Will pocketed the card and shut off the game lights. “Thanks, man. I just might do that.”
“I think you’d like it. Well, hey, I’ll let you close up. It’s been nice meeting you, Will. Hope to hear from you.”
“Yeah, you too, man. Thanks.”
Chapter 18
Will Jennings was scarfing down a bowl of Cheerios when his mom rushed through the kitchen on her way out the door.
She’d pulled her dark blonde hair away from her oval face, and her brows furrowed over harried blue eyes. A pair of teal scrubs hung more loosely from her five-foot frame than they had a few years ago. “Sure you don’t want some eggs? Growing boys need protein.”
“Haven’t grown an inch since junior year, Ma.”
She stopped her frenetic rush to work long enough to pat his cheek as she looked at him in that way of mothers everywhere. “My boy... so young and already being recruited for a job.”
“It’s just an entry-level position.”
“With a considerable pay raise.” Her gaze swept his attire—a collared shirt and navy shorts. “You look so handsome. Maybe you should take some Dramamine.”
“It’s just a one-hour tour.” Will hadn’t been on a boat in years, but his mom was prone to seasickness. She’d once gone on a two-day fishing trip and spent the entire time puking over the railing. “But maybe you’re right.”
Mom pecked him on the cheek, making him slosh a spoonful of cereal, then grabbed her purse. “I think there’s some in the medicine cabinet. You’re gonna do great, honey. Let me know how it goes.”
“Will do.”
“Have a good day. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
“Don’t forget to call your dad.”
“I won’t.” The door closed and Will slurped the milk from the bowl.
His mom’s last words gave him that sinking feeling in his stomach. But he opted not to dwell on that right now. He had a job opportunity that would get him closer to paying for that degree he’d been aiming for since freshman year in high school, when Mr. Keating introduced the subject of neurobiology.
The brain was such a mystery even to scientists who spent a lifetime studying it. He couldn’t think of anything more interesting, more fascinating. He’d gotten more serious about his grades, about those scholarships the guidance counselor had mentioned.
When his parents had separated the next year, then divorced, he added a job to the equation, part-time during the school year and full-time through the summer. Because theirs had become a single-mom household and college wasn’t in the budget.
That was okay. He had his first year under his belt now. He’d managed a couple decent scholarships and there were loans for the rest. But he was practical and wouldn’t borrow any more than he had to.
Sure, he’d made some sacrifices. He had to live at home with Mom instead of in a dorm with friends. And there was no time for partying when you had to squeeze in studying between job shifts. Also, he couldn’t afford dating, much less an actual girlfriend. But he was motivated by his love of science.
Speaking of jobs... he checked the time. Then he slurped the last of his milk and got up from the stool. He had a promising position to acquire.
TheCarolina Dreamwas a sixty-five-foot steel riverboat. Heat shimmered from the sidewalk as Will set eyes on the white vessel with blue and red trim. It boasted an enclosed main level, an open upper level, and a 600-horsepower engine. He’d learned all this from his online research.
What he hadn’t learned from the website was that the young woman working the check-in booth was drop-dead gorgeous. He joined the line, keeping his cell phone with the QR code handy while he tried not to stare.
Her pale blonde hair was pulled into two thick braids that framed her pretty face and hung past her shoulders. She was tanned and natural looking, and when she smiled her eyes sparkled.
He stepped next in line, getting within feet of her.
Green. Her eyes were green. And there were faint freckles on her nose. His heart whipped against his rib cage. His mouth was suddenly dry, his tongue thick and heavy.
The couple in front of him moved away and he stepped forward.
“Hi there,” she said.
