A huge shoutout to @Orimasoa2000 and @fashionista90 who added 'Summer I met You' to their reading lists.

Hope you enjoyed Aiden's POV in the last chapter. We'll have some more of him in this chapter. (And probably in most of the other chapters as well)

*Aiden's POV*

I wake up at the crack of dawn, feeling too groggy and disoriented. I barely slept last night, tossing and turning in the cramped bed with everything else on my mind.

I see Kate on the opposite bed, still asleep. Her chest rises and falls in a slow, steady rhythm, her face relaxed and peaceful. A few strands of her hair have fallen across her forehead, and I feel an unexpected desire to brush them away.

I shouldn't be feeling this way. I can't let this fake relationship mess with my head. I've already kissed her twice. Once by surprise and once willingly. Last night seemed particularly real. I hate myself for giving her hope. I hate that I'm letting myself fall for her.

Damn it, Aiden, get a grip. This is exactly what you were trying to avoid.

I blame myself for crossing that line. This was supposed to be simple, but here I am, watching her sleep, longing to reach out, longing to touch her.

Frustrated, I throw off the covers and sit up. I need to clear my head, to remind myself of why I don't do relationships. It's too messy, too risky. I can't afford to get attached. Getting anchored.

I check the agenda for the morning, a basic lifesaving course. Perfect. Maybe some physical activity will help me shake off these unwanted feelings.

I quickly toss on a pair of swim shorts, hoping to escape before she wakes up.

Before I can reach the door, I hear her stir behind me. I turn back to see her woken up, stretching sleepily. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her, and I force myself to look away.

*Kate's POV*

I wake up to the sound of movement and see Aiden standing by the door, dressed in nothing but a pair of swim shorts.

His perfect six-pack flexes with every movement he makes, drawing my gaze irresistibly. His skin is well tanned from the sun, adding perfection to the well-carved muscles that make him look like he stepped out of a fitness magazine. I could definitely get used to seeing this every morning.

I tear my eyes away, reluctantly. 'Morning,' I say, my voice a little husky from sleep and the perfect model standing in front of me. 'You're up early.'

'Yeah, figured I'd get a head start. We've got that life saving course today, remember?'

'Right. Give me a minute to get ready.'

***

*Kate's POV*

The morning air is crisp and refreshing. The instructor, a cheerful woman named Megan, greets us with a bright smile.

'Good morning, campers! Let's start with some basic lifesaving skills.'

She starts demonstrating different techniques for water rescues and CPR. I hardly pay attention. Growing up in a beach town, water is second nature to me. Water rescue? Bullsh*t.

Aiden stands beside me, and every so often, our arms brush against each other, making me crave him. He's super distracting this morning, especially without his shirt on.

'Alright, everyone, get in the water slowly,' Megan finally calls out, trying to persuade a bunch of girls who are refusing to get in the water because they're convinced there might be sharks lurking.

I swim away from the group in smooth strokes, enjoying the cool water. Inwardly snickering at the girls and their drama.

But I realize too late that it's not just my swimming; the current is pulling me away.

Just as I start to turn back, my foot slips on a slick rock, and a blinding pain shoots through my ankle. I struggle to keep my head above water, kicking desperately with one leg, trying to ignore the pain from my grazed ankle.

Gods, how can a rock be so smooth and slippery and yet so jagged and sharp at the same time?

Is this how it ends? Lashing helplessly, dragged down by a force I can't fight? Do I see flashes of my past regrets? Of everything I'll miss out on?

No, instead of my life flashing by like in those stupid death stories, I curse myself for coming here. For thinking I could handle this. What was I even thinking?

At least the other girls had the brains to avoid swimming in unknown parts of the sea.

'Aiden,' I whisper before I blackout. If these are my last words, at least they're not wasted. I wish I could see him one last time before I lose consciousness.

*Aiden's POV*

I see her too late. What the f*ck was she thinking, swimming out so far? I can't believe the sh*t this girl gets into. My heart's pounding in my chest, if I don't get to her, she'll die, and I'm gonna lose my mind.

