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That humor had been her saving grace today. “I’d forgotten what they’d looked like, so you came at the right time.” She motioned to the pillared stones beside her. “Pull up a basalt column, if you’d like. They’re probably more comfortable than the bike seat.”

He gave a little laugh, then hesitated, staring at the open spot next to her.

“You don’t have to,” she reassured him. “Especially if it’s breaking the rules.”

“Nothin’ wrong with talkin’,” he said simply.

That seemed to give him the permission he needed, as in the next moment, he lowered himself on the flat-topped pillar beside her.

She watched from the corner of her eye as he settled down, his knees bent as he leaned forward, propping himself up with his arms resting against his thighs. He laced his fingers together and stared out at the sea.

Maisie couldn’t keep her eyes off of him. He looked like a GQ model, so perfectly he’d posed himself. But then, he was better than a model. He was real. He hadn’t positioned himself to give off his best angles. He’d merely sat down beside her. Her, Maisie King.

But why had he come? To make sure she was okay? Or dare she hoped that it was simply because he’d missed her and wanted to be with her?

They sat in peaceful silence for a moment, the waves rushing toward them one after another, splashing higher and higher up the rocks, though they sat safely out of reach.

“How you farin’?” Finn asked, his eyes still trained on the sea.

“After embarrassing myself, you mean?” she asked. “Better than I probably should be, honestly.”

“I hope you’re not scundered for long. What you did today was more admirable than anythin’.”

“I guess,” she mused. “Honestly, it was just stupid to walk across it in the first place. I don’t know why I did.”

He looked over at her, resting his chin against his shoulder as he leaned slightly forward. “Why did you, then?”

Maisie hesitated, wondering what she’d even say. “Oh, I went because I was feeling sorry for how my life is turning out because I want to be married and have kids so badly that I chose to do something reckless just because I could.”

She liked Finn. But she might just run him off faster by being that open.

Instead, she settled with something safer. “I was just… feeling like I had no control over my life, so I tried to prove to myself that I did.”

He nodded, seeming to understand. “It’s like the quiet part of you—the part that usually remains unheard and ignored—decided to stage a wee rebellion.”

Maisie stared. That was exactly what it was like. “Sounds like you have experience with something similar.”

“Aye, that I do.” His eyes took on a faraway look as he stared at the incoming waves. “The trick is to find out what part of you you’re tryin’ to silence, then listen.”

She hmphed. “Well, I already know what part I’m not listening to.”

He looked over at her again, waiting for her to continue.

“I just don’t know how to manage disappointed hopes,” she began, praying she would be able to articulate her thoughts enough to not reveal too much. “I’ve had this certain dream ever since I was a kid to…to make a life of my own with a family of my own. Each year, I get older and older, and each year, the dream doesn’t happen. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve just given up all hope. It doesn’t help that my life has turned out basically the same as my aunt’s. I’ve just kinda fallen into her dreams and given up mine, you know?”

He nodded, seeming to mull over her words. “And the dream of openin’ up a restaurant isn’t fulfillin’ enough,” he stated.

“No,” she finally admitted aloud. “It’s not.”

“Have you spoken to your auntie ’bout this?”

She glanced at him sidelong. “What do you think?”

He gave a half-smile. “Might help if you do.”

She stared at the pillar her feet rested on, a few spare pebbles gathered in the center where a small puddle remained. She picked up one of the stones and tossed it into the waves. “I know, but that’s easier said than done. She’s got it in her head that we’re gonna spend the rest of our lives together, single and chasing after the next best thing. That life has worked for me for the past few years, but being here…” She paused, wanting to add “with you,” but didn’t. “Being here in this country,” she said instead, “has made me realize that even though I’ve tried my best to ignore my real desires, there’s no fooling myself. Counterfeit dreams are nothing to the ones that reside deep in our hearts.”

She finished, willing her discomfort to remain at bay after sharing such vulnerable emotions.