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“I know,” I groaned.

“Are you still worried about ruining your friendship?” she asked.

“That, and the fact I can’t seem to forget about Noah. Is it fair to start something with Wes when my heart still beats faster every time Noah enters the room?”

“Wes isn’t stupid. He understands you’re still getting over Noah.”

“I know.”

“And it’s not like anything’s going to happen with Noah,” she added. “He’s never going to go against his grandfather’s wishes.” She softened her words with a sad smile.

“So, you think I should go for it?”

“I mean, what would you prefer? To continue just being friends or to actually date?”

“Well, kissing without committing to an actual relationship has been pretty great so far,” I muttered. “But it’s starting to get messy.”

“I don’t think that’s something either of you would want long-term either,” Cress said. “Wes isn’t the kind of guy that does casual. He’s the kind of guy that loves caring for someone and being in a committed relationship. I think you’re that kind of girl too…”

I blew out a breath and nodded. “Am I an idiot for even questioning this? The way you described Wes, any girl would be silly to turn him down, right?”

“You’re not an idiot,” Cress said. “You’re just being careful.”

“I can’t believe I’m even considering another relationship. Not after the last two breakups I’ve gone through.”

“I don’t think Wes will break your heart.”

“I don’t think so either,” I agreed. That didn’t make this decision any easier. “I thought talking to you would make it clearer in my head. But I’m still a jumbled mess. I don’t want to screw things up.”

“Sometimes doing nothing screws things up more. I think you need to make a decision.”

I knew Cress was right. I couldn’t leave Wes hanging. I either had to take a risk and commit to a relationship or let things go back to the way they were before. No more kisses in closets.

“Maybe the universe will give me a sign today,” I said.

“You’re leaving this up to the universe?” Cress laughed. “That sounds dangerous.”

“Well, I don’t really trust myself to make decisions like this. I always seem to make the wrong choice. So, I think I’ll let the universe take this one…”

Cress shook her head. “Be warned, the universe might be skewed in Wes’s favor today. He’s going to look pretty hot in his uniform.”

“You think I’m going to date him because of a uniform?”

“I mean, it’s a very convincing uniform. Why else do you think so many girls are going to the regatta today?”

A small spike of insecurity went through me. Wes was gorgeous, and I didn’t like the idea of half the girls at school salivating over him. Then again, they’d all done the exact same thing over Noah. I guessed it came with the territory when you dated a cute boy. The major difference here was that Wes wasn’t my boyfriend, and if we went back to being friends, he would be free to entertain any offers that came his way. I didn’t like that idea at all.

Cress and I finished getting ready before we headed down to the lake. As we neared the new boathouse that sat proudly on the shoreline, I could see quite a crowd was already gathered. Tents were pitched along one of the banks of the lake with different school logos proudly displayed across the material.

I didn’t recognize many of the students walking around the school grounds, and a group of guys nudged each other and grinned as Cress and I passed. One of the cuter ones sent us a wink.

“Anna is going to be drooling over all the fresh meat,” Cress said, making me laugh.

“Yeah, she is always complaining about how we always see the same guys at all our parties.”

“Not tonight,” Cress replied. “There’s usually an after-party at Luther’s on regatta nights, and some kids from the rival schools come. It can get pretty wild.”

“Because Luther’s other parties are so tame,” I muttered.