Jenn's phone buzzed softly against the nightstand.
She reached for it, still drowsy from sleep, and smiled faintly when she saw the name.
Alden.
"Hey," she said, voice soft.
"Hey," he replied, his tone steady but carrying that familiar edge. "How's your aunt's place?"
"It's nice," she answered. "Quiet. Peaceful. I needed this." She stood up.
"I can tell," Alden said after a short pause. "You sound… different."
"Good different?"
He hesitated. "Yeah. Good different."
She smiled faintly, unaware that Jeff had just stepped out of the bathroom. His hair was still damp, a towel slung loosely around his shoulders. He walked up behind her, his presence warm and quiet.
Jenn turned slightly, startled, just as Jeff's arm slipped gently around her waist.
"Who's that?" he murmured near her ear, his breath brushing against her skin.
Jenn's voice faltered. "Alden."
Jeff's lips curved in a small, knowing smile. "Ah." He pressed a soft kiss to her neck before whispering.
Jenn's cheeks flushed, and she ended the call quickly. "Jeff," she muttered, turning to face him.
"What?" he asked with mock innocence, still smiling. "Just being polite."
She laughed despite herself, swatting at his chest. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he said, kissing the side of her head, "but you like it."
Jenn rolled her eyes. "Come on, Let's go fishing."
Jeff raised a brow. "Fishing? You're serious?"
"Completely. It's tradition," she said, tugging his hand.
They headed downstairs, finding Aunt Linda arranging flowers in a small vase near the window.
"Morning, Aunt," Jenn greeted, her voice bright.
Linda smiled warmly. "Good morning, sweetheart. And good morning, Jeff."
"Morning, ma'am," Jeff replied politely.
Jenn explained, "We're going down to the lake to fish for a while."
Linda chuckled softly. "Be careful, dear. And don't stress the poor boy—he doesn't look like someone who's held a fishing rod before."
Jeff grinned sheepishly. "You're not wrong, ma'am. But I'll learn."
"That's the spirit," Linda said, winking. "You two have fun."
After the line went dead,Alden exhaled — slow and heavy. The silence in his room felt colder than usual.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Why do I even care this much? he thought, but the ache in his chest said enough.
A knock came on his door. "Yo, you up?"
It was Jovan, holding a helmet and that mischievous grin he always wore.
"Let's go," He said. "You need a distraction. Race track? , Jovi is waiting downstairs "
Alden sighed but stood anyway. "Fine."
Jenn laughter light as she teased Jeff about the way he held the fishing rod.
"You're supposed to relax," she said. "Not act like you're performing surgery."
Jeff laughed. "If I relax any more, I'll fall in."
"Then maybe that's what you need," she teased.
Moments later, his foot slipped on the wet plank of the small pier, and he stumbled — barely catching himself before falling. Jenn burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
"Oh my God, Jeff!"
He turned toward her, pretending to glare. "You think that's funny?"
"Very."
"Alright then," he said, grinning, and before she could react, he pulled off his shirt and dove into the water.
Jenn gasped. "Jeff!"
He resurfaced, laughing, his hair slicked back. "Come on! The water's perfect!"
"I'm not coming in!" she called back.
"Yes, you are," he said, eyes glinting mischievously. "Don't make me drag you in."
Jenn folded her arms. "You wouldn't dare."
Jeff raised a brow. "Try me."
She hesitated, biting her lip — then slowly began to unbutton her blouse. Jeff froze mid-laugh, his eyes widening slightly as she slipped out of her jeans, left only in her thin tank top and pant.
He didn't say a word — just smiled, amazed.
"Happy now?" she asked shyly.
"More than happy," he murmured.
Jenn giggled and jumped in, splashing him deliberately. "Now we're even!"
They played in the water — laughing, splashing, moving closer and closer until laughter gave way to silence.
Jenn's eyes found his, her heartbeat quickening. Slowly, she reached up, her hand brushing his cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Jeff's gaze softened. "For what?"
"For being patient with me. For not giving up on me… even when I don't make it easy."
He smiled gently. "I told you before — you're worth the wait, Jenn."
Her breath hitched. "You always know what to say."
"That's because I mean it."
For a long moment, neither moved. Then, like gravity, they leaned in — lips meeting, soft at first, then deeper, hungrier, water rippling around them as the world disappeared.
When Jeff finally pulled back, he pressed his forehead to hers, breath uneven. "Jenn… if this leads to it again—"
"Maybe now's the time," she whispered.
His eyes searched hers. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I just… want to know how it feels."
Jeff froze, studying her face. "Wait… how it feels?"
Jenn hesitated, her eyes dropping. "…I've never done it before."
"Jenn," he said softly, realization dawning. "You're a virgin?"
She nodded, barely audibly. "Yeah."
He stared at her for a long second, then smiled — gentle, warm, sincere. He brushed his thumb across her cheek.
"Then here's not the place for that," he said softly. "You deserve more than a lake and wet clothes. When it happens… I want it to be something beautiful — something you'll remember, every touch, every heartbeat."
Jenn blushed, smiling shyly. "You really know how to ruin a moment."
Jeff chuckled, kissing her forehead. "Maybe. But I'd rather ruin a moment than ruin you."
They both laughed quietly, holding each other close.
Just then, a familiar voice called from a distance.
"Jenn! You out here?"
Jenn turned toward the sound and groaned. "Maya!"
A girl stood at the bank, grinning wide.
"I thought that was you!" she said, hands on her hips.
Jenn sighed dramatically. "Privacy, please!"
Maya's laughter rang out from the shore. "You haven't changed one bit, Jenn!"
Jenn rolled her eyes, grinning. "And you still don't know when to knock!"
"Don't worry," Maya teased, hands on her hips. "I've seen worse. You two done making the sea jealous or should I come back later?"
Jenn splashed a wave of water at her. "Get out!"
Maya dodged, laughing. "Alright, alright! I'll meet you both inside. Don't take forever!"
"And you owe me details later!" she added.
Jeff shook his head, amused, as Maya turned away to give them space.
Jenn smiled, turning back to him. "That's Maya — my childhood friend. She's trouble."
When she was gone, Jenn sighed and turned to Jeff. Their laughter softened into something slower — a shared quiet that lingered between their breaths.
"Guess we should go before she brings the whole village," Jeff murmured.
Jenn nodded. "Yeah."
They climbed out of the water, droplets glistening on their skin as the breeze wrapped around them. Jeff watched as Jenn wrapped a towel around herself, her cheeks pink from the chill — or maybe from what almost happened.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly.
Jenn froze for a heartbeat, her lips parting in surprise. Then she smiled faintly. "You shouldn't say things like that when I already look like a drowned fish."
Jeff smirked. "A very attractive drowned fish."
She laughed and nudged him as they made their way back toward the house.