"But you just said – "
"Yeah. I know. She loved it in the summer, but hated it for the rest."
The more she talked, the more I wanted to know. "How about you? Doyouhate it after summer?"
"Well…it's nice to get away for a week or two during the winter, but if you want the truth, I like the variety – and not just because of the weather."
I smiled. "Yeah?"
"Yeah, the island gets really quiet when the season ends, and it's pretty awesome, actually. Don't get me wrong. I love the buzz of spring and summer. But after that? I don't mind the slowdown. Honestly...it's kind of cozy."
I didn't say anything, but yeah, I could see it. In my head, I had visions of me and Maisie by the fire, just hanging out or whatever. The thought warmed me more than it should have.
Abruptly, Maisie stopped and turned to face me. "But what aboutyou?"
I wasn't sure what she meant. "Whataboutme?"
"Well…I've been going on about myself, but we haven't talked about you at all."
I smiled. "That's not true. We talked about me plenty while we ate."Was I exaggerating?
Maybe a little.
Other than a quick rundown of my early life – single mom, growing up in a trailer, not having much money – I'd said very little in spite of Maisie's gentle prying.
But I was liking it this way – and I had a sneaking suspicion that Maisie liked it, too. I couldn't help but notice that she'd seemed a lot more comfortable after learning I hadn't grown up rich.
I would come clean eventually, but for now, I was liking this too much to rock the boat.
She beamed up at me. "I still can't believe you packed us lunch. It was so sweet."
Sweet? Holy hell.I'd been called plenty of things in my life, but never sweet. Okay, my mom had said it a time or two, but that was different.
Now, I didn't know what to say. I shrugged like an awkward teen. "They were just sandwiches."
"They were not." She gave me a teasing nudge. "They were the best sandwiches, ever."
We'd eaten them within view of Arch Rock – a giant loop of stone rising from the trees like a postcard come to life. Maisie had been so delighted with my surprise lunch, you would've thought I'd taken her to the nicest restaurant in town.
Now, as she smiled up at me, I couldn't help but compare her to the woman I'd taken out in the city. Sure, most had been nice enough, but not like Maisie – who was more thrilled with a sandwich than my last date had been with filet mignon.
I smiled at the possibilities. "Just wait 'til I get you something better." I could already see it, wining and dining Maisie like she really deserved.
She laughed. "Thereisnothing better." Then she stood on her tiptoes and kissed me so sweetly, my heart warmed in the cool afternoon. Somewhere deep inside me, the kiss – hell,allofthis – felt like coming home to a place I hadn't realized I'd been missing.
Maisie – she was something special.
Unfortunately for both of us, I wasn't the only guy who thought so.
45
What Kind of Party?
Maisie
I was crouched behind the counter when the bell on the door jingled with the arrival of a new customer. I abandoned my search for blank rental forms and popped up to greet them, only to feel my greeting die on my lips.
Shit.It was Devon, looking just as polished as the last time I'd seen him. That was when? Maybe ten days ago? Regardless, it wasn't long enough.
