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You mean we don’t even get a peek at her?

Finn

Naw.

Cedric

Can’t you at least sneak a picture of her? Send it over to us?

Finn laughed at the back of his throat at the suggestion. Aye, that wouldn’t be creepy at all.

His eyes found their way to Maisie as she stepped over a reflective puddle at the edge of the avenue. Her gaze was focused upward on the shadowy branches of the trees reaching heavenward with craggily arms.

He hadn’t been lying. His friends would never meet her. What was the point in showing off a woman who wasn’t his? Anyway, with his family as his priority, he had to stick to the rules this time. Unless he found a way to work around those rules that didn’t put them at risk, he and Maisie would remain solely as driver and passenger.

But that didn’t mean he couldn’t talk to her.

So, ignoring his friends’ messages once again, he slipped his phone into his pocket and headed toward Maisie.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Did you get your obligatory photo yet?” Finn asked as he approached Maisie.

He didn’t miss the brightening of her eyes as she turned toward him. “Yeah, Pearl took it for me.”

Hmm. That was disappointing. He’d missed his chance to have the excuse to stare at her without being creepy. “Doesn’t she know I’m the designated photographer? What am I to do with me life if she’s takin’ over me photo responsibilities and you’re takin’ over entertainin’ on Bob?”

“Yeah, you don’t have to worry about that happening,” she said. “I’m never going to be late again.”

“That’d be a shame. Your voice is lovely.”

She stared, as if trying to decide if he was teasing her or not, so he gave a reassuring nod. The humble smile she delivered in return sent a warmth straight to his soul.

“Thanks,” she said softly.

Their eyes met, and an energy passed between them, snapping and crackling like electrical currents, pulling his spirit closer to hers.

He shouldn’t be doing this, staring at her, admiring her, giving her compliments. Not when it resulted in his will being thrown out the window.

Fortunately, she seemed to have more strength of mind than he did, as she was the first to break their contact. The energy between them vanished, dissipating into the air around them like flecks of dust in the sunshine, and he was left to pick up the pieces of his determination that had been pulled away from him in a flash.

He really didn’t have the time or energy to deal with this—the repercussions of allowing himself to dwell on his attraction to her. It certainly wouldn’t help him to focus on his family, nor would it lead to any good, what with the physical distance between where they lived and their oh-so-different lives.

“Have you gotten a photo here yet?” she asked next.

He wasn’t away in the head enough to think their connection had been one-sided, but she appeared utterly unphased.

“Aye,” he responded. “A long time ago. I used to come with me parents when I was a wee lad.”

“But not a recent one?”

“Naw,” he said, still bringing his mind up to speed.

“If you ask me, that’s all the more reason to take one now.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’m more than happy without one.”

“Come on,” she pressed. “Imagine how much your mom would love it. Ooh, like those photo recreations, you know?”