All You'll Ever Need by Sharon C. Cooper

cups, he shoved them into a small trash bag he had thought to bring.
    Zack glanced over to where Jada stood. Everything about the time he’d been spending with her felt different than it had with Leslie. They both were very beautiful women, but he couldn’t believe how fast he had taken to Jada. His mother often said that when its right, its right. He never knew exactly what it was, but he had a feeling Jada was right for him.
    ***
    Jada stood next to the water, her hands shoved into the pockets of her Burberry jacket. They had been at the reserve for hours, and she wished they could stay forever. She glanced back at Zack, who was still cleaning up. Returning her attention to the water, her fingertips lightly touching her lips, still felt warm from his kiss. Damn he can kiss, but what am I doing? Her mind relived the velvet warmth of his mouth. If she weren’t careful, Zack could become an addiction she couldn’t break. Hooking up with a man because of his wealth and companionship was one thing, but she couldn’t risk falling for someone who had the ability to break her heart.
    A ripple in the water caught her attention.
    What the heck? Is that a fish? She stepped closer, not caring that Christina’s boots were getting wet.
    “Be careful Jada, those rocks can get a little slippery,” Zack called out from their picnic spot.
    “Okay.” She slowly treaded through the shallow, clear water noticing moss, colorful pebbles, and algae, but no fish. Why she was so determined to see a fish up close was a mystery to her considering she didn’t really like the slippery little creatures.
    A frustrated growl rumbled in her throat as she swatted at a bug flying too close to her face. That’s another reason I don’t like being outside. Stupid insects.
    Another ripple in the water a few feet out grabbed her attention again.
    “Ready to go?” Zack asked.
    Jada glanced over her shoulder at him, surprised at just how far she had walked out.
    “Yep, I’m ready.” She turned to retrace her steps, but whipped her head back around when she heard a soft splash. “Whoa!” Her foot slipped, and she tried desperately to steady herself. Her arms flailed as she wobbled back and forth.
    “Jada!” Zack yelled. Heavy footsteps pounded through the crunching leaves covering the ground. “Jada!” Before she could look at him, her feet slid from beneath her.
    “Aarrggghh!” Her earsplitting scream pierced the quietness of their surroundings. It was as if she were falling in slow motion. Her arms flopped around, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. All thoughts flew from her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, landing with a splash in the cold shallow water.
    “ Ohmigod! Ohmigod !” She splashed around, arms flailing, legs kicking, water flying everywhere. She screamed again, when she tried to stand, only to slip back down, frustrated by her clumsiness.
    “Jada.” She startled, not noticing that Zack had come up behind her. “Are you okay?” He grabbed her underneath her armpits and lifted her into a standing position.
    “Yeah.” Her unsteady legs barely held her up as she gripped his arm tightly. “You were right. It is slippery out here.” She tried to make light of the situation, hoping he didn’t think she was a total klutz.
    “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”
    She slowly released the death grip on his arm. “Only my pride.” She took a deep breath in and slowly let it out forcing her heart to reclaim its steady beat. Soaking wet from the top of her head to the soles of her feet, if she didn’t get out of the water and those clothes soon, she was guaranteed to catch a cold. Or worse, die from hyperthermia.
    Still sliding on the rocks, unable to maintain her balance, Jada grabbed hold of Zack’s arm again. How was it that he was able to stand next to her without sliding around the way she was? Sure, he might’ve had an extra seventy-five to a hundred pounds on her, but still…
    “Come on