Page 27 of Pool Girl - An Instalove Possessive Age Gap

It’s a shock to hear it said so plainly, but I always knew my dad was an orphan, although he never mentioned Will. His eyes are dancing now, inviting my next question.

I clear my throat and focus again. “What is it you actually do?” I ask. This is probably what’s been eating me up more than anything else. Even more than the man himself today.

Will sighs, looking like he’s been caught smoking or doing something he might get in trouble for.

“Promise not to get mad?” he asks, looking innocent enough to match his saint’s patience.

Of course I readily agree.

“I developed a computerized pool filtering system years ago… and the chemicals to run in it. I do pretty well out of that,” he says, matter of fact.

I do feel mad, and anger wells up inside me.

“You’re a pool boy!” I exclaim, nearly shrieking. Will ignores me and his body shakes with silent laughter.

“Not exactly, but I’ve cleaned a few in my time. Ask me another,” he says, teasingly, knowing that he has me stumped now.

The two things I never quite understood have been cleared up and I have to say, it’s a bit of a relief to hear it explained so clearly.

So normally.

“So, why couldn’t dad be a part of your pool thing?” I ask, a logical question I think.

“Pride,” Will says, sucking air in through his teeth, then puffing his cheeks as he blows out.

“I asked your dad to come work for me, even be partners, but he always wanted to do things his way. He hated it when I went away from the boys home and hated me for a long time once he found out I’d gone to college and set up my own company. The computerized filtration systems were the last straw and he wouldn’t speak to me for years.”

“So… you do clean your own pools, but just humor dad by letting him clean them so it gives you a reason to support him, us?” I ask, feeling like my whole life’s been a lie, but glad it’s Will that’s behind it.

“Not really,” Will says firmly, taking my face in his hands and explaining further, reading my mind again.

“Your life’s not a lie, Piper. Your dad loves you more than anything. Raising you is the one thing he’s managed to do that nobody else could. I might even go so far as to say he loves you more than I do,” he says, smiling.

“But a father’s love is different,” he continues. “And I’ve only helped out financially, putting money in an account every month. Money your dad’s only used when he knew he had no other options.”

“But you set him up in business?” I ask.

“Yes. As a loan, which he paid off plus interest. Your dad is as stubborn as you are inquisitive,” he observes, giving me a sideways glance with a raised brow.

I sigh a breath of relief, feeling totally relaxed now. Lighter.

And much better informed, which calms my mind instantly.

“Alright,” I tell him, deciding to give him some of his own medicine.

“Alright what?” he asks, looking puzzled, the smug grin sliding from his face as he looks at me like I might’ve finally cracked under the pressure.

“Alright,” I tell him again, with greater conviction.

“Alright what?” he asks, before I have to answer his question just like he’s answered mine.

“Alright, I’ll marry you,”

“You… you will?” he asks, “I mean…” he stammers, “…just like that… you’ll say yes before I even ask?”

He examines me for a moment, then his smile comes back. Bigger and wider, more confident than ever.

“C’mere pool boy,” I purr, and hooking my arms around his neck, I pull him closer to me, kissing him tenderly.

Proving that the pool boy or pool girl fantasy is no myth… it’s sometimes just the only way destiny can run its course.

And it’s sometimes as easy as falling off a log. Or even into a pool.EpilogueSix Months LaterWill“Now, Will. You know I can’t do that. It’s bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding day.”

I want to roll my eyes, to ask Guy if he’s serious. But he’s been so good about Piper and I getting together, even getting married, that I just don’t have the heart to really argue with him.

She’s staying at his place for the day or two before the wedding, and although it bothers me to have her out of the house, our house for a few days, it’s the least of his worries for me to see her now.

If only he knew what I’ve been doing to her day and night for the past six months.

“But Guy,” I start, shake my head and chuckle once his hand goes up, once I can see how serious he’s taking this whole thing.

“She asked me to come over, told me she had some big news she couldn’t tell me over the phone,” I complain, watching his face contort in disbelief.

---