“I don’t think so,” I say.
“Is it the earmuffs?”
“Possibly what the earmuffs are hiding.”
“Lis likes Botts, huh?” he asks.
“I cannot reveal bunk secrets,” I say. “But do you think she has a chance with him?”
He hesitates. “Maybe. He had a serious girlfriend for the last few summers. Cassie. But they broke up in the fall. And she didn’t come back.”
“Oh, that’s sad.”
Then he laughs.
“What?”
“I’ve been meaning to give you a heads-up—Eric has a thing for you.”
“Eric?” I ask.
“The office guy!”
I blush. “The stoner? Seriously?”
“Yes. He says you spend a lot of time there.”
“Yes, calling my boyfriend!”
“He’s not picking up on your reasons for visiting.”
“Can you tell him I’m not available?” I say. “He should like someone else.”
“Feelings are feelings, I guess?”
Our eyes lock a moment longer than they should.
Just then Botts walks up to us. “Rosenspan! What are you doing for your day off?”
“Coming to your cottage!” I say. “Drinking French wine!”
Botts punches Gavin’s shoulder. “He invited you already? Bastard. Stole my thunder.”
“I did,” Gavin says.
“So you’re in?” Botts asks me.
“I am. As long as I can take the Tuesday/Wednesday. Let me check with Talia and Danish. And thanks for the invite.”
I laugh and go find Talia, who is still whispering in the corner, laughing with Lis and Allie.
She waves me over.
“Our co-counselor is one second away from doing a pole dance,” she says. The counselors beside her laugh.
I look over at Janelle. She’s standing on a chair, dancing, in a hot pink tube top. Smokin’ Hot Benji and Jamon, one of the Australian kitchen staff, are dancing beside her.
“She’s drunk,” Talia says.
“I think she’s just naturally spirited,” I say.
“No, Smokin’ Hot Benji has a flask,” Lis says.
“She’s totally going to hook up with one of them tonight,” Talia says.
“She’s just dancing,” I say. I think about Gavin. I think about Eli and the sundress girls. “Not all flirting is prelude to hooking up.”
“We’ll see,” Talia says. “But my money’s on Jamon.”
“Mine’s on Smokin’ Hot Benji,” Lis says. “They were almost making out the other day. Sam?”
“Since I have to be celibate all summer, and since I am hoping to live vicariously through you people, I am hoping for Smokin’ Hot Tennis Benji.”
“Okay, Porny,” Talia says with a laugh.
I know she’s joking, but my cheeks heat up, and I turn around before she can see.
I wake up in the middle of the night to the sounds of soft moaning.
I open my eyes for a split second and see two bodies in Janelle’s bed, under the covers.
I put my pillow over my head and go back to sleep.
“Rise and shine, everyone!” Danish says. She’s standing in front of our doorway. “Time to get up!”
Janelle groans. Unfortunately, I’m at this point very familiar with her groaning sounds.
At least the guy is gone. I saw Jamon leave just as the sun was coming up.
And I will be buying some earplugs on my day off.
Janelle pushes her covers off her face.
“Fun night?” I ask her.
“Oh yeah,” she says, laughing. “Super fun. We didn’t wake you, did we?”
“You woke me,” Talia calls from the back room.
“And me,” Lis says.
“And me,” I add.
She laughs even harder. “I am so sorry! Why didn’t you say something?”
“I didn’t want to . . . interrupt?” Lis says.
“Next time just throw something at me,” she says.
“Or maybe next time you could go to his bunk,” Talia says.
“Totally,” Janelle says. “I told him to come visit and he did! I wasn’t sure he was going to come!”
“Oh, he definitely came,” Talia says.
She laughs even harder. “Ha! We didn’t have sex. But yeah, still fun. I’m totally going to be a zombie all day.”
She jumps out of bed and heads to the bathroom.
“That was gross, yeah?” Lis asks, zipping up her sweatshirt.
“Yeah,” Talia says.
“I just wish they could have gone somewhere more private,” I say. I am definitely getting earplugs on my day off. “Oh, Talia, before I forget, are you okay with me taking Tuesday/Wednesday for my day off? That means I leave Tuesday night and come back Wednesday?”
“Yeah, and that’s fine. Lis and I were both going to take Friday/Saturday together. Will you be okay with just Janelle? Promise to be back before the Saturday overnight.”
“Yeah. No problem.” It’s not like Talia and Lis do that much to help.
“If Janelle brings someone back, you can always try sleeping in my bed,” Talia offers. “At least you won’t be right on top of them.”
I sigh. She has the top bunk. “I’m not sure I want an aerial view.”
“Don’t go! Don’t go!” Em cries, wrapping her arms around my waist. The girls are walking to flagpole, and I am heading to the office where I’m supposed to meet Botts and friends. I am carrying a backpack with my clothes for the night.
“I’m sorry, girls!” I say, hugging them. “I’ll be back tomorrow! It’s just one day!”
“Don’t leave me!” Talia cries.
I laugh. “You’ll be fine.”
“I doubt it,” she says. “What happens if I call in sick?”
“Lis and Janelle have to watch all of them.”
“I will kill you,” Lis says, glaring.
“Will you bring doughnuts?” Fancy asks.
“Yeah! Bring us doughnuts!”
“The chocolate frosting kind,” Fancy says. “The best counselors bring doughnuts.”
“Is that a thing?” I ask Talia.
“You’re asking if doughnuts are a thing?” she asks.
“Is it a thing for counselors to bring back something for the kids?”
She nods. “Yes. For kids and co-counselors. I like mine with sprinkles. Didn’t your counselors bring you stuff?”
“I think I’m remembering Munchkins,” I say. “But I’ll see what I can do. Now line up, ladies! Have a great evening and I’ll see you tomorrow night!” I readjust my backpack, blow them all kisses, and head to the office.
Gavin is already there. His backpack is slung over his shoulder. He is still wearing his sunglasses even though it’s after six.
Emily would totally make fun of him for that. I kind of want to, but I don’t.
“All good?” he asks. “Botts just left a few minutes ago with Lawrence, Brody, and Allie. Since we can’t all fit in one car, I said I would drive with you. Also, I have no car.”