The Pier’s Shadow

Summary

• The chapter begins with Cameron visiting Avery at her house for their paddleboarding date, confirming that Avery is a single mother with a teenage son, Marco.
• Avery is an experienced paddleboarder, and offers instruction to Cameron, who struggles with the activity.
• They paddle towards a pier and Avery reveals she once stopped a woman from committing suicide by jumping off the pier.
• Avery then talks about her past experience considering adoption during her early pregnancy with Marco, and how she ultimately decided to keep him.
• Cameron talks about his friends Elizabeth and Brad who are expecting a baby, and his wish for Avery to meet them one day. He also shares about his own mother who abandoned him when he was young, and his lingering questions about her current whereabouts and well-being.
• They eventually head back to shore, but both Cameron and Avery fall into the water after messing around with each other.
• The chapter ends on a playful note with Avery challenging Cameron to a race back to the shore.