Windsor's POV
Laughter bubbled between us before we even left the cabin doorway.
When we finally made it to the lake, the sun hung bright overhead, painting everything in golden light. The breathtaking scenery worked its magic again, washing away the frustration that Evelyn had stirred up in me.
Students had already claimed their spots around the water. Voices mixed together in cheerful chaos. Some had changed into swimwear, others sprawled across towels or wandered the pebbled shoreline with bare feet.
"Go ahead and swim if you feel like it," I offered.
Pauline dropped down next to me on the sloped rocks instead. "I'd rather stay dry. I want to hang out with you."
We let silence settle between us, peaceful and easy. The gentle lapping of water against stone created the perfect soundtrack.
"Feeling better now?" I asked eventually, noticing she still looked tired sometimes. The stress had been written all over her face lately.
