Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Maisie tried to settle her tightening nerves. “Yeah, that was me up there,” she responded lightly, though she felt anything but carefree.
Fiadh smiled. “You did great.”
“Oh, thank you. I was totally out of my comfort zone, as I’m sure you could tell.”
She knew some Europeans weren’t crazy friendly, but after being with Finn’s friends, the conversationalist inside her remained. Anyway, if this was one of Finn’s friends, Maisie was still on trial, right?
Or was Fiadh more than a friend? No, Finn had already clarified that.
“You looked like a natural up there,” Fiadh continued, placing a few of the empty glasses from the table onto her tray. “But that’s easy for anyone standin’ next to Finn. He always helps everyone feel comfortable.”
Maisie nodded, unsure of how to respond.
She looked around the pub, praying Finn would hurry up and rescue her from this encounter. The woman wasn’t cold, by any means, but she certainly wasn’t as approachable as Finn’s other friends .
“So are the two of you together, then?” Fiadh asked.
“Just friends,” Maisie responded for what felt like the hundredth time that night.
The words echoed hollowly in her own thoughts, bouncing untruthfully against her actual desires.
“That’s probably for the best,” Fiadh said.
Maisie wouldn’t rise to the bait the woman was clearly dangling in front of her. Just as she expected, Fiadh continued when Maisie didn’t.
“I’ve known Finn for a long time,” she said. “He’s a difficult fish to reel in all the way. Usually gets off the line quick.”
Maisie simply smiled. “It’s a good thing I’m not fishing, then,” she said simply.
The girl’s smile shifted to one of annoyance, but she said nothing more as Finn reappeared.
“Ready?” he asked, his eyes solely on Maisie.
She nodded, glancing at Fiadh. Finn followed her gaze and surprise registered across his features as he saw the woman for the first time.
“’Bout ye, Fiadh,” he said.
“Great show tonight, Finn,” Fiadh said, her stance shifting as she popped out a hip and balanced the tray with ease on one hand.
Finn nodded with a polite smile. “Tell your da thanks for the venue. Hope he enjoyed it, too.”
She ran her fingers through her hair with her free hand. “He’s always happy to have you sing here. You always bring in the crowds. I noticed you’re not signed up for tomorrow, though.”
“Naw, I’ve got other things to do,” he responded, taking a step closer to Maisie and looking down at her. “Ready?”
Before Maisie could respond, Fiadh spoke again.
“I’ll see you at Dunluce?” she said as Finn inched away, his hand gently guiding Maisie toward the door.
“’Course,” he responded.
“Maybe earlier?” she asked, hopeful .
Maisie looked away, scratching the side of her temple absentmindedly.
“Naw, I’ve got work all week, too,” he said shortly. “See you later, Fiadh.” Then he turned to Maisie. “Let’s head out.”
Maisie nodded, waving goodbye to the woman whose smile had already faded before Maisie and Finn exchanged the warm pub for the cold air outside.
She drew her coat tighter around her, raising her shoulders to warm herself as Finn fastened his own jacket, seeming slightly distracted. She could only assume why.
“You can stay and talk with her if you want,” she said, motioning over her shoulder toward the pub. “Seems like she didn’t get in enough chatting at the ice cream truck.”
He blew out a breath in a hybrid laugh and sigh. “She never gets enough bant.” Then he paused, seeming to regret his words. “Fiadh’s kind. We met a few years ago when her da first let me band play at the pub. He owns it, see. She just won’t take no for an answer, though.”
“Is that a humble brag?” she teased.
His shoulders visibly fell as he relaxed. “I was just hopin’ to see more of that jealousy of yours. It looks good on you.”
“Eh, I’m not the jealous type,” she said casually.
He gave her a look that showed how much he didn’t believe her, and she grinned.
They walked down the street, moving past couples lingering outside pubs with bouncers standing nearby.
“Thanks for walking me back,” she said. “My dad will appreciate it.”
“’Course.”
They continued in silence.
Her hands were in her coat pockets, but she wondered…if she just let her hand out, would he try to hold it? Or had that only been during their singing?
“Tonight was craic,” Finn said, breaking through her thoughts .
“It was,” she responded, fairly certain she knew the meaning of craic now.
“Thanks for singin’ with me,” he stated, still looking forward.
“Of course.”
He fell silent again as they crossed another street together. Why was he acting so strange? Uncomfortable, almost. Was he nervous about something?
“Monday’s a long ways away,” he eventually said.
“It is.” Her heart hammered against her chest. She hoped she was right about where this was leading.
“So I’ve been thinkin’…What if we don’t wait ’til Monday?” He finally looked down at her. “What if we happen to bump into each other again, say, tomorrow evenin’?”
Maisie could hardly breathe. “And just where would we bump into each other?”
“Me ma’s place.”
She laughed, then saw his genuine expression. “Wait, seriously?”
He nodded.
“I’m pretty sure if going out with each other is against the rules, going to your mom’s home definitely is.”
He smiled. “Naw, see. It’ll be the same as tonight. We’ll be with me mates still, but this time, me parents and grandparents will be there, too. That’s absolutely not a date.”
His reasoning was absolutely solid, as if he’d given it a great deal of thought, which only made her smile all the more.
“What’s that look for, then?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing. It’s just entertaining watching you bend the rules.”
