As the hot July days slowly slid into August, Logan was with Cassie every second he wasn’t working. In her car, at the lake, in the restaurant parking lot after work. It was like he was trying to make up for years of no kissing in a matter of weeks.

He didn’t know what she told her parents. Maybe they didn’t even notice when she wasn’t home. He’d avoided his aunt’s questions more than a few times, telling her he was hanging out with friends. It wasn’t technically a lie, but she’d still purse her lips and narrow her eyes. If she asked him outright if he was with Cassie, he told himself he wouldn’t lie. But his aunt never asked. So…

They sent messages back and forth like breathing.

So this hammerhead thing you have, she sent one day when he was cleaning houses. It was a constant stream of connection. The longest they ever went without messaging when they weren’t together or sleeping was probably five minutes tops. Hideki had tried to institute a no phone rule during their video game sessions, but it hadn’t lasted more than a night.

What about it? Logan was still embarrassed he’d told her about it. It was one thing to like a random artist, but sharks weren’t cool. Were they?

Have you ever seen one in real life? she asked

I haven’t even seen a fish other than what’s in the lake, he admitted.

What?? How is that possible??

Now he was really embarrassed.

No aquariums in Helena. He sent a shrugging emoji along with it; it wasn’t his fault their town was too small for anything bigger than a petting zoo.

A few minutes went by before she sent another message.

Where can you even see hammerheads in the wild?

Costa Rica, came his immediate reply.

He didn’t even have to look it up. While his mind and money were all focused on New York, when he’d started pulling in bigger tips from bartending, he’d let himself dream a little bit about what else he might be able to do. There were so many places he’d like to see, and sharks in Costa Rica were top of the list. He’d never have enough; school would eat into all of it he was sure, but that’s where his mind would drift off to as he scrubbed toilets. A beach somewhere where the water was actually warm.

If we go, will you tell me all about hammerheads and their mating dance?

Now when he daydreamed of sandy beaches, Cassie was right there beside him.

One night they were in her bedroom, curled up on the bed. It was raining hard outside, or they’d have been at their usual spot at the lake. It was extremely cozy and comfortable, but Logan couldn’t relax.

They were so close, every single part of their bodies that were touching sent little shivers of electricity through him. The fruity smell of her shampoo was invading his senses, making it impossible to concentrate on anything. He didn't even know what movie they were watching. Something action, not romantic, so she wouldn't think he had any grand plans for her. He was still getting used to the idea that he was allowed to kiss her anytime he wanted.

Well, not anytime. The only reason they were at her house tonight was because Cassie’s parents and sister were out and she’d pretended to be sick to stay home. He knew it was rare for her parents and sister to all be together at the lake house, so he was surprised and thrilled that she’d wanted to spend the time with him instead. Still…

"I don't like sneaking around," he said. His gut was shouting at him, telling him to just shut up and enjoy what he had. The past month had more than he could ever have hoped for. BSE did not even begin to describe it.

"It'll be fine once we're in New York." She snuggled against him, and his chest tightened. She sounded so sure of herself when she talked about the future. It was easy for her, knowing what to expect. As excited as he was, the thought of leaving everything he knew still freaked him out more than he wanted to admit.

But having Cassie there would make it feel more like home. He reached down to place a kiss on her head, and she turned her face up to him. A deeper kiss started, his arms curving around her back, the feel of her skin hot beneath his hands. The tiny tank top she was wearing suddenly took up an enormous amount of his attention, and he tried to make sure his hands only ventured where there was fabric. He didn't dare attempt anything else but she shifted beneath him and when he ran his hand down her arm she let out a soft sigh that made his heart beat ten times faster.

Maybe tonight he would slide his hand a little higher. Maybe tonight they would—

"Cassie! Where are you?"

They broke apart, their ragged breaths hot on each other’s face as her wide eyes stared into Logan's.

"Hide!" she hissed, and he rolled off the bed in a move worthy of the spy film they were watching. He scooted underneath the bed, her panicked face peering down at him. Even over the beating of his heart he noticed her lips were still red from kissing. 

So beautiful.

She smiled and he flushed; he hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

Safely under the bed, hidden from her family and his own embarrassment, Cassie arranged the covers so they hung over the side. It was dark, but he was safe.

"What are you watching?" A girl's muffled voice reached Logan's ears. 

"Nothing, Di. What's up? I thought you were all out to eat.”

She sounded so calm, so natural. Hideki needed to learn her secrets. 

“Well we’re back. Mom and Dad want to talk to you."

"About what?"

“I’ll let them explain.”

Logan worried the intense pounding of his heart would give him away. There was no way they couldn’t hear it.

"Is he finally going to explain this whole sexual harassment thing?"

Di sighed.

"That’s not really what it is.”

Cassie snorted.

“It’s a wrongful termination suit and he's taking care of it. That's what he wants to talk to you about. You might need to give testimony."

"What? Why?" Her calm veneer cracked and she sounded panicked.

"You were on work sites with him this summer. You can tell them he treats his employees with respect."

The ice cold silence seeped under the bed and trickled down Logan's spine.

"But just because Dad didn't do anything while I was there doesn't mean—”

"You really think he's like that? That he's horrible to his employees?" Her sister raised her voice to an angry yell that had Logan sweating and cowering in his hiding spot. Cassie had mentioned she was in law school but he hadn’t pictured someone quite so intimidating. And he couldn’t even see her!

"I don't know,” Cassie answered, her voice low.

Di clicked her tongue and sighed again.

"He's your dad, Cass. After everything he's done for you, you have to help him."

There was a pause, and the bed sank down above Logan’s head as Cassie sat down.

“Speaking of helping…How did the Huntingtons help him?”

“What do you mean?”

“The night Spencer and I broke up, he said we should be grateful to his family…when I asked Dad what it meant he said it was just business contacts."

What was that about? She’d never mentioned that to Logan, but they didn’t really talk about Spencer. Logan held his breath, not wanting to miss a single word.

"Why?"

"If I'm going to lie for him, I want to know everything."

"It's not lying, Cass. Did you see him do anything inappropriate this summer? Or ever?"

There was a pause. She must have shaken her head.

"See? You know this whole suit is a bunch of crap. I see it all the time in case studies for school. People trying to game the system, make the most they can from employers."

Spoken like someone who’d never had to work a day in her life. She could leave law school tomorrow and live well the rest of her life. Logan bit down on his tongue to keep an annoyed growl from escaping his lips.

"What did the Huntingtons do?" Cassie’s voice was stronger now.

"They just introduced him to some lawyers. Good ones. And kept a lot of stuff out of the papers. His business was suffering a lot earlier this year."

“Because of the suit?”

Another pause.

“And other things. With Mom and everything.”

“She’s here tonight.”

“She made up her mind to stick with him.”

Cassie sucked in a breath. She’d never mentioned any of this to Logan. He let out a shaky breath, as quietly as possible. All they’d done for weeks was make out and dream about New York. Her mom, the Huntingtons…what else had she avoided talking about with him?

“So? Will you help him?” Diana pressed her.

There was another pause. Logan shifted underneath the bed, his heart racing.

"I'll think about it,” was all Cassie said.