“I worked all through—”
“If you’d played your cards right, you’d be making a good livingby now, but instead you’re planning to spend half your life in school racking up a bunch of debt.”
Will gritted his teeth. “Why can’t you understand that I want to study science? Maybe be a neurosurgeon? I could make a difference in people’s lives.”
His brows furrowed. “Unlike me, you mean?”
“No, Dad, that’s not what I mean. It’s my life, isn’t it? Shouldn’t I get to choose what I do with it?”
Dad grabbed his card from the machine, then slid from the booth. “Sure, you’re nineteen years old and know it all. I’m only forty-eight—what do I know?”
Will’s heart sank as his father strode from the table. He’d never approved of Will. He was always undercutting him, making him feel like he should be ashamed for getting good grades or playing on the basketball team. Was it any wonder Will wanted to find his biological father?
If Will could flip a switch and be like his dad, he would. The man could fix anything. He was the handiest guy around. And he did make good money.
But Will wasn’t like him. He wasn’t like him at all, and he was tired of feeling like a failure for it.
Chapter 30
The sound of rushing water greeted Josh, Maggie, and Zoey as they entered the aquarium at Fort Fisher.
“Look at the otters, Mommy!” Zoey rushed over to the window to watch the animals frolic in the water.
“Aren’t they cute?” Brad and Becky had brought her daughter here a few years ago, but Zoey didn’t remember.
“Do you hear them chirping?” Josh asked.
The sounds echoed through the cavernous building.
Zoey cocked her head, listening. “Otterschirp?” Her voice rose on the last word as she crinkled her nose.
He chuckled at her expression. “They sure do.”
Josh strolled along the pavers with Maggie while Zoey rushed from one lookout to the next. When they stopped he brushed Maggie’s hand with the back of his in a way that could’ve only been deliberate.
Her skin tingled at the touch, and a sidelong glance revealed Josh gazing longingly at her.
Awareness flickered between them, reminding Maggie of last night’s amazing sunset kiss. What it had lacked in length, it more than made up for in warmth and fervor.
“I do love that little girl of yours,” Josh whispered. “But I sure wish we were alone right now.”
“What would you do?”
His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering there for a beat. “Exactly what you want me to do.”
His lips were inviting, the lower one slightly plump and pink. She could almost feel the bristle of his five-o’clock shadow against her cheek.
“Look, Mommy! Look at the funny fish.”
They joined Zoey at the tank and pointed out the different kinds of fish, then followed along as she wandered from one display to the next. Josh took her picture by a fake alligator, then they moved on to the next section where Zoey dropped to her knees to play in the man-made tide pool with several other children.
Josh and Maggie had been careful to keep their interactions platonic around Zoey. She was verbal enough to tell anyone who might listen that Uncle Josh and Mommy had been holding hands.
And it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep those boundaries in place. It seemed that ever since she’d given herself permission to care for Josh, her heart had been in a free fall. When he wasn’t there, she missed him and made mental notes of the things she’d share with him.
And when they were together, she wanted to touch him. She wanted to bask in his obvious affection. She was starting to wonder why she’d been so insistent they take it slow. She knew him better than practically anyone. Admired him. Respected him. He’d always been so good to her and Zoey, offering support and comfort. The romantic feelings were a natural extension of the foundation they’d built over many years.
But it was already the end of July and she was due back at school August 18. Just over three weeks away. Somehow summer was almost over. How would their relationship evolve in the long term?
