Page 72 of The Dangers of Daydreaming

She leaned against the stairwell in a sort of faux swoon. “Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. I didn’t know first dates like that actually existed.”

“Me neither,” I confided.

“Does he have any friends?”

I thought back to the night before. “Someone lent us the boat. Maybe he’s single.”

Lily held up two crossed fingers. “I can only hope.”

The door opened, and we both turned with the rest of the group. But it wasn’t Finn standing there. I didn’t recognize the tanned-skinned man at all.

“Where is Finn?” I asked without preamble as the guy held the door open for Ciara and her little Tasmanian devil. It was Gemma who answered though, on her way out behind the little rugrat.

“He had something come up and arranged to have Ishmael here take us to the Victoria Seaport Museum.”

What had come up? He hadn’t mentioned anything that would keep him from going on the tour today when we were together last night. I waited until everyone was on their way to the van—one that appeared rented instead of the silver one Finn drove—then caught Ishmael’s attention before he stepped off the porch steps.

“Do you know if everything’s okay?”

The man shrugged. “Sorry, ma’am. I just help the Harrisons run tours every now and then; I don’t really ask questions.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Are you part of the tour?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No, I’m staying here.” There was no point going without Finn.

The guy dipped his head at me and went to join the group. Lily waved as she got in the van.

My lips were pinched in thought as I watched them drive off. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I shot off a quick text to Finn.

Lucy: You OK?

Three dots immediately appeared, indicating he was texting me back. But then they disappeared. I waited for thirty seconds, and they didn’t come back. My stomach twisted itself into knots. This couldn’t have anything to do with me, could it?

We’d had a great night last night. An amazing night. After the earth-shattering kiss, we had ended up holding hands and watching the stars until I started to shiver. Then Finn had draped the blankets over my shoulders and driven us back to the dock.

He wouldn’t just ghost me today. He wouldn’t.

My hands tapped against my jeans. I considered going over to his house and seeing if he was there, but if his van wasn’t, he wouldn’t be either. I would just have to wait until he texted me.

Slowly, I trekked back up to my room. The window looked out over the front, and I opened the blinds just in case Finn pulled in while I was up here, but I also forced myself back to my computer. If I weren’t on a tour, I should keep working. I’d barely sat down, though, when my phone buzzed. I pushed the laptop aside, grabbing it.

Finn: At the hospital with my grandparents. I’ll fill you in when I’m home.

I stared at the two little sentences. Something was up. Had Finn decided that coming clean about his lack of a college degree was worth missing a day of tours? Or… Had his grandpa taken a turn?

Having this little bit of information almost felt worse than having none at all.

I typed out a quick text telling him I hoped everything was alright. But when no indication that he would text again showed up, I did my best to bury myself back into work.

It didn’t work. I tried beefing up my presentation and got nowhere. I paced the room, brainstorming ideas to elevate my plans, but I spent most of my time watching the mostly empty driveway. I even tried changing rooms to the parlor. Nothing helped. My mind had shut down and was stuck on Finn and what could be happening.

One date and my brain had broken. Just one date, and the smallest—hopefully—hiccup in plans, and I was useless to productivity. It didn’t bode well for my future, but I wasn’t even able to think about that right now. I was just worried about what I didn’t know. Half a dozen times, I opened my texts to beg for more information, but stopped myself. He would have texted me if he could…or wanted to.

By the time the Hastings got home, I almost wished I’d gone with them for the distraction. And now they were headed out again, for dinner this time.

“Want to join us, Lucy?”

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