Page 74 of Bumping into You

“Well, for nachos, of course,” says Holly. Greg just shakes his head like he should have known.

“Sounds about right,” says Trent, who just arrived.

After we’ve about finished the nachos, Trent says, “Anyone up for a game of ping pong?”

“Are you ready to get beat?” I ask.

“Ha! Just because you beat me years ago doesn’t mean you’ll beat me again,” says Trent teasingly.

“My money is on Gwen,” says Niall, eating a nacho as we follow Trent to an open ping pong table.

“I’ll bet it is,” murmurs Margot next to me, smirking.

“Hurtful,” says Trent, bouncing the ping pong ball to test it before sending it over to my side.

Chapter 30

Niall

We take turns playing increasingly competitive games of ping pong, each person stepping up to take on the prior round’s winner.

After taking out all three of us guys as well as Margot, Gwen stands tall, twirling her ping pong paddle in her hand. “Alright, you ready to take on the ping pong champion, Hols?” she asks.

Holly steps up to the table to take the paddle from Margot. “Prepare to be taken down, G.”

Laughter and friendly banter fill the air as the girls go head-to-head for the final round. The score is ten to nine, Holly in the lead by one. With a quick return of the ball, Gwen sends it to the edge of Holly’s side. Holly manages to barely save the ball and sends it back over to Gwen in an equally tricky shot. Gwen misses, making Holly the winner.

“I didn’t see that coming,” says Trent in between laughter.

“Hey, I’m not that unathletic,” says Holly.

With the scorching sun beating down, everyone is eager to cool down on the waterslides.

As we get in line, Greg pats me on the back and whispers, “You and Gwen should pair up for the two-person tubes.”

Having overheard Greg, Trent says, “Margot, you’re with me.” Then he gives me a not-so-subtle thumbs up.

I laugh as I hurry along after them. A rush of excitement sweeps over us as we speed down the waterslides, our voices shouting out in joyful cries that echo and follow us down theslides. After a few rounds of sliding, I ask, “Anyone up for the WaveRider?”

“I’ve wanted to try that,” says Trent. “It looks fun.”

“Let’s do it,” Gwen agrees. “Oh wait, give me a minute. Becca is calling.” She steps to the side of the stands near the WaveRider viewing area.

Trent gives me a little shrug before getting in line. I wonder if Gwen realizes her friends notice her absence. Just as the thought crosses my mind, Gwen locks eyes with me and pauses. “Becca, I’m actually supposed to be doing something right now. I trust you and know you can handle this.” She hangs up her phone and says to me, “Sorry about that.”

“No need to apologize. Work is important,” I shrug.

“Not as important as spending time with my friends. Becca can handle it.” Gwen puts her phone in her bag before joining the others in line.

“You’ve got this, Hols!” Gwen cheers Holly on as Holly steps on to the WaveRider. I can tell Gwen’s fully in the moment now, no thoughts or cares about whatever Becca had called about. She’s showing signs of change, and her friends notice. Greg gives me an almost imperceptible nod acknowledging the same thing.

Chapter 31

Gwen

After more time on the WaveRider and a round of ice cream, we find ourselves on the Grand Promenade. Gillian and Miles have joined our small group, and all the guys have each signed up for the bellyflop competition.

Well, this should be entertaining.

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