Had he recovered from that little kiss? If so, he was stronger than me. The sweet salt air has stabilized me, but arousal is still just a thought away. Consciously pushing it farther, I ask, “But does he? He’s been consistent from the start. He was fighting to control the boat in a squall, and when he looked back, she was gone. You want to blame him—”

“—but I can’t. I accept that. Something was going on with my mother. I just wish your father could explain it.”

“I’ll keep asking.”

“But you’re only here a week. What if that isn’t enough? What if he doesn’t say anything? Will you still run away to New York?”

I shoot him a warning look. “Careful, Jack. If I run to New York, it’s to my home. My life is there. My daughter’s life is there. I cleared things to come here for a week, but next Saturday is booked. I have people lined up. If I’m not back, the realtors I work with will go elsewhere.”

“No loyalty?” he asks, part inquiry, part scorn.

But I understand my clients. Many have become friends. “It’s about the bottom line. I work with high-end realtors who have high-end clients. They want results and they want them now. Besides, I love what I do.”

“It shows. Your pictures are top-notch. I love what you do.”

Closing my eyes, I drop my chin to my chest. “You’re not helping.”

“Only because you don’t want to hear what I’m saying,” he insists. “You’ve stayed in New York all these years because no one was arguing against it. You choose to raise Joy there because being alone means you’re the one in control. You grew up trying to please everyone else, but when you’re there, there’s no one to please but you and Joy. The decisions are yours.”

Of all the things I’ve considered, even discussed with Chrissie, the idea that I chose New York for that reason isn’t one. I never thought of myself as controlling. Never thought of myself as wanting to be.

“Didn’t consider that?” he asks. “Not in twenty years?”

I don’t take offense. He’s overlooking one major factor. “I wasn’t exactly sitting around doing nothing. I made a home for myself. I built a career. I made friends. I raised a child.”

“An amazing child.”