Johnny Beaumont and Charlie Channing have been best friends since second grade-best friends with a code of honor. They agreed as youngsters never to take from the other what one claimed first. They've stuck to their pact religiously-through sports, student government and girls-without so much as a hiccup. Until Emma Davis. She's Johnny's girl but Charlie wants her.Charlie missed the entire eleventh grade recuperating in Seattle from the car accident that killed Johnny's girlfriend, Sarah. While he was away, a new girl moved to Westbrook, Washington-Emma Davis. Emma became Johnny's friend, and finally, having come to terms with Sarah's death, Johnny fell hard for Emma-his feelings running deeper than any he ever had for Sarah-or any girl. And now, it's the summer before senior year and Charlie's coming home. Johnny is thrilled to finally introduce his best friend to his best girl. He's certain Charlie will love Emma just as much as he does. He couldn't be more right. As Charlie and Emma begin to fall for one another right under Johnny's nose, and with Johnny inadvertently pushing them together, they finally succumb to their passion at the Channing family cabin on Lake Crescent in the Olympic Peninsula. As their love blossoms in secret, Johnny's life is unraveling with problems at home and with a rival football player who has it in for him. And when the summer ends, Emma must ultimately choose to follow her heart or her conscience.