Chapter 42

“Oh, well,” Jason said. “Guess not?” He was relieved, and not relieved, by this. No jumping into water. No Colby in a swimsuit and gleaming with water, either.

The lights were still on, wreathing palm trees and shimmering from posts and glowing in the pool itself, glinting like wayward fairies in autumn dark. Colby grinned and started fishing around in a pocket. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Colby,” Jason attempted patiently, “the pool’s closed.”

“Only technically.” Colby was fiddling with the lock. “We’re entirely safe. I did mention to the concierge earlier that I might like a late-night swim, and he said no one would interfere, though he did say they’d put the lock on, but I assured him that wouldn’t be a problem. Oh, come on, you’re only being fussy, you dowant to open up for me…”

This last was directed at the lock. Not at Jason. Who did not want to open upfor Colby Kent. Or any other suggestively phrased terminology.