Page 73 of Meant for Me
“Nice job!” Zoey hopped to her feet, clapping. “You’ll be ready for that handstand way before I am.”
Linc ambled to his feet, a little more slowly. His jaw throbbed, but it was a mild inconvenience compared to the sudden ache in his chest. What had just happened? What had he almostlethappen?
The excitement lingering on Amelia’s face as Zoey congratulated her reminded him what they were really there for—her. The last thing Amelia, or Zoey for that matter, needed was for Linc to take stupid risks with their family. If Zoey had expected more in their marriage, she’d have made that clear. It was up to him to hold to what he promised. They’d stay best friends and raise his daughter together, without pressure or expectation for anything more.
Because in Linc’s experience,morealways led toless.
“Did you see that?” Zoey called to him, ponytail swishing as she pointed to Amelia. Her eyes lit with pride, and his heart twisted. Losing Zoey wasn’t an option. He’d rather keep her forever as just a friend than risk not having her at all. A brief moment of chemistry wasn’t worth everything else.
Linc nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “Sure did.” He watched his daughter attempt a one-arm pushup and chuckled as she nearly face-planted on the black mat. Looked like he lived with two brave women.
He drew a breath. Maybe it was time to call Ms. Bridges back.
Because at this point, he couldn’t bear to lose either of them.
sixteen
Linc leaned back in the captain’s chair of his pontoon as he killed the engine, stretched out his legs. “You know, you guys could just outright invite us somewhere sometime, quit tricking us.”
Especially on his own boat.
Not that he really minded. The evening breeze was the perfect temperature, the sky clear, the salt water warm as the wake sprayed his face. Zoey had just handed him a cold drink from the cooler, which paired perfectly with the spicy crawfish meat pies Elisa had baked.
He’d blame the endorphins from the gym for his good mood, but—his eyes darted to Zoey—he wasn’t sure science could fully back that up.
“We didn’t think you’d come properly celebrate your elopement if we didn’t make up some story to get you to the dock.” Noah sat next to Elisa, portside, his arm draped around her shoulders. She leaned against him, a contented smile on her face as she sipped from a thermos.
“Yeah, you two have been sort of MIA lately.” Cade, sitting opposite them starboard with Rosalyn, air-toasted Linc with his soda. “Not that I blame you, newlyweds.”
Yikes. Awkward territory. He forced his gaze not to drift to Zoey, though it felt a bit like fighting a magnetic pull. “Don’t forget that small, time-consuming matter of suddenly raising a teenager.”
“Speaking of, nice call, having Mama D take Amelia shopping with her new gift cards.” Zoey pointed at Elisa. “I’m guessing that was your idea.”
The blonde grinned. “Guilty as charged. Seemed like a win-win.”
“Owen, drop that anchor for me, will you?” Linc pointed to the bench seat nearest his friend. “We can hang here a bit.”
Owen stood to open the compartment, stumbling as a wave bumped the boat. He lurched forward. “Oops.”
“Not again.” Zoey shot Linc a knowing smirk as she rummaged through the cooler near Cade. “At least that one wasn’t possibly my fault.”
“Good thing. I don’t think dolphins are going to save me a second time.” Linc snorted.
“Just look at them.” Cade shook his head with atsk. “Already obnoxious with the inside jokes.”
“Oh hush. It’s cute.” Rosalyn nudged him in the ribs.
Elisa shot Zoey a look, one Linc couldn’t quite interpret.
Owen dropped anchor, took his seat again. The wind mussed his usually kempt hair, making him look more pirate than banker. “Any apple tarts left?”
“Pass the meat pies too—unless Cade’s finished them all.” Linc held out his hand.
Cade dug in the picnic basket and passed Owen a tart, then leaned forward, swung the woven container toward Linc. “Have at it. I have no reason to stress-eat now.”
“I’ll take some credit for that.” Rosalyn tilted her head back and kissed his cheek.
The boat erupted into a mix ofawws andewws, depending.
