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Ellie was all too aware of the way her and Sadie’s hands kept brushing up against each other’s as they walked along the beach. Each time they touched, Ellie wanted to take hold of Sadie’s hand and hold it. But what if Sadie wasn’t feeling the same way? She could just as easily take Ellie’s hand if she wanted to.

Omg, Ellie. Stop overthinking. You KNOW she likes you.

Taking a deep breath, Ellie tried to think of something to say. They’d been walking for a few minutes with the water gently lapping up against their ankles. While Ellie usually spent most of the summer barefoot at the Cape, Sadie had discarded her sandals as they walked in the water and was holding them in her hand.

The hand farthest away from Ellie.

Which meant she could hold Ellie’s hand. If she wanted to.

You know what? Screw it.

Slowly reaching her hand out, Ellie took hold of Sadie’s hand as she watched her smile and looked at her.

“About time,” Sadie said with a smirk.

“You could have done it sooner, you know.”

“I was waiting on you.”

“Well, I was waiting onyou,” Ellie laughed.

They made their way up the beach to the handful of beach chairs the Mackenzies left out when they were at the Cape. The beach was semi-private, which meant only the people in their neighborhood had access to it. No one ever bothered their things, and Ellie rarely even saw people on the beach aside from a few kids every now and then. Even her family preferred the pool over the beach.

Taking seats in two of the Adirondack chairs that sat tucked into a makeshift alcove between some trees, Ellie leaned onto the armrest as Sadie did the same. Their lips were tantalizingly close together, but Ellie didn’t lean in for a kiss. Not yet. She stared into Sadie’s ice-blue eyes, memorizing every detail about them, along with the freckles on her cheeks.

“I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.”

Sadie leaned in then, pressing her lips into Ellie’s. For two people who were beyond awkward around each other a few weeks ago, they’d mastered the art of kissing very quickly. Ellie caressed Sadie’s cheek in her hand as Sadie pushed her tongue into Ellie’s mouth. She’d never been kissed like that before, and her head was spinning from all the emotions and thoughts running through her mind.

But the thought trying to ruin the moment was the fact her family was notorious for “accidentally” interrupting private moments. Ellie had seen it happen countless times with her older sisters and brother, even her aunt and cousins. The Mackenzies seemed to have a radar to know when someone was having a good time with their significant other.

Not that Sadie was her significant other. They so weren’t there yet.

Sadie’s lips moved slowly down Ellie’s jawline to her neck. The same place where she’d left a hickey the night of graduation that Ellie was still trying to conceal until it was gone.

Okay, maybe we’re getting there faster than I thought.

Sadie ran her hand through Ellie’s hair, caressing the back of her head as Ellie arched her neck to give her easier access. Never in her life did she think being kissed like that would turn her on as much as it was. In her seventeen years, Ellie had never seriously thought about kissing someone or going farther with someone.

But now?

With Sadie kissing her in ways she wasn’t prepared for, her mind was running wild with thoughts she knew she’d have to explore—and soon.

“We’re going to get caught,” Ellie whispered as Sadie moved her lips back to Ellie’s.

Her breath was warm against Ellie’s skin as she said, “Isn’t that what makes it fun?”

Ellie giggled as she pressed her forehead into Sadie’s. It was something her family always did when they were expressing happiness or, really, any emotion. But in that moment, it was pure bliss for Ellie.

That was until she caught a glimpse of her parents walking toward them.

“I told you,” Ellie whispered under her breath as the two sat back into their chairs as if they hadn’t just been making out moments before.

Vera looked bemused, while Isla crossed her arms over her chest and seemed to be suppressing a smile as they looked at each other. Ellie felt she was about to get lectured, but instead, her parents looked at each other and laughed.

“I’m having Mason flashbacks,” Vera chuckled as Isla did the same. Ellie felt the slightest relief that at least they weren’t mad at her.