He grinned. “It’s a talent I’ve always had, unfortunately.” His footsteps slowed, and she matched his pace until he stopped altogether and faced her. “Really, though, I just thought it would be nice for you to try me ma’s stew. I told her about your restaurant idea and menu, and she’s keen to meet you.”
Nerves swarmed her. She hadn’t really considered what he was proposing. Yes, she would get to see him for longer, but if she thought she’d been on display tonight for his friends, that was nothing compared to his family.
“No pressure, though,” he said.
“You keep saying that,” she returned. “I don’t think you know the meaning of that phrase.”
He laughed, then stared down at her with a focused gaze. “I’d love it if you were able to come.”
How could she say no to that? “You’re sure you won’t get into any trouble?”
“Absolutely.”
His words weren’t as forceful as she’d expected, but she brushed it aside, and in the next moment, nodded. “Okay. I’ll come.”
He smiled in silence, a very Irish smile with no lips, then the two of them continued toward her hotel. By the time they reached there, Maisie had stifled two yawns, and the cold air had reached her bones.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Tomorrow,” he said with a nod. Then he tossed his head toward the doorway. “Now get inside ’fore you fall asleep out here…granny.”
She laughed, then did as she was told, entering the hotel before turning around once she reached inside. She found his eyes still on her, so she waved.
He tipped his head in departure, then walked away, and Maisie stared after him with another untamable grin before making her way to her room.
After a quick shower, she climbed into bed, curled up with her blanket, and nestled into her pillow, ready to sleep on the pleasant dreams Finn’s smiles would surely elicit, only to be nudged awake again by a buzz on her phone.
Instantly, her eyes flew open as she hoped to see a text from Finn, but when Daphne’s name appeared on her screen, her stomach dropped .
Daphne. She’d completely forgotten about Daphne tonight.
Daphne
Things are finally working out here. It really was the best decision for me to come home. I’m positive Mr. Johnson would’ve backed out by now otherwise.
But I am so missing you! Please tell me you’re having a good time.
Maisie reread the text, laying back on her pillow. They’d messaged each other a little bit that morning, Maisie updating her on any potential menu items, but other than that, they hadn’t really caught up since Rathlin Island, when Maisie had had to settle Daphne’s concerns about the bike ride with Finn.
What would Maisie have to say to calm Daphne down if her aunt found out about her time with Finn tonight—and that she was going to his mom’s house tomorrow?
Honestly, Maisie wished she could tell the truth, that she was living out her best life with a tour guide from Northern Ireland who was not only driving the bus, but was also driving Maisie crazy due to the crush she’d developed on him that was growing stronger and stronger by the minute.
But she didn’t want to drag Daphne’s mood down when she seemed positive for the first time in a while.
Maisie
I’m so happy to hear that things are working out. One step closer! I’m having a great time, too! The food today wasn’t great, but I got to see a live band tonight, which was stellar. And yesterday, I went across the rope bridge!
She only had to wait a minute before Daphne responded.
Daphne
MAISIE! Oh my heck, that’s incredible! Never in a million years did I think you would do that.
Maisie frowned, her heart twisting at her aunt’s lack of faith in her. She knew Daphne hadn’t meant to hurt her feelings, but Maisie couldn’t help but compare her words to Finn’s on the rope bridge.
She began to type out a text to share what an incredible experience it had been, cathartic and empowering. Daphne would definitely be proud of her. But when another text from her aunt came in first, she paused.
Daphne
So how’s that bus driver?
Maisie erased the message she’d been drafting. Daphne didn’t care about Maisie’s time in Northern Ireland. The only thing she cared about was Maisie not falling for some tour guide so she could have her little companion back.
Well, there was no avoiding the truth for Maisie any longer. She was falling for that tour guide. And that meant that she needed to tell Daphne about it, to warn her that if it was up to Maisie, the second this tour ended, she’d be going out with Finn, messaging him day in and day out, and planning her next trip back to Northern Ireland the second she finished with the restaurant.
But her fingers refused to type out the message. Instead she tried another.
Maisie
He’s still super fun! Everyone on the tour thinks so.
Three dots immediately popped up.
Daphne
And what do you think of him? Any flirting going on?
Maisie pressed a finger to her temple. Just do it, Maisie. Just do it. She held her breath as she typed out her words.
Maisie
Well, I’m going to his mom’s house tomorrow to try out some stew. And…I really like him.
Her finger hovered above the blue arrow before finally, she sent it. She held her breath for as long as she could. Daphne’s three dots appeared over and over again, but a few minutes passed, then five, then ten, and still, Daphne made no response.
Maisie shook her head in frustration, though really, all she felt was hurt deep inside her heart. She knew Daphne was worried. She could understand that. But why did she ask Maisie for updates if she didn’t really want those updates? And why couldn’t her aunt just accept that Maisie just might want a life of her own?
With another sigh, she silenced her phone and set it on the bedside table, praying for a restful sleep and for the excitement to return from that evening.
She would hang out with Finn tomorrow. She would meet his parents. She would let hope guide her life.
And the biggest hope she was choosing to focus on right now was the hope that she would be able to shed the guilt Daphne cloaked around her for wanting to pursue another dream instead of the one she’d fashioned for Maisie.