Free 10 Weeks by Jolene Perry

’s story is.
    “Oh.” I’m apparently incapable of actually speaking.
    “Well, I’ve got to head back. Make sure we have enough of the cheap stuff to last for the rest of the week.” He winks. “ And I stocked up on that cherry- flavored stuff you like.”
    “Thanks.”
    Liam . Right in this moment I wish I were Kay-Kay or Sam so that next time we ended up the Little Minnow, I could do something with the way I feel about him. Even if it didn’t go anywhere, it might be nice to not be afraid. And I am definitely curious as to what brought that guy from Ireland to backwoods Wisconsin.
    Chapter Fifteen
    The heat has officially taken over. We’re all going to be in the water today.
    “Okay.” I shout, my hands on my hips , in front of a line full of girls . “If I can pull your suit off by tugging a string, turn around, go back to your bunk, and change. I don’t want an eyeful.” We have Kay-Kay for that. I don’t think she own s anything I’d call a swimsuit. My bras and panties cover more than her suits.
    And Sam … Just because her body is perfect, doesn’t mean we always need to see it. Even I stare at her, and I don’t swing that way. She doesn’t do “lakes” and is in a lounge chair with a whistle to help her look official in her silver bikini.
    A few groans and at least a fourth of the girls turn in their miniature swimsuits to head back to their bunks.
    At twenty-one I can’t imagine wearing something like that. How are these girls so sure of themselves so young? It kills me. I thought I was going a little crazy today wearing a blue sporty two-piece with boy shorts, but I still feel completely exposed.
    “For the rest of you. This is free swim . It’s too hot for me to care about any lessons .” I wave at them dismissively , knowing I just made their day.
    Squeals are followed by splashes, and total chaos. As much as I love the structured activities, I remember this being one of my favorite parts about going to the camp I grew up at.
    “Jody?”
    Holy Irish lilt. I cannot do this right now. In a bathing suit.
    I rub my hand over my face once like it’ll somehow hide my reddening cheeks and spin around on the dock , feeling completely exposed.
    He pauses and his eyes widen slowly as they float down my body. He’s not obnoxious about it, but he’s not hiding the way he looks at me either. I snatch my towel and tie it quickly around my waist before walking up the dock.
    “I’m on lifeguard duty right now.” Pathetic. This is what I come up with? The whistle around my neck was probably a dead giveaway.
    “I see.” The smile on his face strips another layer from me, and I’m suddenly itching to get away.
    “What are you doing out here?” I fold my hands, only now I do look like I’m fourteen and trying to hide—well, not the fourteen- year olds here who are openly gawking at the hottie in skinny jeans and chucks on the dock. I drop my arms from my waist, but there are no pockets in a towel , and I still don’t know what to do.
    Guys don’t do this to me…
    “Bill fixed a wooden jewelry box of Irene’s. I offered to drop it off.” He shrugs, which is such a relaxed gesture, but his eyes don’t waver from mine. It’s way more intensity than I’m used to. Or maybe I was just settled into Jeff.
    “Oh.”
    “Glad I ran into you, though . Maybe you could take me swimming sometime without all the little helpers.” He winks.
    I swear my body half explodes with this bit of information until reality sets in. He has to be messing with me. I could pick out more than half the counselors here as better matched to his hotness. I’m stuck in cute territory, which is fine, but he definitely needs more than cute.
    “Yeah. Huh. Well, I’m at work now . I’m sure I’ll see you around . ” I want to walk away, but can’t bring myself to do it.
    “A l l right. Cheers. ” His eyes linger on mine for a moment longer before he turns around.
    I watch his ass.
    I am not an ass-watching