Page 45 of The Dangers of Daydreaming (Love Connections #2)

I Miss Him

Lucy

I sat in my aunt’s backyard, watching the chaos around me with a smile on my face.

I was happy just to be here in the sunny yard surrounded by family.

I loved my family—always had—but for the first time since Mom and Dad had split, I didn’t feel like an outcast. And I wasn’t spending my time hoping to avoid any serious conversations with anyone about anything.

It was nice not to feel so tightly wound.

Like a loud fan I hadn’t noticed until it turned off.

In fact, I was kind of hoping someone would come over and spill some big news so I could fully embrace the moment.

Mom and Brian were talking with Chloe’s mom—the aunt whose backyard we were in.

Sadie, Dani, and Poppy were filling up drinks.

Grandma Sue was in the middle of a conversation with Avery, who had thankfully not brought her fiancé—wait, no, maybe I should get behind those upcoming nuptials like I had with Mom and Brian’s.

But bleh, I just didn’t like the guy. Well, maturing took time—I’d put Avery’s fiancé on the list and deal with him later.

Chloe and her newly reconciled love of her life, Holt, were in the middle of the sunlit yard, laughing at something Grandpa had said to them both.

She was glowing. And I was jealous of the arm Holt had around her.

Why did Finn have to live in a different country?

And now he was in possession of a broken femur—it was, frankly, rude.

I watched them all as Avery excused herself from Grandma Sue. That furrow between her brows was deeper than usual, and she flexed her hands as she walked away. Was everything okay? Maybe my first big conversation needed to happen now.

I started to stand, but just then Sadie plopped onto the seat beside me, leaning back and shading her eyes with her hands. I turned to her instead, and before I could ask about the exasperated look in her expression, it transformed into a smile.

“Congrats on the promotion!” She wiggled her shoulders. “But more importantly, how’s Finn? And how are you being away from him?”

My lips lifted. I had filled all my cousins in on the situation when they’d come to help me prep for the presentation. And of course, I’d told them about his fall only minutes after I found out.

“His Gram won’t let him call me again until he’s off his pain meds. We’ve been talking through her.”

She snorted. “Smart woman.”

I tapped my fingers on the table, ready to burst with my plans. I hadn’t wanted to say anything before—today was about Chloe and Holt. But Sadie wouldn’t be mad at me. She’d probably be more mad if I didn’t say anything. “Full disclosure… I bought a plane ticket.”

Her brows shot up. “Like… you’re running away? You’re eloping? You’re…”

“Visiting,” I cut her off. “I miss him.” I shrugged. Not able to keep from playing it at least a little easy, I added, “Also, Poppy hasn’t been working either time I’ve flown this month. Figured I’d give it another try.”

She ignored the Poppy comment. “You’re in love with him.”

I bit my lip. “I think I am.”

Her face split into a grin. “Lucy!”

“I know.”

“You are so sweet to surprise him with a visit.”

I tilted my head back, letting the sunlight splash over me.

It was like a physical representation of how I felt: bright, warm, happy.

“It’s more selfish than anything. I feel a little like I’m the heroine of my own book here, getting swept up in a grand love story.

Maybe I should dictate my experience to Dani—she can put it in her next best-seller. ”

“All she needs to do is add some dragons, and it perfectly fits her genre.”

I laughed. “Shouldn’t be too hard.”

She gave a half-happy, half-exasperated sigh. “I wish my job would let me find the man of my dreams.”

“Maybe you’ll meet a hot guy in Alaska. You're going to the family reunion next month, right? There’s gotta be someone there that isn’t related to you.”

She nodded. “I think I’m more likely to fall in love with a moose there, though.”

I snorted at that. “I’m going to channel Poppy and say you’re next. The stars are going to align for you and the moose.”

She rolled her eyes, but her mouth was still smiling. “Can I come visit you in Prince Edward Island? Get the full grand Anne tour from you and maybe find my own guy there?”

“It’s a great spot for that, and you totally should come. Finn’s grandparents are planning to sell the B&B sometime soon, so maybe we can get everyone together before that—plan a big trip.”

She leaned her chin into the palm of her hand, looking out at all our cousins. Except Chloe. She’d disappeared somewhere. I twisted around in my chair but couldn’t see where she and Holt had gone off to.

“A cousin trip would be amazing—before you and Chloe go and get married and have babies.”

I held my hands up. “Maybe slow down with the marriage and babies talk… but I wouldn’t actually hate that future. Isn’t that crazy? I can’t believe I started the month wanting a promotion and now I want a husband.” The sun glinted off my lemonade cup as I picked it up and took a sip.

“It's not crazy at all! Eventually, I want a family of my own, so I get it.

I'm just so happy you and Chloe found your happily ever afters.

And before you come at me saying it's too soon for you and Finn to discuss marriage, I'm calling BS on that.

You are the biggest romance lover I know.

If Finn's managed to win you, he's a keeper.”

Impulsively, I leaned across and hugged her. She stiffened for a second—I’d never been known to be too physically affectionate—then hugged me back.

It was just a hug from someone I'd been friends with since birth, but it was more than that.

It was like a physical representation of everything I wanted to change.

One more little brick I'd built up to keep my emotions safe was torn down with that hug.

It was one more reminder that these moments of real connection were what I wanted and needed in life.

And it also made me miss Finn even more. My flight couldn't come soon enough.