Page 64 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

Isuck in a breathas I lower, knee-deep, into the water. It’s colder than I expected. The others run into the water, splashing and hollering, and I wonder if their bodies experience temperature in a different way to mine.

An awkward shiver dings my internal alarm. I hug my midsection, hating that I’m still exposed above the water. I want to get deeper, purely to cover my bikini patched body. But, boy, not being a waterbaby is holding me back.

My jaw clenches, I hold my breath, and tense my muscles. Inch by inch, I lower. An ache niggles between my shoulder blades as everyone else swims several feet ahead.

In a deeper section, Parker and Tyler are trying to dunk each other underwater. They laugh and yell as water splashes around their chaotic wrestling.

In a mess of hands and elbows, Tyler manages to push Parker off, who flops backward.

Tyler whips water off his hair, and in a mocking tone says, “Why don’t you find your girlfriend?”

Parker spits out water and squints as he wipes his brow. He looks around his immediate area, and after concluding I’m not with the others, spots me.

I gulp, feeling every pin prick of insecurity.

Parker waves me over, but I can’t do anything but stare at him.

His head tilts, questioningly.

When I still don’t budge, he glides through the water toward me.

My anxiety competes with the water temperature over what can give me the most chills.

“Hi,” he says with a cheesy grin.

I hug my middle and stammer, “Umm, hi.”

He blinks at me, peers over his shoulder, and then wiggles his eyebrows. “What ya doing?”

“Acclimatizing.”

“You’re cold? The water’s beautiful.”

“If you say so.”

He motions behind him. “They’re starting to talk. Why don’t you dive in and join us?”

“It’s not that easy,” I protest, but I’m thwarted by Parker. He scoops me up, making me yelp. “Parker! What are you doing?”

“Helping you out,” he jokes, carrying my body against him.

My core heats up by the others flicking their heads in our direction.

“Put me down!” I squeal.

“Are you sure?” Parker asks, backed by a mocking laugh.

My body tenses. “Do not throw me in the water!”

“Ready?” he teases, swaying my body like he’s ready to hurl me further into the lake.

I loop my arms around his neck. “Don’t!”

He throws his head back with laughter and stops swaying me. He lowers us into the water, gradually submerging my body. I suck in an apprehensive breath, taking in the water temperature at a faster rate.

He smirks. “Not so bad, is it?”

I pull my arms from around him and put all my effort into not letting my teeth chatter.

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