I take that as a huge compliment.

“Nice Ariel suit,” Mindy says when the boat slows down outside the cove.

“Thanks,” I say, incorrectly thinking for a split second she’s actually complimenting me.

“Are those supposed to be sea shells?” She peers over the top of her sunglasses. “And where did you find that, the kids’ section?” She turns to her sister, expecting her to flash me the same nasty look. Zoey looks down and I know she’s torn between laughing and agreeing and not insulting her best friend’s soon-to-be sister-in-law.

“They’re clams,” I say and look down at my breasts. “And if a store put out double-D-sized tops in a kids’ section I’d be concerned.” I’m not quite a double, but I do fill out a D nicely. Mindy doesn’t need to know that, though.

“I like it,” Ben says, leaning forward to look at my boobs. “It looks good on you.”

“Thanks,” I say. “Everyone wants to be a mermaid, whether they admit it or not. At least for a day.”

Mindy just scoffs and turns around. Jake bitches at me to get up and help him anchor the boat, since I know how to do it. A few long minutes later, we’re ready to jump into the chilly water. Ben jumps in, going under. I slowly lower myself down the ladder off the swim deck.

Legs in. No problem.

Getting my pelvis in. That’s a problem. I suck in a breath and go down another step.

“Come in,” Ben says, treading water. “It’s not bad.”

“It’s cold!” I protest and slowly go down another step. I’m on the last one. Crap. Getting my nipples in the cold water is the worst. I mentally count to three then push off the small ladder. I doggie paddle over to Ben, who is holding my lifejacket. I push it under water and use it as a seat. Ben tries to wrap his arms around me and kiss me, but accidentally pushes me off my floaty seat. He catches me and we both go under. Laughing, he pulls me up.

Jake jumps in next, and Danielle sits on the swim deck and dangles her feet in the water.

“Hey, Liss,” Jake says and paddles over. “I just realized … Mindy is the same Mindy who used to bully you in school, right?” I don’t want to agree and let Ben know our history. The past is in the past, but it still embarrasses me. And it shouldn’t. So my embarrassment shames me. Win win for everyone.

Not.

“I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have let her come if I knew.”

“It’s fine.” I brush it off. I can’t look at Ben in the eye right now. I want to sink below the surface and never return. Well, I’ll return in like thirty seconds. I can’t hold my breath very long.

Jake gives me a lopsided smile and I know he genuinely feels bad. Though he’s younger than me, he took his role of brother seriously when we were growing up and stood up for me as much as he annoyed me. He turns and works on coaxing Danielle into the water. I grab Ben’s hand and pull him into the cove. The shore is rocky and covered in weeds, making it undesirable for beach goers. Which is desirable for us boaters, who like the calmness of the water without the hassle of dealing with the boat getting tossed into a swimmer.

“Your tits really do look fucking fantastic in that,” Ben says as we get away from the boat. “They look fucking fantastic on their own too. You can ditch the top anytime.”

“Tonight, baby. They’re all yours.”

“And sorry if saying I was your date imposed,” he says.

“No, not at all.” We try to embrace but end up bumping legs as we both tread water to stay afloat. “I wanted to ask you, but wasn’t sure if you’d even want to go. I know weddings can be kinda lame.”

He nods, agreeing. “Being with you isn’t lame.”

“Thanks,” I say and let my arms fall, giving up on swimming and kissing. I float on my back, spreading my arms and legs out to keep myself up. “I was seriously dreading being stuck at the singles table again since they’re not doing the head table with the whole bridal party. Or be put with my parents like a loser.”

Ben laughs softly. “You’re not a loser now.”

“You don’t mind going?” I ask, unable to hide my insecurities. “I know you have a lot going on.”

“Do you want me to go?”

“Yes. I really do.”

“Then no, I don’t mind at all. I want to make you happy,” he tells me. “And I don’t want you to feel like a loser.”

I laugh. “That’s very considerate of you. And now I’m actually looking forward to the wedding.” A weight I didn’t know was on my shoulders lifts. Not only do I have a date to my brother’s wedding, but it’s the best possible date ever.

Ben stacks our lifejackets together and sits on them, then pulls me into his lap. With a little paddling, we are able to keep our bodies locked and stay above the surface.

“It’s nice here,” Ben says, moving his head down to kiss me. “Did you come out here a lot when you lived here?”

“We did. I feel like this is our little spot of the lake. I get pissed when I see other people here, like those guys over there.” I narrow my eyes at the other boats, who no doubt feel the same about us. “The seaweed is pretty bad so a lot of boaters don’t bother. That’s why the boat’s way out there and we have to swim here. And the shore isn’t good for laying out or playing or anything. The water is calm and it’s quiet. I like it.”

“I do too. I imagine the lake isn’t always this crowded either.”

“Not at all. Weekends are pretty full, but not as bad as a holiday. I like coming out during the week at the beginning and end of summer, when the kids are still in school.”

“More privacy,” Ben says and kisses my neck.

“What about you?” I ask. “What did you spend your summers doing?”

“Typical, boring stuff,” he laughs. “I played sports and hung out with friends. I did camps when I was younger. And by younger, I mean I went until I was fifteen.”

“They still let fifteen year olds in camps?” I tease.

“They let you go even longer. We lived in the same place for all of my high school years, so I had friends to hang out with then. Summers were boring, but winters were more fun. I like to snowboard.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“I’d say I’m better than average at it, but I’m no pro. It’s fun. I still go every winter with friends. And ride snowmobiles.”

“I much prefer warm weather activities.”

He chuckles. “I like warm weather too. I told you, when it’s bad I won’t even go into work. But it’s different when you’re doing something fun like snowboarding and skiing, or riding a snowmobile. You get all geared up and stay warm.”

I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t like feeling all bundled.”

His eyes drop to my tits. “I don’t think I’ll like you being all bundled.”

I shiver, despite the sun beating down on us. He reaches down into the water and rubs my core, wiggling his eyebrows and making me giggle. I think he’s joking until I feel his cock start to harden underneath me. I raise my eyebrows in question.

“You’re turning me on,” he says and pulls me closer. I crane my neck to keep it above the water. “That’s a problem.”

“It is,” I say and look behind me, seeing Zoey and Mindy finally join Danielle and Jake in the water. They make their way over, to the cove. “But I think I have a solution.”

*

“You’re sunburned already,” Ben says as we head back to the dock for lunch.

I look down at my shoulders and grimace. “I was going to put sunscreen on and forgot.”

“It’s not too late,” he says.

“I’ll get it when we get back.”

Mindy laughs, holding her hat with one hand to keep from blowing off. “You are really pale. No wonder you burned easily. I tan. I never burn.”

“Anyone with skin can burn if they’re out long enough,” I say dryly.

“You don’t even have a base tan.” She rolls her eyes and I feel like the lame-o in high school I once was, not allowed to go to the tanning bed due to my mother’s fear of me getting skin cancer. I’m thankful now, but that was just another thing added to the list of why I never sat at the cool table.