𝙀𝙔𝙀𝙎 𝘿𝙊𝙉'𝙏 𝙇𝙄𝙀 - ᶜᵃʳˡᵒˢ ˢᵃⁱⁿᶻ ʲʳ

⁰⁰⁸

The loud, unexpected call of her name made her jump. She turned back to see Carlos smirking at her from the pool's edge. He rested his arms against the tiles, water dripping from his shoulders. "You good over there?"

Flavy nearly choked on her drink trying to contain her laughter.

Sydney, feeling trapped under his amused gaze, forced a casual shrug. "Yeah, why?"

Carlos chuckled, tapping the water. "Because you looked a little... distracted."

Esteban, who had been silently witnessing the interaction, raised an eyebrow at Carlos before glancing at Sydney. "You should join us," he suggested with a grin.

"Oh, I don't think Sydney wants to get wet," flavy added

Jasmine whisper. "She's already wet"

Sydney whisper to her sister back her. "Jasmine!"

"Sydney, come on! Stop acting like you don't want to," Flavy called out as she stood up, adjusting her swimsuit. With a knowing smirk, she tossed her towel onto her lounger and strutted toward the pool, where Esteban was waiting with open arms.

Sydney sighed, running a hand through her hair. Jasmine was already grinning like she had won some kind of bet. "What?" Sydney huffed.

"You're going," Jasmine said simply, crossing her arms.

Sydney shook her head. "No, I'm not."

"Oh, yes, you are." Jasmine stood up, grabbing Sydney's hand and pulling her. Sydney resisted, but between her sister's persistence and Flavy's expectant gaze, she knew she was outnumbered.

. "Need help carrying her in?" Carlos offered casually, directing the question to Jasmine.

Sydney turned to him with a warning glare. "Don't even think about it."

Carlos simply smirked. "I didn't say anything."

Flavy had already reached Esteban, wrapping her arms around his wet shoulders as he pulled her into the pool with him. She giggled as the cool water surrounded them, leaning in for a soft kiss before splashing him playfully. Sydney rolled her eyes at how effortlessly they looked like a picture-perfect couple.

With a resigned sigh, she finally stood up. "Fine! I'm going."

Jasmine clapped her hands in triumph. "Knew you would."

Sydney ignored her and walked toward the pool, dipping a toe in first. The water was refreshingly cool against her skin. Just as she was about to ease herself in gracefully, a wave of water splashed over her legs.

She gasped, stepping back. "Oh my God! Who did that?!"

Esteban was laughing, hands raised in fake innocence. "Not me," he said, grinning.

Sydney narrowed her eyes, but before she could react, another splash hit her-this time coming directly from Carlos.

Her head whipped toward him, eyes wide. He had that damn smirk again.

"Oh, you're so dead, Sainz," she muttered before stepping into the water.

Carlos laughed, backing up slightly as Sydney waded in. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, but the mischievous glint in his eyes told her otherwise.

"You look tense," Carlos observed, leaning back in the water.

Sydney shot him a side-eye. "I wonder why."

Carlos smirked, then, without warning, he sent another small splash her way.

Sydney gasped, wiping the water off her face. "Okay, that's it-war," she declared before splashing him back with full force.