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Daphne

I’m sure it’ll be great! How was the group?

Ooh, and that cute tour guide?

Maisie could see her fishing from an ocean away. But she’d set Daphne’s mind at ease.

Maisie

The group is awesome as usual. I went out on a bike ride that was awesome. I didn’t spend much time with Finn.

She paused. That one was a flat-out lie. She deleted the text, wondering how to tread this very fine line between choosing to live her own life while still caring for Daphne’s happiness.

Whatever she did, she certainly wasn’t going to tell her about the crush Maisie was most definitely beginning to develop on the oh-so-attractive-and-flirtatious tour guide.

She may be directly avoiding the issue, but frankly, Maisie wasn’t ready to confront the matter headlong.

Maisie

The group was as nice and welcoming as yesterday. And Finn actually went on the bike ride, too, so that was nice to have some friendly company.

There. That was a great text. Straightforward. Nothing for Daphne to overthink. Nice use of the word “friendly.” And most importantly, no lies.

She sent it, then watched Daphne’s conversation dots disappear and reappear three times over. Maisie’s stomach scrunched tighter and tighter until she glanced at the time at the top of her phone.

Her insides drooped. She was going to be late.

She jumped out of bed, scrambling her things together as she read another text.

Daphne

So you went on a bike ride with Finn alone? Okay…tell me more.

Yeah. No thanks.

Maisie

For sure! It might have to be later, though. I’m running late, so I gotta go. Good luck with the meeting. Keep me updated!

When in doubt, she always redirected Daphne’s attention back to the job. That usually worked.

Daphne

I will. I’m already there, too, so this was good timing. Good chatting with you, hon. Miss you!

Maisie

Miss you, too!

Maisie slipped her phone in the pocket of her soft yellow dress, then ran around the room as swiftly as possible, getting ready at the speed of sound before sprinting from the hotel room.

Checking the time, she would only be about four minutes late. That was fine, right? Maybe Mrs. Waterstone would be complaining about Trifle again, then Maisie could just slip in behind her once more.

All hope fled, however, when she neared the bus and caught Finn’s watchful gaze from where he sat on the seat, Mrs. Waterstone nowhere in sight. A glint flashed in his eye, and just as she reached Bob, the doors closed shut.

She laughed in surprise. “Hey! Let me in!”

He shook his head, silently tapping a finger to the watch on his wrist. “You’re late,” he mouthed out.