you. His blue eyes trailing down your body, even with the water covering most of it.

“Something on my face?” You ask flirtatiously, raising a brow and moving closer to him. You were right in front of his legs, which were dangling carelessly.

He smiles, looking down at you. “No, nothing. Just…” His voice trails off, his legs pulling you in closer, your heart thumping with every second.

“You look so beautiful right now.” He says, and your heart almost stops as the words slip out of his mouth. Was this real? Is Rafe really saying this to you?

Your throat is dry as you try to speak, and he can tell, a smirk forming. “What? Are you scared of me or somethin?” He asks, leaning in so his voice was right in your ear, his breath hot on your neck.