It was definitely her.
Long dark curls were flying out behind her, and her cheeks were bright from the exercise. She was panting by the time she reached him, and there was a light layer of sweat on her brow, which made her curls spring even tighter.
“Via, what are you—”
But the rest of his words were cut off as she stepped right up to him and slid her arms around his waist. Heat burned his skin as she stood up on her toes and found his mouth. Her lips were soft as her body pressed against him. Then she stepped away, and her hands dropped from his waist.
“I’m sorry to kiss you first without apologizing, but I was too scared I wouldn’t find the words quickly enough. I thought I’d better present my strongest argument first.”
It was hard to think with her scent still lingering. Which was a problem, because none of this was making sense. He peered at the campers who were milling around, eyes curious.
“You don’t need to apologize for kissing me. Not ever. But I don’t understand, Via. There are people. Everywhere. Aren’t you freaking out?”
“No.” She shook her head, then lifted her hand up in the air. It was shaking. “Okay. Yes, I am, but I have a theory.” She looked around and seemed to notice how close they were to his parents. “Could we talk? It won’t take long. I know you have to go.”
He glanced at his folks. They’d kept him waiting all summer. They owed him ten minutes. As if reading his mind, his dad gave a slight nod and Hudson turned back to Via.
“Where do you want to go?”
“The bench is fine,” she said, glancing to a wooden seat overlooking the water. He followed her, still limping. Her arm brushed his, and it took all of his willpower not to hold her hand. He eased himself onto the seat. Via sat down, her knees pointing toward him, and she was leaning forward.
Like she wanted to be closer.
“So, what’s this theory?”
She bowed her head. “When the panic attack came, I couldn’t get past it. I didn’t know how I could get through school like that…every single day. But I had no proof it would actually happen. The data was inconclusive.”
“False premise,” he said as understanding hit him. It meant she wanted to risk being with him, to see if there was a different result. “Do you think it will work?”
She swallowed and caught his eyes. “It’s working so far.”
“I still don’t get how you suddenly realized this.”
“Zac couldn’t understand why I kept letting myself be ruled by six-year-old me, trapped on the stage. I started explaining how neural pathways worked, but then it hit me, he was right,” she said as her voice broke. “Hudson, I’m so sorry I hurt you. Again. You didn’t deserve that. But…if you want to—”
“Oh, I want to.” He reached for her hand. It was smaller than his and had smudges of dirt from climbing the tree. His chest pounded. “I meant what I said. Whatever way you want to do things is fine by me.”
“I want to do things right.” She inched toward him until her leg was pressed against his. Her lips brushed his mouth, and fireworks exploded in his mind. “I will get better at being out in public.”
“Just be you, Via.” He kissed her again and she let out a soft moan and her arms slid around his waist. He pressed his brow to hers. “Thank you.”
“I should be saying that,” she said, her voice breathy. “You’ve been the best. When I think of how I’ve behaved.”
“That’s what makes you Via Mackenzie. The last two years…they kind of sucked. I’ve been on my own a lot. I don’t feel like that now.”
“You’re not alone,” she said as a shadow fell over them. She let out a long groan as her brother appeared. “Actually, when you date a twin, you’re really never alone. What do you want, Zac?”
“Just to offer my congratulations. I was rooting for you, Hudson.” Zac grinned and sat down next to him. “And now we’re almost related, we need to talk about rowing. That was some show on the lake the other day. We could use you on the squad.”
Via growled. “This really isn’t a good time.”
He blinked and gave them both a rueful smile. “Oh, right. More kissing. Don’t let me stop you. And Hudson, it goes without saying, if you mess with my sister—”
“She can take care of herself and fight her own battles?” Hudson said.
“You better believe it.” Zac swooped in and messed up Via’s hair. Then he jogged away, leaving them alone once again. They turned to each other and burst out laughing.
“Like I said, you won’t just be getting me. You’ll be getting my brother,” she said before frowning. “What did you mean about me fighting my own battles?”
“After the science fair I thought Zac was going to beat me up, but he told me you could take care of yourself.”
“He can be pretty smart when he wants to be.” Her eyes glistened, but she wiped the tears away. “I hate I ruined the other night for you.”
“Turns out today’s even better.” Hudson reached for her hand and caught it in his. It was smooth and warm and right. His phone buzzed with a text, quickly followed by another one. He sighed. “I’m being summoned.”
“I’m going to miss you so much.” She leaned forward and her mouth found his. Electricity filled him and he deepened the kiss. She let out a soft sigh and finally pulled away. “But I’m happy they’re here. You need to talk. Tell them how you really feel.”
“I’ve been getting some good practice lately,” he said, still holding her hands. “You’ll be back in Cricket Bay in six days.”
“Don’t rub it in.” She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Six days stuck at Camp Doom while you’re back in the real world? Say hello to coffee from me.”
“Will do.”
She gave him a shy