She's barely keeping her head above water. No way in hell am I letting her drown. I reach her within seconds, attempting my best breaststroke.

I grab her around the waist, pulling her close, fighting against the current. Her body feels limp in my arms, her eyes closing, and I realize that she's passed out.

F*ck this water, f*ck these rocks, f*ck everything.

'Hold on, Kate! I've got you!' I shout, knowing how useless it is. I swear, if I get her out of this, I'm never letting her out of my sight again.

Kicking harder, I push against the current, dragging her toward the shore. She feels heavier than I expected, weighing down my arms, but I can't give up on her. Not now. Not ever.

With much effort, I haul her onto the shore, collapsing beside her. She's coughing and sputtering, but she's alive. F*cking hell, she's alive.

'You're okay,' I gasp, trying to catch my breath. 'We're okay.'

'Don't you dare scare me like that again,' I wheeze, my voice higher than usual. 'You hear me? Don't you f*cking dare.'

Until then, I hadn't realized how scared I was.

I shake my head, trying to steady my breathing. 'No more f*cking around in the water, okay? I can't-' I break off, my voice choking with everything I can't say.

Megan, the instructor, is already running towards us, her face pale.

'Everyone, back up!' I shout, not giving a sh*t about their curiosity. 'Give her some space!'

Ignoring their whispers and worried glances, I scoop Kate up in my arms and make my way towards the nurse's office.

Megan reaches us, her eyes wide with concern. 'Is she okay?'

'She will be,' I snap, more harshly than I intended. 'Just get out of the way.'

Kate's eyes flutter open briefly, and she tries to say something, but I hush her. 'Don't talk. Save your strength.' Her head rests against my chest, and for a moment, I feel a strange sense of calm, as if she's trying to comfort me.

Thankfully, the nurse's office is not far. I kick the door open with my foot and stride in, calling out for help. The camp nurse, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, rushes over, her composure breaking down when she sees the girl in my arms.

'Lay her here,' she instructs, pointing to an examination bed.

I gently place Kate down, stepping back to give the nurse space to work. My hands are shaking, and I clench them into fists to stop the tremors.

'What happened?' the nurse asks, checking Kate's breathing.

'She slipped and hurt her ankle,' I manage to say, my voice sounding hollow. 'The current pulled her under.'

The nurse nods, her hands moving swiftly, examining Kate's ankle. 'It's sprained, but not broken. She'll need to rest it for a few days.'

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Kate's eyes open again, and she looks at me with confusion and something else I can't quite place. I reach out and squeeze her hand, needing the contact to ground myself.

'Thank you, Aiden,' she whispers, her voice weak.

I swallow hard, nodding. 'Just rest, okay? No more scaring me like that.'

She's smiling to herself, likely gloating over the fact that she made the infamous Aiden lose his cool.

She never ceases to surprise me.

*Kate's POV*

The nurse steps back to the office to grab something, leaving us alone. Aiden's eyes meet mine, and I lean in, my lips brushing against his cheek in a soft kiss, saying thank you. I pause, hoping for more.

But he pulls back, his expression conflicted and suddenly distant. 'Kate, we can't.'

The words sting worse than the gash in my ankle. 'Why not?' I ask, my voice trembling.

'Because this isn't real. We agreed—no actual feelings.' He steps back, putting physical distance between us. 'We can't get involved.'

I reach out, desperate, pulling him closer. 'Please, Aiden. Just one kiss. Let me believe, even if it's just for a moment.'

He hesitates, his eyes searching mine. Then he shakes his head, his jaw tight. 'No, Kate. I can't. I won't.'

The nurse returns, bustling back into the room, breaking the tension. Aiden mumbles an excuse and leaves, his back rigid.

I grip the edge of the bed, trying to keep myself from falling apart. The pain in my ankle is nothing compared to the ache in my heart as I watch him walk away.

Right. We're fake.

**

A/N

I'm so tired of swearing along with Aiden on this one.

Don't forget to take a second to comment and vote if you're enjoying the story so far.

Quick question, how should Kate react to Aiden's distance? Why is Aiden so intent on creating distance between them even though he wants her?