#zyler

Blair made a disgusted noise. "Who hikes at nine in the morning? Actually, no, who hikes?"

"People who can go in the sun," Zoey replied, earning a sarcastic smile in response.

Norah took a sip from her coffee. "Why would Tyler have your hoodie, pup?"

"Because they're actually my hoodies because she's a little thief," Tyler said, walking down the steps. He had obviously just woken up, hair tossled from sleep, curls sticking up at odd angles. He had the hoodie in hand, her favorite maroon one with the thumb holes. But that wasn't what caught Zoey's eye.

He was shirtless.

It wasn't like she'd never seen him shirtless before. They grew up together, with summers and beach days and sleepovers. She was well acquainted with him being shirtless. But he'd never looked like that before.

He'd obviously been working out at school, and his abdomen was seeing the beginning of definition. His arms were muscular, toned biceps moving as he gestured at her. He looked like a boy, and but just any boy but a cute boy. A hot one even.

What the fuck?

Your heart is going crazy right now, Z.

Blair's voice in the back of her brain was teasing, like she knew something Zoey didn't.

Shut up. No it isn't.

It was a stupid response because she knew Blair – and Norah and Kayla, dear God – could hear the way her heart was going insane.

"When will you be back?" Tyler asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he held out the hoodie to her. His voice was rough from disuse and deeper than usual. Zoey's face went hot. "We were gonna go to the beach later."

"Um, I don't know," she said, nervous to disappoint him even more than usual for some godforsaken reason. "I'll text you when we get back."

He nodded, sending her an easy, halfawake smile. "Mmkay. Hope you have fun on your hike."

Snorting, Blair said, "She'll have sooo much fun getting all hot and sweaty, surrounded by bugs."

"Ew," Tyler said wrinkling his nose.

It shocked Zoey back to reality, and he was Tyler again, her loser best friend who made ridiculous faces.

"I'm sure the bugs think you're just as gross," she said, rolling her eyes. He scoffed. "I'm gonna go before Em thinks you guys kidnapped me."

"She should be so lucky," Blair said, making Kayla snort.

Zoey said her goodbyes, keeping her eyes away from Tyler and his torso before walking back outside to Emily's car.