Page 32 of The Dangers of Daydreaming (Love Connections #2)

Failure to Thrive

Lucy

It felt a little bit 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 with Anne of Green Gables tour 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 o f 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 extra something that 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.

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 nei ther,” 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 dot s 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 t ime 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?”

I glanced up to see Gemma standing at the door, Lily looking over her shoulder with a wide, welcoming smile on her face.

I hesitated; they were a great group to be with, and I was really hungry, but I also wanted to be here when Finn came back.

A pit in my stomach had been growing all afternoon as I thought about what might have been keeping him at the hospital.

Every scenario from his dad showing up early to his grandpa unexpectedly passing away had played out before me, and I wanted to get the information as soon as possible.

I would just order something in if I didn’t hear from him.

Oh man, I hoped I heard from him.

“No, thanks, I…” I didn’t have more work to do that night—I couldn’t do it if I tried, my brain was so fried—but I didn’t have another ready excuse.

Gemma’s face softened. “Waiting to hear from Finn?”

I dipped my chin. “Yeah,” I admitted. “I’m worried something’s up.”

“I get being worried, especially after last night. He didn’t tell you anything?” Lily asked, her face full of curiosity and no malice. But having to answer th at question was admitting that even after our great date… he was keeping me in the dark.

“No. Well, he said he’s with his grandparents.”

Lily nodded. “I’m sure he’ll fill you in soon.” She looked over to her mom. “They went on the cutest date last night. How romantic, right? A vacation fling.”

I winced without being able to stop myself.

“I don’t think it’s just a fling, dear,” Gemma admonished, putting a hand out as if she could physically restrain Lily’s enthusiasm.

Lily’s face fell. “Sorry, I realize that probably didn’t come out great.” She walked into the room, leaning on the back of one of the armchairs. Slowly, her smile returned. “It’s just so romantic to meet a man in a new country.”

I couldn’t help but laugh a little. “We actually knew each other already. And before you get some star-crossed lovers picture in your head,” I added, knowing that’s exactly where my brain would have taken me if I’d been in her position, “I hated him. He was such a little bully in junior high.”

“Aw, he must have had a crush on you,” Lily gushed.

I pressed my lips together against a self-satisfied smile. “He says he did, actually, but believe me when I say he had a crap way of showing it.”

Lily laughed, but Gemma’s eyes were more serious as she watched me. What was she thinking and seeing in this situation? I was a little afraid to ask.