Greatwater Lake So I pull up in that Maybach Candy

Inkeri waded onto the shore and settled down beside him, her catch just a few feet away. Atreus watched her, insides still blooming with heat. He drew in a breath when she said his name not once but twice. He was accustomed to her stutter by now, though hearing the repetition reminded him of his earlier thought.

Sinking his belly to the ground, he rolled his weight onto his opposite hip so he could angle his face toward her. Up close like this, he could see the depths of her aquamarine irises. They were flecked with other colors. Atreus experienced a strong urge to brush the smear of charcoal beneath one of her eyes or perhaps even kiss it.

Clearing his throat, he said instead, My name isn’t actually Scout. That’s just a nickname. I’d like to tell you my real name.