Page 57 of The Dangers of Daydreaming

Afterreturningtotheinn from the trip to Cavendish and the incredibly immersive Anne experience I’d had, I’d been flooded with ideas for my tour. It took a super late night and half of the morning, but I was now nearly done with the actual tour part; I had the itinerary on paper, including the bonus movie-based itinerary, and I had a rough outline for my actual presentation as well.

I’d skipped the tour that day. It wasn’t Anne-related, but I’d still been interested in going… except for the need to work. In addition to the literary tour plans, I finalized a few clients’ itineraries and had a conference call with Ellie while walking down the lane. It was the kind of day that had me exhausted but so satisfied with my work. Better even than when I manage to get all my laundry washed, dried, folded, and put away all in one day back home.

So, I was taking a break.

I sat up on the bed and stretched my back. The one downside to this cute room was the lack of a desk or table to write on, so I’d been hunched over my computer most of the day.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” I called.

It opened, revealing Finn.

That manwas too attractive for his own good. And it was somehow worse when he showed up unannounced. Like my body didn’t get a chance to prep itself for seeing him.

“Hey, what are you up to?” he asked.

“Just finished my presentation outline and finalized some tour details.”

“So, you need a change of scenery?” He held the “so” out, his smile showing up.

“Yes.” I didn’t even think twice about my answer, though a small part of me said I should have.

“I’m headed to the hospital to bring Gram home for the night and to see my Pops.” He shifted his weight, pushing hands into his pockets. “Gram mentioned she’d like to see you again. Want to join me?”

I’d already met his grandma before. Yet somehow this moment felt more like a “meet the family” situation than the last did. I squirmed where I sat. But ultimately, I knew the answer I wanted to give. “Sounds fun. Are you leaving right now?”

He grinned. “If you’re ready.”

I looked around for my phone and purse and grabbed them. “Yep.”

“Perfect.” He held open the door for me from inside the room. Which meant I had to squeeze past him and his defined shoulders and chest.

By the look on his face, he knew exactly what he was doing.

Not against a little enticement, he’d said. The man was taking that pledge very seriously.

He followed me down the narrow staircase. On the second floor, we passed Lily heading into her room.

“Hey!” she said to me after a quick hello to Finn. “I’m so sorry for being a terrible roommate.”

“No, I’m sorry,” I said. “Are you feeling better?”

She nodded emphatically. “Yes. Thank goodness. It’s going to be a long time before I can eat seafood again, though. If ever. Yeah… Come to think of it, I think it’s officially off the menu.”

I grimaced. “I don’t blame you.”

She looked between the two of us and, for the first time, I realized that she had to be close in age to Finn and me, with sleek, chin-length hair that appeared to always be perfectly in place and light eyes that gave her an almost ethereal appearance.

If Finn was such a tease and a flirt like I’d always assumed, why wasn’t he flirting with her?

“Where are you headed?” she asked.

“Lucy is coming with me to pick up my grandma,” Finn offered. He didn’t seem uncomfortable, just standing there with his weight equally balanced on both legs and an easy smile on his face. But he wasn’t putting off any flirting vibes. Not even a little.

Men like him were always putting off flirting vibes… weren’t they? It was like they got a handbook at birth.You’re going to grow to be an attractive and socially capable man. Therefore, it is your duty to flirt with every female you cross paths with. It’s in the rules: you’ll find it on page thirty-seven.

Lily was looking at us with curiosity now. What did she see? What did I want her to see?

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