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“Your mom’s right,” Dad said, his anger having faded away. “Who knows, maybe having some time alone and finishing up this trip on your own will be just what you need to find that life of yours again.”

“Yeah,” Maisie said, nodding, the motion pumping her full of renewed strength. “Yeah, you guys are right.”

“Of course we are,” Dad said. “We know everything.”

Maisie laughed.

“Just promise us you’ll be safe,” he continued. “And keep us up to date where you are.”

“Of course.”

“And don’t go anywhere with anyone alone. Especially at night or anything.”

“You got it, Dad. Don’t worry. I’m seriously never alone here because of the tour. The whole group is great. All of them are really nice, and the tour guide is”—super hot, attentive, kinda in to me—“really helpful, too.”

“Good,” Dad said.

“More than anything, make sure to have fun,” Mom said, her smile bright again.

“That’s a given,” Dad agreed.

“Well, I’m going to say it anyway.”

“And have zero regrets when you come home,” Dad added.

Maisie smiled again. She had no idea what her parents were going to do once Dad retired. Argue, tease, and love each other all the more, no doubt.

Maisie thanked both of them for helping her, then said goodbye, longing for their loving faces the second she hung up. But she picked herself up again, rehearsing the lines her parents had shared with her.

“Have zero regrets when you come home.”

“Don’t be afraid to live your own life.”

They were right. She could still work with Daphne on the restaurant and enjoy pursuing that dream. But she wasn’t responsible for her aunt’s happiness any more than Daphne was responsible for Maisie’s happiness. They could certainly bring each other joy, and had done so often, but right now, it was time for a little self-love.

Maisie needed to live her own life. Or at least a portion of her own life. And she was going to start that new portion right now in Northern Ireland.

So with a renewed lilt in her step, Maisie did just that.

First, she took the shuttle back to the lower part of the island and stopped at the Boathouse Visitor Centre, watching the seals bask in the sunlight. Next, she stopped at the small, local pub, the Puffin’s Perch, where she ate a meal that wasn’t her favorite, though she still enjoyed the slower pace she was able to adopt.

After regretfully leaving most of the food on her plate, however, Maisie headed outside for the bicycle rentals, relieved that the rain had finally relented. Daphne had told her from the beginning that she wouldn’t go on any bike ride Maisie signed them up for, as she wasn’t much of a cyclist. Maisie wasn’t either, but how magical did a bike ride sound around a mist-filled island?

After a quick chat with the rental man, who’d introduced himself as Eamon, Maisie paid him a few pound notes as he handed over a helmet.

“Havin’ a lovely visit so far?” he asked as he unlocked one of his bikes.

“I am, thank you. It’s a gorgeous island. You must love working here.”

“It’s Baltic, but you can’t beat it. And it’s always lovely to meet all sorts of folk.” He looked up at her with a smile before his eyes focused beyond her shoulder. “Hiya, Finn.”

Maisie’s breath caught in her throat. She turned around just as Finn came up to stand beside her, a small smile on his lips.

He greeted Eamon, then faced Maisie. “Fancy a wee cyclin’ mate?”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Um, yes. Maisie would very much fancy a wee cyclin’ mate.