Operation Prom Date (Tactics in Flirting, #1)(25)

Sputtered laughter came out, and when I scowled at him, he slowly stood and turned to face me, his hands up in surrender. “You’re right. I’ve been a jerk face today.”

I crossed my arms. “You’ll get no argument from me.”

He took a step and the boat wobbled. “I’m sorry. I was in a bad mood.”

“Well, don’t take it out on me.”

Cooper glanced at the ducks. “Do you ship them?”

“Not that I have to, because they’re clearly already in love, but yes. I hope they have a very happy duck life and have lots of beautiful duck children.”

“I think the word you’re searching for is ducklings, because children are a human thing. Duck children sounds like a mutant science experiment gone wrong.”

“Ugh, you drive me crazy!” I shoved him, and he barely caught his balance.

“I just thought a math girl would be more into facts, is all.”

I moved to shove him again, and he caught my arm. The boat rocked, and I fell into Cooper, my hands braced against his chest. Despite trying not to think about it, my hands noticed how firm it was. I also caught a whiff of woodsy cologne, and there was something intoxicating about the way it mixed in with the fresh air and water scent.

“Careful,” Cooper warned, his deep voice vibrating against my palms. “You’re about to send us both into the water.”

“I don’t want to be careful.” I straightened. “I love the lake, and I want to enjoy my time out here. I’m glad you love rowing and all, but sometimes you’ve got to slow down for a moment and appreciate it.” I squatted next to the side, curving my hands around the edge of the wooden boat, and peered into the water. Underneath the surface, a couple of fish darted back and forth. “There’s an entire life under there and you’re missing it.”

Cooper knelt next to me, his thigh pressed against mine, and warmth wound through me. “I get what you’re saying,” he said. “No more being so serious.”

“Seriously.” In one fluid motion, I scooped up a handful of water and launched it at him.

His jaw dropped. He blinked at me through wet lashes, and then he lunged. With a squeal, I scrambled backward, attempting to flee—I’m not sure where, but I suppose there was something to be said for trying.

Unfortunately Cooper was too fast. He launched a spray of water at me and all I could do was throw my hands in front of me to try to block another attack. The boat rocked as I attempted to stand, and I flung out my arms, trying to brace myself on something.

Strong hands caught me around the waist. I gripped Cooper’s wrists, clinging on for dear life. The rocking of the boat calmed, but I couldn’t say the same for my heart rate. Instead of coming back down, it tripped over its beats, each one faster than the next.

The weirdo attraction vibes caught me off guard and overwhelmed me, so I did the only thing I could think of. I rocked the boat again, trying to get the teasing vibe back. Only I overdid it, my attempt to turn the tides apparently endowing me with super strength.

I bumped into him, and he tipped, his hands flailing now. “I’m sorry, I—”

He reached out and caught hold of my wrist, and then we both went tumbling over the side, into the icy cold water.





Chapter Fifteen


Cooper


I broke the surface with a gasp, the jolt from the cold water like a hundred volts of electricity being fired into my body.

Kate bobbed up a second later. “Oh my gosh, it’s cold!”

“Hey, you’re the one who decided to throw me into the water.”

A shiver wracked her body. “I meant to make you almost fall, not actually fall. And I like how you took me with you.”

“I just figured you’d want to follow your own advice about enjoying the water.”

She splashed water at me. “Oh, sure. Now you listen to me.”

I slapped the surface of the water with my palm out, sending a spray at her. We laughed, and then we fired at will, stream after stream. Some crashed in the middle, and some hit their target.

Little by little, my body got used to the cold water. Or maybe it grew numb, but either way, it wasn’t so bad anymore.

Kate ran her hands through her hair, slicking it back away from her face. “Okay, let’s see who can spin all the way around and come back up faster. Ready…? Go!”

I dove under the surface, tucking and spinning, and kicked for all I was worth.

She was already up and waiting. “You lose.” She added a victory dance, doing some kind of chicken thing with her arms as she made an oot-oot taunting noise.

“And you wonder why I get so serious about winning. Where’s my ‘good try; you’ll get ’em next time’?”

“Good try, sport, but you had your ass handed to you.” She giggled, apparently thinking she was hilarious. And okay, she kinda was.

“Fine. Let’s see who can hold their breath longer.” I lifted my fingers toward my nose to plug it.

“No way.” Kate shook her head. “In, like, every movie where they do that, the other dude doesn’t come up, and then the person is left swimming alone, calling their name in a panic.”

“You’ve seen too many movies,” I said.

“Go ahead and hold your breath, then. If the sea monster gets you while you’re down there, just know that I’m not coming after you.”