"Uh…you mean you?" I couldn't help but wince. "Because honestly…I don't want to take sides."
My gaze drifted to Mister Wall Street who eyed me like the most "helpful" thing I could do was throw myself off the dock.
The tourist said, "No one's askin' you to. We just want a second opinion, that's all."
My mouth twitched. Call me silly, but I had to say it. "Don't you mean a third?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "What?"
I smiled. "I mean, there's two ofyoualready, so I'd be number three."
Under his breath, Wall Street muttered, "Oh, for fuck's sake."
I dropped the smile and gave the guy a sharp look. His jawline was strong and angular, accented by a light layer of stubble – just enough to add an edge without looking unkempt. Even so, his dark brown hair looked slightly tousled, probably from the wind during the ferry ride.
No surprise there.
Whatdidsurprise me were his steely blue eyes. They looked far too shrewd for my own good, and I had the sudden sense that he knew exactly what I was thinking.
If so, that made one of us, because under his silent scrutiny, I could hardly think at all – especially when his frown deepened into something that might be called a scowl.
Suddenly, I was rooting for the tourist, who just then, startled me with a loud guffaw. With his free hand, he slapped his thigh and chortled, "Good one."
I shook my head. "Sorry, what?"
"Your joke," he said with a toothy grin. "I'm just saying, it wasreallygood. A third opinion – heh. Clever, too. I can tell you're a smart one."
Wall Street turned his scowl on the tourist. "You're just sucking up."
Looking slightly shifty, the tourist asked, "Why would I dothat?"
"So she'll take your side.Obviously."
At this, the tourist actually blushed. He reached back and rubbed the back of his neck as he mumbled, "Saysyou."
I felt heat rise to my own cheeks, because let's face it, the jokehadbeen pretty corny.
But then I perked up. I had just realized something. I didn'thaveto take sides. I just had to be logical. With sudden inspiration, I strode forward, eager to help.
On the downside, I couldn't even feel smug. My idea was so basic, it was surprising that neither of the guys had thought of it themselves.
I almost smiled. This would take all of two minutes, maybe less. And I wouldstillmake it to work on time.Easy, peasy, right?
Wrong.
No easy.
No peasy.
Just a whole lot of grief.
2
Tall, Dark, and Difficult
Maisie
After hearing my suggestion, neither man looked happy. On the deserted ferry dock, they both stared at me for a long, tense moment until the tourist broke the silence by asking, "You want us towhat?"
