Page 24 of It Started at the Lake

“Correction, Evs,” Henry says. “You came up with it.” Henry looks at me. “When Evie was ten, she was obsessed with High School Musical. She stalked Zac Efron. Even though ‘Zanessa’ had broken up by the time Evie loved the movies, she started putting her name with everyone’s like celebrity couples do. Including mine during family game nights. That whole summer, everyone called us Henvie, and it drove me mad. Still does. We’re family, Evs, it’s gross.”

Uh, yeah, that is not okay to ship yourself with a cousin. My eyes widen. “Is that why we watch The Greatest Showman, 17 Again, and The Lucky One on repeat?” How have I missed that Evie loves Zac the last five years?

He’s not her usual blond-haired, sea-green-eyed type. Interesting…

Evie shrugs, playing innocent. “Maaaybe…”

Bennett drops his hands from my shoulders. I shiver, which is ridiculous considering the warm temperature. I can’t possibly be missing the heat of his touch. Really, I need a distraction from Bennett. My thoughts are getting way out of hand. “You ready to win this, shoe-twin?” Bennett asks.

I close my eyes and shake my head, clearing it. “Yes.” Wait. Shoe-twin? I glance at my black Nikes with a white swoop, then at Bennett’s. Somehow, I completely missed that we had the same shoes. “We have good taste.” I wiggle my foot.

“We were meant to be.” Bennett taps the side of his foot against mine. “A shoe-five. For luck.”

We were meant to be? Does he only mean as pickleball partners? Or something else?

Ugh. This is one of those times I’m annoyed with myself. I need to pull it together. He’s grieving. I’m not dating. Our stages in life are totally different. He probably never wants to get married again, whereas I do. There are lots of reasons we wouldn’t work, and that’s where my focus should be. Friends having a good summer. That’s it.

“Are we playing or what?” Henry shouts.

“Yes, your highness.” Bennett grabs a ball from the pocket of his gym shorts. “We’ll serve first.”

I force myself to stop any and all considerations for Bennett and concentrate on the game. It’s harder than I expected, especially when he’s animated with teasing Evie and Henry. I like this confident, spirited Bennett, just like I enjoy the considerate side of Bennett.

Nope, nope, nope.

I won’t fall for Bennett.

No matter what.

CHAPTER 11

Camille

Being Bennett’s partner is different from Cam’s.

It’s better.

We’re in sync. Almost like we can read each other’s mind. It’s weird and awesome at the same time. With Cam, we constantly called out who had the hit. Somehow, Bennett and I instinctively know who’s returning the ball without speaking out loud. Is this how professional teammates are?

All I know is my skills are improving with each volley. As much as I’d like to say it’s because I played a game already and am warmed up, I am certain it’s the man on the court next to me. How is it possible he makes me better?

This place must have weird voodoo magic.

Or maybe it’s just Bennett?

Bennett angles his paddle, tapping the ball barely over the net until it drops on Henry and Evie’s side of the court. Henry runs forward, but it’s too late. The ball bounces twice, and we get the point.

“Looks like I’m leaving undefeated—again—today.” Bennett flexes his biceps.

Evie growls. “You’re so arrogant.”

Bennett throws his arms out wide. “It's not my fault I inherited long limbs.”

“Hate the game, not the player.” Henry rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, bro, we’ve heard it all before.”

I’m grateful Cam is playing with Emerson. If we had to go up against Bennett and Evie, I’d never hear the end of Evie’s bragging today. She’ll be grumpy about losing this match, but I’ll remind her of her win against Cam and me, and she’ll be floating on cloud nine again.

I serve, immediately running forward, getting ready for whatever comes my way. Henry lobs the ball in my direction. We go back and forth, but no matter who hits—Evie or Henry—they aim for me. Smacking it back, I call out, “Are you purposely only hitting it toward me? Afraid of Big Bad Bennett?”

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