Page 10 of The Maine Attraction

My mouth falls open. “That’s not what I said.”

“Isn’t it?” She shrugs. “I’m pretty sure you just said I’d end up all by myself.”

I clench my fists.I can’t believe I have to defend myself against this nonsense.“I said ifPrince Charmingshowed up, that’d be your reaction. Are you telling me you’re dreaming of Prince Charming coming to your rescue?”

Her nostrils flare. “Absolutely not!”

“Then what are we even arguing about?” I roar. “I swear, you search for things to be mad about.”

“If I do, it’s just because I’ve had to fight against sexism every day of my life! First, it was kids making fun of my name, saying it’s aboyname. Then it was my love of hockey and the fact that I was the only girl on the team. Now, I have to fight every day with people who expect a man to show up for contracting jobs. When does it end?” She takes a step back and collides with the railing of the observation deck. The railing gives out with a sickening snap.

“Charley!” I jump forward, reaching out to grab her before she topples over the side and plummets to her death. I pull her back to safety, not stopping until my back presses into the cool brick wall.

She presses her face into my chest and sobs. I stroke her back, whispering, “You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s all right,” over and over.

She looks up at me with tear-streaked cheeks. “You saved my life. Just like Prince Charming.”

I chuckle. “I’m not dumb enough to fall for that bait.”

She smiles weakly. “I could have died.”

I fold her back into my arms. “You’re safe,” I repeat.

“But I could have,” she murmurs. “And it would have been so embarrassing. I’m a professional. I’m always cautious at job sites. I know better. How could I ever live down the shame?”

“You wouldn’t, because you would be dead,” I point out.

She laughs. “Thank you for saving my life.”

“No problem. For the record, I’m glad you’re not dead.”

She takes a shaky step back to look up at me. “You are?”

“Of course. If’ you’d died, I’d have been convicted of murder and sent to prison for the rest of my life.”

She laughs, punching me in the shoulder.Hard.

“See what I mean?” I say, rubbing my shoulder. “No one who knows us would ever believe it was accident. Even my sister would testify against me.”

Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips and I’m suddenly weak in the knees again.When did Charley Corbin become so… kissable.

“Maybe we should call a truce?” she suggests.

I nod. “Deal.”

She turns to gaze at the view once more and frowns. Holding her hand over face to shield her eyes from the sun, she gazes at something. “What’s that?” she asks, extending a finger.

I follow the direction of her pointer finger to a silver object hovering nearby. I suppress a groan. “It’s a drone.”

She turns to look at me. “What’s it doing?”

“Taking photographs, I’d imagine.”

“Of us?” she shrieks.

“Let’s go inside and make our way back down, okay?”

Once we’re hidden inside, Charley repeats her question. “Was someone taking pictures of us?”

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