Summary

In Chapter 16, at the bonfire that night, Samson breaks off his fling with Cadence. He defends Beyah when Beau, a philanderer, flirts with Beyah and will not take no for an answer.

Later, when Beyah goes with Samson to his house, she initiates a kiss with Samson because she wants to experience a full kiss with him. After they finish the kiss, Samson reminds Beyah that he is leaving in August. Beyah reminds him that she is also. Samson warns her that if they have a relationship that they need to keep it in the “shallow end” (197). He reminds her that people can drown in the shallow end. Beyah thinks Samson probably intended to keep that thought to himself.

Beyah asks about the man at dinner. Samson says that he does not want to lie to her, but also cannot be truthful with...