“A huge part of swimming for me is I love it, and it is so much fun.”

“He settled in beside me, and I curled into him. Cocooned in Wes. God, it felt so good. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ve never felt so amazing.”“I wanted you in my life from the beginning, Mal. Any way I could have you.” He snuggled me closer. “Even if it meant just as friends.”I couldn’t help snorting. “Thank God that’s not the case.”He chuckled and gave me a squeeze. “Amen, my friend.”

“Help you? I’d lick you, and most girls would want to marry you if you so much as talked to them.”

“Didn’t I tell you that you would be safe as long as you were with me?”“Yes, but I didn’t believe you when you pushed me off the edge of a building.”

“I feel alive when you kiss me.”

“Remember how it felt yesterday? What you saw me do?” I snorted and grinned. “Man, do I ever. I remembered twice last night and again this morning.”

“So the floodgates open, but nothing comes out. I’m feeling no relief in my head, just doubt. But my heart keeps telling me, 'hold your ground. You’ll never learn a thing if you bail out now.”