The idea of spending an afternoon with not only Noah, but basically the whole town, was a bad idea—I knew that. But I was tired of my own company and craved human contact. I had been alone, without even talking on the phone, for a month. When I first arrived, I wanted the quiet solace; now I couldn’t stand it. So here I was, freshly showered, hair pulled back in a barrette, and wearing a yellow sundress. It was my first outing in Shimmer Lake and I felt the need to look good. I wasn’t the only one trying to make a good impression. Noah came out of his house carrying a small cooler strapped over his shoulder and a blanket tucked under an arm. He was wearing a navy-blue polo shirt and khaki shorts. His hair looked damp from his shower and was brushed haphazardly. His shirt enhanced the color of his vivid blue eyes. When he walked toward me I caught a whiff of his cologne. He smiled as he opened his car door, showing dimples. “Are you coming or not?” He sat in the driver’s seat, leaning toward the passenger side window.
