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That smile still had the ability to cut her off at the knees. As a vulnerable eighteen-year-old his smile had made her feel special and it still did.
She shouldn’t have come. It was too hard, standing here in front of him as if he was no more than an acquaintance. As if there hadn’t once been a world of feelings between them.
They’d been good together. More than good.
Hope and possibilities had been spread like a feast in front of them, but instead of gorging themselves they’d walked away leaving all that potential untouched.
She’d tried hard to let him go and live the life she’d been given.
“The first time I saw you, you were running along the beach.”
She frowned. “The first time we saw each other was in the café. You came in that day and I was bussing tables.”
“I’d seen you before that,” he said. “I used to watch you run every morning. You were fast. And light on your feet. You ran like an athlete. This is the first time I’ve seen you run since you arrived home.”
“It felt good. I have Jenna to thank for it.” She saw him glance over her shoulder. “She turned back. She’s teaching. It’s a school day.”
He nodded. “How’s Mack?”
“Doing better, I think.” She wished she knew for sure, but she and Mack still hadn’t returned to their old relationship. Things were less tense, but Lauren had a feeling that was because Mack was spending most of her time at school or in her room.
“She’s smart. I’m glad she finally joined the Coding Club.”
“You know about that?”
“Yes. She said something about setting up a website for The Captain’s House so I suggested she join. It took her a while to find the courage. She was afraid of being teased.” He rubbed his fingers across his jaw. “She’s the only girl in the club, but she seems to be handling that.”
“You know a lot about what’s going on in her life.” The fact that Mack was telling him more than her own mother, hurt. “You’ve been seeing a lot of her?”
“Her cycle route home from school takes her past the boatyard. She calls in sometimes. You know that. After last time, I made sure she told you.”
“She said she was helping. I didn’t realize the two of you were having long, meaningful conversations.”
“Is that a problem?” He tucked the rag into the back pocket of his jeans while she struggled for a response.
“What do you want me to say? That it hurts my feelings that she’ll talk to you, when I’ve spent the last sixteen years caring for her and putting her first? Yes, it hurts. And I hate
myself for that because I’m worried about her and as long as she is talking to someone that’s good.”
“But you’d rather it wasn’t me.”
“She recently lost someone she loved very much, even if she’s forgotten that right now.” She heard the edge in her own voice and hated herself for it. “What happens when she gets attached and then you move on again?”
“You’re making a lot of assumptions.”
“I know you, Scott.”
He gave her a long look. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Not today, but we both know you’ll move on at some point.”
“Maybe I won’t.”
There was no way she was going to allow herself to believe he might have changed. “Let’s not talk about it.”
“If that’s what you want.” His gaze held hers. “Now that the weather is warming up I thought I could take her sailing. Would you object to that?”
“No. If she wants to go on the boat, then you should take her.” She didn’t want to give Mack another reason to be angry with her, and it wasn’t as if she was worried about Mack’s safety. No one knew more about the sea than Scott.
