Her eyes were dilated, her lips swollen, and I’d done a number on her hair.
She was perfect.
I dragged in a deep breath, watching her for signs of regret. Just like when we’d pulled up for dinner, I had a sinking feeling that I’d pushed too hard. That I was falling so quickly for her that I was dragging her along with me.
But a smile broke out along her lips. Lips that had just been on mine. I mirrored it with my own.
“So much for figuring all this out,” she whispered, but the smile didn’t waver.
“We will. Together.”
She nodded. “Okay. Together.”
Chapter 21
Failure to Thrive
Lucy
Itfeltalittlebit like I had been living a fairytale for the last twenty-four hours. I had a great imagination, but for all the time I found myself staring unseeing at the wall, lost in a daydream, I couldn’t seem to accurately revisit that kiss.
That. Kiss.
My chest got hot thinking about it.
What a time to need to focus. Because I did—need to focus, that was. On getting the promotion. Instead of getting lost thinking about Finn and the boat and the amazing kiss that had reordered my brain cells.
Promotion.
I needed to focus.
Putting on some music in hopes it would drown out my inner daydreams, I buried my head in work. If I got enough done this morning, maybe I could join the afternoon tour. I’d lost a lot of time over the last few days, but I could make up for it now. Had to, because if I didn’t, it was no longer just my promotion on the line, it was also time with Finn. Time to figure things out like he’d promised we would.
After a few false starts, I was extremely productive. I had a jam-packed, electronic portfolio, all prepared withAnne of Green Gablestour information. Everything from itineraries ranging from three to nine days, a bonus two-day tour for movie locations on the island, and even one for those in Toronto, tour stop information, hours, and best times of year to visit. I had my presentation written out, and a slideshow of pictures I’d taken ready, and was generally happy with what I had accomplished. Something still felt like it was missing, that extrasomethingthat would provide the last layer needed to get me this promotion, but I still had three more days before I even needed to be home.
Was anyone else this far along? Two weeks had always been a generous amount of time to give us to plan these tours, and I’d managed to fit in a couple of recreational activities as well, including the best first date I’d had in a while. Maybe ever.
Just in time, I finished everything I needed to. More could always be done… but it was enough for today. Grabbing my things and unsuccessfully squelching the fluttery feeling taking flight in my chest, I ran down the stairs. The Hastings group was already gathered together for the outing. Honestly, I had no clue where we were going today. I’d neglected to check.
I stood on the final stair, looking over everyone’s heads out the window for a glimpse of Finn’s van.
“Hey, Lucy.”
I turned to see a smiling Lily coming down the stairs.
“Hi,” I said, “How are you? Excited for the day?”
She nodded. “I can’t say I fully understand what a singing beach is, but I’m excited to find out.”
Ah, so that’s where we were going.
She looked past me for a moment, then lowered her voice. “Did I see you and Finn headed out together last night?”
I nodded, matching her volume. “We went out on a date.”
Her brows shot up in clear excitement. “Where did you go?”
I quickly recapped the whole night. Well, almost the whole night.