Tessa

The closer we get to the lake, the easier it feels to breathe. Since hopping in the car, I haven't given a second thought to Benji or his bullshit. That is probably because Charlotte and Leah commandeered my phone and blocked and deleted his contact info within the first five minutes of the trip.

After the first Benji notification, Leah snagged my phone and rambled off a few choice words after seeing the name that had popped up on the screen. She and Charlotte shared a look and almost immediately eradicated my ex from the cell, saving not only my sanity but my battery as well.

I didn't put up a fight.

To be honest, I'm not sure why I hadn't done it myself sooner. After that, I let all thoughts of him and what he'd done float into space. This vacation was going to be a Benji-free zone. I could already feel the healing effects hitting me as my friends reminded me what it felt like to be back home again.

We laughed and talked the entire hour and a half it took to reach the lake house, reminiscing about old times and planning all the things we would do this summer. As familiar markers appeared, the energy inside the Tahoe grew more excited, and I felt utterly free. We were almost there, almost to my favorite place on earth.

I could feel it in the air; something about this summer would be different. It was going to be our most memorable vacation yet.

"I can see the dock!" Leah's voice carried through the car.

My excitement mounted as I looked out the window and caught my first glimpse of the lake, nestled inside a bank of mature trees, hiding our little piece of paradise from the prying eyes of summer tourists. I took a deep breath as I looked out over the water, the rays of the sun reflecting off the surface, giving the scene a picturesque appearance.

This is my happy place.

I couldn't wait to park the car and jump into this vacation. I'd waited an entire year to make it back here; I wasn't about to waste a second of the time I had.

As Micah steered us down the long driveway that led to the house, I watched out the window, taking in the view. The road was lined with gorgeous oak, maple, and pine trees, extending all the way down to the water. Out here, our nearest neighbor is at least half a mile away. It's almost like we have this little section of the lake all to ourselves.

Memories from the last several years start coming back to me as we approach the house. The first time we came here, Leah, Charlotte, and I ditched our phones and luggage and ran straight for the dock, jumping into the lake fully clothed.

The guys got a kick out of it and joined us shortly after. We spent most of that first night out there, floating on the water, soaking up the peace and quiet.

We've all grown up a bit since our first time here, and so much has changed. Yet, it somehow still feels the same as it did that first year.

There is something notably different in the air this summer, though. It's like an electric current floating through the trees, buzzing around us, making us aware that this summer will be more exciting than the last.

Charlotte bumps my arm, making me turn her way. I can see by the smile she's wearing; she can feel it too. Something good is coming our way this year. And I can't wait to find out what that something is.

The car slows to a stop, and my pulse quickens. "We're heeere," Micah chimes from the driver's seat.

A chorus of excited cheers erupts from the back seat as we all spill out of the Tahoe, more than ready to get this vacation going. Our lively chatter echoes through the trees around us as we take our first breaths of fresh air.

"I'm so excited to show you guys what my parents did to the house. It's like a luxury hotel in there now," Leah informs us as we make our way to our bags.

A slamming car door and the sound of three new voices catch my attention as I sling one of my bags over my shoulder. I follow the sound to Landon's Jeep, parked a few feet away. He, Jason, and Levi make quick work emptying their vehicle, laughing about something as they set their bags near the front door.

I watch as Levi hoists the last cooler from the Jeep. His arms are bulging under the weight, stretching out his shirt sleeves, showing the size of his defined muscles. My mouth suddenly feels bone dry. Please tell me I wasn't just gaping at him like some thirsty coed.

Just in case, I check my chin for drool. As I do, Levi looks up, his eyes meeting mine from across the drive. I can't help the smile that spreads over my lips as he looks at me. He mirrors my expression before setting the cooler down and walking toward me.

"Want some help with your stuff, Tessa?" Levi asks as Leah unlocks the door for everyone, directing Landon on where to take the coolers.

For some odd reason, his act of chivalry has my cheeks heating. "You don't have to," I tell him with a bashful shake of my head.

"I don't mind," he replies, grabbing my suitcase and walking to the door.

I follow as he grabs his bags before leading the way through the house. Leah was right; her parents were busy this year, updating the place. The floors are all new throughout, and the kitchen looks like something you'd see in an upscale condo in the city. The only thing that hasn't changed is the layout.

Ever since our first year, each of us has stayed in the same room every summer. Charlotte and Jason get the suite on the lower level, Leah gets the main level master, Colin and Micah stay in the second-story suite, Landon's room is upstairs just down the hall from Levi's, and my room is on the main level, not far from Leah's.

I take in all the updates to the house as Levi leads us to my room. Everything is so bright and new; all the details were impeccably crafted. This will definitely be our best summer yet.

I stop behind Levi as he opens up the door to my room. A gasp of delight leaves me as I see the plush comforter and pillows resting on my mattress. The room is gorgeous. I resist the urge to dump my bag on the floor and dive on top of the bed, not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of Levi.

"This is awesome, Tess," Levi muses as he takes in the new décor, setting my bag down before walking back to where I'm still standing.

"It really is," I sigh dreamily as I imagine myself cuddled up on top of the cloud that is my bed for the next two weeks.

The sound of Levi setting his bag down grabs my attention. When I look his way, he has a mischievous smirk on his face. Before I can ask what he's doing, he wraps his arms around my waist and flings us both onto the mountain of fluff atop my bed.

The downy comforter swallows us as we land with a bounce, sending pillows flying in all directions. Levi's laughter blends with my own as I playfully slap his arm. "What was that for?"

His smile widens as he tells me, "You looked like you were two seconds from doing it anyway, and I wanted to see just how soft all of this was."

A hum of content vibrates through my lips as I settle into my plush surroundings, feeling the most relaxed I have in months. I watch as Levi's face softens as he melts into the bed beside me. That's when I notice his hand hasn't left my side, and we are lying incredibly close.

All it would take for our lips to meet is for one or both of us to move a few inches forward. Our eyes meet, and I can see a debate raging inside him as we lay there, unmoving.

The seconds pass, and the space between us starts to feel heavy. Something flashes in his eyes, and he starts moving closer. My heartbeat speeds with anticipation as Levi's face moves slowly toward me.

"Hey, Levi! Come help me with the rest of the coolers!" Landon's voice sounds from the hallway just before his head appears inside my door.

Levi and I shuffle off the bed awkwardly, and I pray Landon didn't see what was about to happen. I hear Levi clear his throat and respond, "Yeah. I'll be right there."

He moves toward Landon, who quickly disappears down the hallway. Just before leaving, Levi turns back, giving me a look full of longing. Without another word, he vanishes, heading out the way Landon did.

My head starts to feel light as I replay what just happened. I stumble to the edge of the bed, sitting down so I can regain my bearings. Did that really just happen?

Levi was so close. He was moving closer. He was going to kiss me. Wasn't he?

My fingers touch my lips, imagining how Levi's would have felt against me had we not been interrupted. If this is any indication of how this summer will go, I can't wait to see what happens next. 

A/N:

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