DEEP DIVE

Ryder Sparks promised herself she'd never swim again. But moving to Cannon Beach means she can't escape the water... or the boys who live in it. Caught between Austin, the swim captain who helps her remember how to breathe, and Jayme, the boy who sees her even when she's invisible to everyone else- Ryder must choose between the love that broke her... and the love that's slowly putting her back together.

But healing is never simple. And some waves are impossible to outrun.

***

"Yeah." I forced myself to look at him again. "Can I have my bracelet back now?"

He glanced at the bracelet, then at me.

"Hm." My pulse quickened. "Nah. I think I'll hold on to this for now."

I blinked. "You're kidding, right?"

"No. I'm not."

"Austin, come on."

The corners of his beautiful, full pink lips curved upward as he placed both hands on the table and leaned toward me. Too close. The air shifted. I instinctively leaned back slightly, my breath catching in my throat.

"It's nice to hear you say my name," he murmured.

My skin heated instantly. He lifted the bracelet again, letting the charms brush against his fingers, the soft clinking sound echoing between us.

"This clearly means a lot to you," he said quietly. "So if you want it back... come to Rhodes' party tomorrow."

"Did CC and AJ put you up to this?"

He chuckled. "Oh, so they did invite you. Guess I just did them a favor."

"Aus..."

"7 p.m. tomorrow," he said, gaze flickering to my lips-just for a second-before locking back onto my eyes. Heat rushed to my face so fast it felt like lightning under my skin. "I'll be waiting."

He stepped back, straightened, "Nice talking to you, Ryder."

He walked out of the library like he owned it. Like he hadn't just tilted my entire nervous system off balance.