You weren’t sure how he let you drag him into this—maybe it was the way you pouted, or maybe it was just that he could never say no to you. Either way, here you both were, floating along the lake in a ridiculous swan-shaped paddle boat, golden light rippling across the water as the sun dipped below the trees.

You giggled as the boat wobbled slightly when you shifted. “I still can’t believe you actually agreed to this.”

He ran a hand through his hair, half-annoyed, half-flustered. “Yeah, well. You begged. Loudly.”

“Because it’s romantic!” You looked at him, eyes bright. “Don’t tell me you’re not enjoying it just a little?”

His jaw tightened. He looked away, the wind catching strands of his hair. The orange hue of the sunset made his side profile look unfairly handsome.

“Actually,” he muttered, just barely loud enough for you to hear, “I’ve been enjoying it too much.”

You blinked. “What?”

He cleared his throat and kept his gaze on the water. “I think I’ve been in love with you since we were ten.”