“Don’t be out too late now,” Rebecca says, but then she angles her head like a thought just occurred to her. “Whatever happened to that Cory Stevens boy? It’s been a while since we’ve seen him, hasn’t it?”
Kimmie doesn’t look up from rinsing her plate at the sink. “Yeah, he’s an ass. I’m over it.” After grabbing her purse from beside her chair, she pecks her mom’s cheek, then moves toward my dad and does the same. Shoulders stiffening, they both seem to realize what she’s done at the same time. She’s never been the one to initiate it before.
My dad looks at her. She looks at him, frozen.
He nods like he doesn’t know what else to do, and I swear his eyes are watery. Rebecca sits so still I think she’s afraid to break the moment by moving.
“Um, oh-kay,” Kimmie says, turning away, “so I’ll be back soon.” She looks back at me and Joshua, teasing, “Aren’t you two a picture? The hippie and the bad boy.”
I smile, shaking my head, and she chuckles.
I kind of like that he doesn’t show his softer side to just anyone. Like he saves that part of himself for me.
Joshua is already digging into his enchiladas by the time Kimmie disappears out the front door. My stomach tightens as he takes bite after bite. He’s a carnivore through and through, and I can’t stop thinking at any minute he’s going to spit everything out like Kimmie did.
“You like it?”
He slides his gaze to mine. “I like anything if it’s from you.”
My chest flutters, and he takes my hand in his under the table, holding tight.
“So, any big plans tomorrow?” my dad asks, then he gestures toward me. “I know you’re volunteering as usual, but how about you, Hunt?”
Joshua shoots me a look, his brow furrowing. I didn’t even realize until now that I’ve never told him about volunteering. It’s not intentional; between wherever he goes on Saturdays and his Sundays being packed with schoolwork and tutoring, it’s never come up.
He shifts his gaze to my dad. “Just my usual too, sir. I’ve got a tutoring session with Mr. Lancer, also working on an extra credit project for bio.”
Rebecca smiles, and my dad lifts his chin in approval. “You’re a good kid, Hunt. I’ve always admired your dedication. Good work ethic.”
Joshua raises his eyebrows. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
“Just stating facts. Drive like that is going to get you far, especially in medicine.”
This time, it’s my turn to be confused. I look at Joshua, tilting my head. “Medicine?”
Grey eyes sweep up to meet mine. “Research, mostly,” he says between chews. “Medical science. That’s the plan, anyway.”
“Yep.” My dad smooths a hand down his tie. “This one here’s going to change the world. Probably find a cure for cancer or something incredible like that.”
Joshua shakes his head, but his lips tip up at the corner. “I don’t know about all that. Cancer’s a bit outside my field of interest. But yes, sir. I do hope to make some difference. Maybe even save a few lives one day.”
Rebecca asks him another question, and I faintly register Joshua’s low drawl prickling my skin as he responds, but I’m too lost in my head to make out their words. How didn’t I know he wants to get into medical science? Have I really never asked him what he’s going to college for?
I rub my lips together, staring at our clasped hands on his lap, and I’m hit by a whirlwind so strong it rattles my bones.
I want to know where he’s headed; what he wants out of this life. I want to see what he sees when he thinks about tomorrow, next week, next year. I don’t think about my future much, and aside from a few passing fantasies like opening a shop with Mom, I’ve never considered anything as permanent as a career. The few times I have pictured my future, it’s more like a watercolor painting than a portrait—vivid at its heart but hazy along the edges. Vague and open-ended in a way I’m perfectly content with.
But Joshua ... when I picture Joshua, every inch of him is real, permanent. There’s nothing hazy about him, not in my head or in my heart.
I know I’m falling. Falling hard. And in some ways, it still scares me, being lifted so high. But it’s comforting too because from way up here, all I see are miles of blue skies.
“Joshua,” I whisper, my cheek resting against his bare chest.
He groans, but the hand around my waist squeezes.
“Are you awake?”
“Am now,” he murmurs groggily. “Thanks for that, by the way.”
