Patrick's words echo in my head. She's perfect for some summer fun. I'm not the type of girl who has summer fun. When I fall for someone it's for good, I don't like whirlwind romances that only last a few months. Sure, Anna is a lot of fun, but I'm literally two days out of a relationship that I thought might last forever. I'm not ready.

Anna comes into the room, her hair is wet, and the scent of coconut wafts around me. Her fluffy blue towel is wrapped around her body. Shutting the door she starts to get dressed. She's not shy at all. I bury my head back into the Christina Lauren book I've been devouring. In the corner of my eye I catch Anna pulling on some comfortable shorts and a sports bra, leaving her stomach exposed. There's something about the way her sides curve that make me feel all these crazy things.

She settles down into the bed beside me.

"Christina Lauren, they are my favorite. Have you read Josh and Hazel? Hazel is my spirit animal. Or Human, I guess."

"That's my favorite." I glance up at her with a smile. She scoots over her body flush against mine as she looks down at the book like she's reading.

"Oh, do you mind if I read with you? I like this one too."

I avert my eyes from the book over to her. Her wet hair falls just above her breasts, leaving some wet marks against the black bra. Her big brown eyes glisten in the fading light of the sun peeking through the window. I know I'm just looking for comfort after an insanely hard breakup, but it feels almost like I've known for more than five hours.

"Sure."

We spent most of the late afternoon engrossed in the book. We wait until the other is done reading to turn the page, but mostly finish around the same time. When I finally check the time on my phone. It's almost seven. My stomach starts to rumble as the smell of beef burgers and potato salad circulates through the house.

"I smell it too. Would it be okay if we read later? I love reading before bed and I forgot all my books and my cell is so ancient. Reading on it is awful."

"Sure."

I close the book and stare up at her with a smile. She reaches up and tucks a strand of my wavy mousy brown hair behind my ear. "Perfect, can't wait."

She gets up and waits for me at the door.

"Oh," I say. "I'll be down in a minute."

She smiles, "Okay." Then retreats from the room.

My heart is trying to escape from my chest. What is happening right now? I put my head in my hands and Oliver's handsome bearded face flashes in my head. The look on his face when he broke it off with me haunts me. It was as stoic as Edward when he told Bella he never loved her. How is it that we went from having sex in his dorm to him telling me it's over within only a few hours? Was there someone else? I guess I'll never know.

***

Downstairs in the kitchen everyone is sitting down for dinner. The first eye to catch mine is Anna. There's an empty chair beside her at the large oval table in the open living room/dining room/ kitchen area. She pats the seat. Patrick is on the other side and that makes me feel a little better. I don't want her to get the wrong idea. Sure, she's attractive, and in only the thirty seconds I knew her being with her felt oddly familiar, but I'm not sure what I want out of my summer.

I sit down beside her and she happily greets me. She lifts the wine bottle and the glass that's already set in my spot. I nod as she pours the yellow-gold liquid into the cup. I take a sip and almost down it when Patrick bumps into me.

"Go easy," he whispers. He's always looking out for me.

"So, guys there are some events coming up, figure we can take part in some of them," Sally says.

Sally sits across the table. Her long black hair is wrapped in a braid and lazily lays across her shoulder.

"For tomorrow, who is going to join in the volleyball tournament down the beach?"

"I will," Anna shouts, raising her hand. "I played in High School."

"Perfect! So that's me, Hunter..." She eyes the rest of us.

Hunter sits beside Sally. He's also a student, but is a business major. He's one of Patrick's good friends. He's got a huge crush on Sally, but she always claims she doesn't have time for a relationship.

"What about you?" Sally looks at me from across the table.

I stop putting the burger on my plate and sigh. "I'm terrible at sports. You know that."

"I can help you." Beside me Anna nudges me with her arm.

"I'm really bad," I admit, glancing up.

Her smile is radiant, and her teeth are as white as snow. God she's beautiful. "You should do it. It will be fun. Right Pat?"

"Oh, I'm sitting on the sidelines taking pictures."

Aside from Pat's love for writing, he's obsessed with photography. He takes beautiful shots. I wish I was as talented as him.

"I got your back," Anna says, putting an arm around me.

I gasp as her fingers glide along the skin of my upper arm. "Okay," I choke out. "I'll be there."

She happily unhooks her arm, smiling like she's just won the lottery. I suck in a breath and look over at Patrick. My eyes sting. Patrick places his hand on my leg and holds on tight.

***

After dinner while Anna goes upstairs I sit on the large wrap around porch that encompasses the whole beach house. The wooden boards are sandy and it makes my skin itch a little, but I need some fresh air.

"Hey."

Patrick sits down beside me.

"Hey," I echo.

"You okay?" he asks.

"I don't know. My heart hurts so bad, but then when she looks at me it's like I feel myself almost opening up again."

"That's a good thing, Kat."

I shake my head. "It's too soon, Pat."

"I love how our names rhyme," he says, a smirk causing a small dimple to form on the right side of his cheek.

I laugh, because he's right, it is funny. He wraps his arm around me, tucking me into his arms. It feels safe, like home. His arms always have.

"I'm here for you, always," he says. "I just want you to have fun."

"I know. I'm so grateful for your company and for this awesome vacation, but I can't help the sorrow that fills me every time I close my eyes."

"You'll be okay. You'll always have me."

He's right. Although, I wish he'd stop promising that. People come and go and there's nothing any of us can do about it.

***

I wake in sweat and cry out loud. A warm arm reaches out and pulls me in. I glance down and through the moonlight catch a glimpse of black nail polished fingers rubbing my arm. The small room around me is unfamiliar and my heart thuds loudly in my chest.

"You've been screaming for ten minutes," she says, her voice calm and soothing.

I stare at the large window on the other side of the room. The white lace curtains are slightly open and from here I can sort of see the ocean waves stirring around in the darkness.

"I'm sorry. I don't normally have nightmares, but this breakup has thrown me for a loop."

"When my last girlfriend broke up with me I was devastated. I didn't come out of my room for over a month. I lost my job, and fell into a deep depression."

I can't imagine Anna sad. The girl who bounced into this room didn't seem like she ever cried a day in her life. But that's a silly assumption, because even the happiest people can be depressed.

"That's awful. Are you okay now?"

She holds me a little tighter. "It's been a year. I think I'm good. Just looking to move on."

The way she says it makes me shiver.

"I'm sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable by holding you?"

I shake my head. "No, it's comforting actually." Admitting it makes my pulse jump.

"Let me know if I cross any boundaries. I tend to just do things without asking."

"No. This feels nice."

She grips me tighter and scoots closer, her chest presses up against my back. Her fingers continue to rub along my arm. This feels better than anything I've ever felt before. There's no way someone can be attracted to someone only hours or minutes after meeting. That's a lie the movies try to tell you to get your hopes up.

"I'm glad. It feels nice for me too." she whispers.

It's my turn to hold on tight to her. I like the way it feels. Maybe that's just my heart looking for comfort after a break up. Her breathing slows and mine soon follows. She doesn't let go, not for the whole night. I'm not sure what comes over me, but I actually like it.