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“This is madness, Joshua,” he said, leaning back in his chair and running his fingers through his hair. “I know I broke the rules, but it was in the most harmless way imaginable—a consensual kiss when I was off-duty. The bonus I can understand, but bein’ suspended? Over a woman clearly lyin’?”

“Look,” Joshua began, lowering his voice, “You and I have been mates for a long time, Finn. If it were my choice, I’d have you drivin’ right now with double the pay. But the VP…” He broke off, shaking his head.

“He wants to make an example of me,” Finn finished. “Make sure no one else does anythin’ like this again.”

Joshua grimaced. “Exactly.”

Finn blew out a slow breath, shaking his head. How had it come to this? Of all things?

“He thinks Mrs. Waterstone is a force to be reckoned with,” Joshua continued. “She and her husband travel everywhere and leave well-followed reviews. If the wrong person got ahold of the story, well, then we’d be done.”

Finn nodded. He understood it. Really, he did. First and foremost, it was a business. It wasn’t a family.

“I want you to know I’m goin’ to defend you, though,” Joshua said. “I’ll do everythin’ I can to help settle this, alright? And quickly, too.”

Finn nodded, that numbness creeping over him again.

“Meanwhile,” Joshua continued, “just lie low. Be patient. I have to corroborate stories, so I must advise you not to see or contact Miss King until that happens, otherwise, your testimony—and hers—might be seen as bein’ influenced by each other.”

Finn pressed a hand over his eyes. “Can’t we leave her out of this? She’s innocent in it all.”

“She’ll provide a valuable insight, mate,” Joshua said.

Finn dropped his hand, then looked down at the desk, defeated. Maisie. Now he couldn’t even message her? Was he really going to have to wait until Friday to see her again?

“And,” Joshua continued, clearly hesitating, “I might also advise that you cut ties with the woman completely. If you do, it might prove to the VP that you’re serious ’bout keepin’ your job here.”

Finn stared hard at Joshua. He was suggesting Finn never see her again—never message her again?

Last Monday, before that blonde straggler had boarded his bus, Finn might have agreed to this suggestion. But now, after the week he’d had with Maisie and the kiss they’d shared, how could he even comprehend doing that?

“I’ll keep you updated the minute anythin’ changes,” Joshua said.

Finn mutely nodded.

“I’m sorry about this,” Joshua said again. “Really, I am.”

Finn didn’t respond.

“Before you leave, I just need you to fill out a few forms with your statement on it,” Joshua said, sliding a packet toward Finn, who took them in a stupor.

He felt like a thirteen-year-old boy again, caught in trouble, being expelled from Eton once more for breaking the rules. How was this happening? How could he still not be thinking about his family and what was best for them, instead only thinking about what was best for him?

Now, he was just proving that he hadn’t even been thinking about Maisie. He could only pray now that this wouldn’t ruin the rest of the holiday she’d waited to go on for years.

When would he ever learn?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Maisie tapped her foot on the sidewalk, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Bob—and much more truthfully, of Finn. She’d been worried since Saturday night to find out if he still kept his job.

She’d wanted to message him countless times, but after Mrs. Waterstone’s threats, Maisie wouldn’t do anything more to jeopardize his standing with the company.

As she waited with the other passengers, her eyes drifted toward Mrs. Waterstone, who stood next to her scrolling husband, her eyes fixed on the pavement. She’d avoided Maisie’s gaze the entire morning. It was just as well. Maisie wanted to avoid her, too. She’d done her best not to allow her anger to fester toward the woman, but seeing her there that morning just reopened the wound.

Who knew, maybe Mrs. Waterstone hadn’t said anything. Maybe Finn was just running late, and all was well.

And yet, as more minutes passed by, words scattered around the group concerning the tardiness of the bus. Joyce, Pearl, and Renee approached her at one point, asking if Maisie knew when Finn would be there, but she merely shook her head in response.