Page 47 of Switch!

We make use of the floating docks, going down the slide while clinging to each other, or challenging each other to perform impressive dives off the edge. When the sun makes brief appearances from between the clouds, we use the opportunity to stretch out and bathe in its rays while chatting. Once we grow restless again, it’s back into the water.

I’m reminded of my date with Ashley, and it amazes me how different I view that relationship in retrospect. We didn’t truly know each other. We hadn’t been on multiple dates or stayed up late talking on the phone every night. I connect with Sarah on so many levels. She’s easily the most important person in my life. I want her to know that. I wait until we’re both stretched out on our towels and say, “Meeting you is the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Sarah places her hand over mine and squeezes. “Same here. I can’t remember the last time I felt so happy.”

Me neither, although it troubles me that I can’t be completely honest with her. I’ve thought about revealing my big secret. Not yet though. I’ll wait until we’re so close that she’ll know she can trust me.

We’re getting into my truck a few hours later, our swimsuits still damp, when Sarah hesitates.

“Are you sure?” she asks. “The seats will get wet.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I say. “They’ll dry out eventually.”

The only other option is to take off our swimsuits. It’s an appealing idea. The truck is parked on the opposite side of the lot, facing away from the lake. Most people have left by now. We have a fair amount of privacy. The truck’s windows are tinted enough that I doubt anyone could see what’s happening inside unless they got really close. Maybe now is a good time to take things further.

“Did you have fun?” I ask.

“Yeah!” Sarah replies.

She’s about to buckle her seatbelt. I take her hand before she can and lean closer for a kiss.

“What’s this?” she asks with a knowing expression. Except she pulls away.

That’s a good sign. They want you to pursue.

“I don’t know,” I murmur in response. I place a kiss on her neck. “Let’s find out.”

Sarah glances around before her lips meet mine. We have a stupid plastic hump between our seats that’s used for storage. I wish it wasn’t there. I angle myself toward her as much as possible as we continue to make out.

You have to make the first move.

These aren’t Caleb’s thoughts I’m hearing, but by drawing from his experiences, it feels like he’s giving me advice. I’m willing to listen too, considering he has successfully negotiated this sort of thing in the past. Even though I’m terrified, I move a hand over to cup one of Sarah’s breasts. She continues to kiss me, so I slide my hand down and under her bikini top.

“Hey now!” she says, grabbing my wrist. “We’re in public.”

A girl has to act reluctant or people will call her a slut.

“Nobody can see us,” I assure her. “I just want to touch you.”

Sarah doesn’t look pleased, but when I try to kiss her again, she reciprocates. I squeeze gently and move a thumb over her nipple, which she seems to like, since she sighs against my lips. I’ve never seen bare breasts before. Not in real life, so I lean back while lifting her bikini to get a good look. I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s just as beautiful there as everywhere else, but I am.

“Okay, champ,” Sarah says as she tugs the bikini back down to cover herself. “That’s enough. There are little kids playing nearby.”

Don’t stop. Be persistent.

“Nobody can see us from the waist down,” I say, sliding a palm across her stomach. The tips of my fingers enter her bikini bottom before she pulls my hand away.

“I’m telling you to stop,” Sarah says.

Don’t listen. Be persistent.

“Would it make you feel better if I go first?” I settle back into my seat and pull the band of my swim trunks down.

“That’s very impressive,” Sarah says after staring for a second. Then she tears her eyes away. “But this isn’t the right place.”

Be persistent.

“Just touch it.”