Wilson can only provide so many distractions to thinking about my date with Miles. By the time Thursday rolls around, I’m antsy. Will Miles bring Duke to camp again? I want to see him again before our date, see if I wasn’t dreaming him. I wouldn’t allow myself to walk past his house for a closer investigation –that would have been stalker caliber– but my eyes did occasionally wander to his area of the beach when I sat on my deck, doing my nightly nature appreciation homework from Dr. Greene. Now I’m on the back patio of the library, waiting for my campers to arrive. A collage project will take up the first half of our session, so I’ve laid out art supplies on two picnic tables. “Miss Zoe, Miss Zoe!” I glance up just time to catch a running Duke, who flings himself at me. Laughing, I collect him into a hug. His small arms snap around my waist, clutching me tightly. I struggle not to close my eyes and soak up the feeling. “Duke, honey, don’t overwhelm Miss Zoe.” Even though she reprimands him, harried affection rings in her tone.
