Jaci turned to see a boy there, deep blue eyes peering at her from underneath a knit gray beanie that only highlighted the color of his eyes. Strands of dark blond hair framed his ears and neck, and he flashed a smile. His eyes crinkled when he did, and Jaci couldn’t help smiling back.
Amanda didn’t even skip a beat as she moved around Jaci to face the boy. “I’m afraid I might need some help getting in touch with my creative side.”
The boy nodded toward the paintings. “There are classes every week,” he said, his lilting English accent perfectly clear. “How long are you here? Perhaps you could take a lesson.”
The deep blue eyes swept toward Jaci again, and she lowered her gaze, then lifted her eyes, unable to keep herself from looking at him.
“A class sounds great,” Amanda said, her gaze flitting from the boy to Jaci. “I didn’t catch your name. I’m Amanda. Are you from here?”
He plopped his hand out. “I’m Finn. You’re here for the tour of the opera house, right?” He checked a watch. “Right on time.”
Mr. Murphy had caught up to them, and he frowned. “We didn’t book a tour.”
“No, that’s okay,” Finn said. “I pick up interested groups here at the plaza. We meet here.”
“I don’t think—” began Mr. Murphy, but Jaci interrupted.
“We were talking about seeing an opera. I think it would be great to tour the opera house. It’s such a beautiful building.” She shot Amanda a look, but she could see that Amanda had already caught on.
“Let’s do it, Dad.”
Mr. Murphy shrugged. “Okay.”
Finn led the way, pointing out architectural trends and speaking of the political history of the square. The whole time, Jaci’s heart pounded harder and harder, thrumming in her chest and throat. The moment of escape couldn’t be far now.
Finn glanced at Jaci, and his mouth curved upward in a teasing lilt. “Judging from how you shiver, you must be cold.”
Jaci didn’t feel cold. She felt sick and nervous and shaky. But she only nodded.
“Here.” Finn shrugged out of his jacket and placed it around Jaci’s shoulders.
She gave him a startled glance and then tried to go with it. “Thanks. You’re very kind.”
Amanda snorted next to her. “Kind?” she mouthed when Jaci looked at her.
Jaci tried again, for Mr. Murphy’s benefit. She flashed Finn a smile. “I’m lucky you found us.”
She glanced at Amanda’s dad, but he seemed oblivious to them, instead asking questions about the opera house. Which Finn answered, proving that not only was he a native, but he was very educated.
They dawdled at the opera house for two hours, during which time Finn moved closer to Jaci until he practically walked in her shadow. Amanda snapped lots of pictures, acting fascinated by the history.
Finn took them to a cafe for lunch and asked them about their home.
“Obviously we’re American,” Amanda said. “From a little podunk town in Idaho.”
“I know you’re American.” Finn leaned across the table and whispered conspiratorially, “Your accent gave you away.”
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“I’m sure you mean our lack of accent,” Amanda said, cupping her mug of hot chocolate. “Because we speak English perfectly.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Not according to my British neighbors in the east.”
Jaci grinned. “He has a point, Amanda. It’s all relative.”
Finn smiled back at her, and when he took her hand under the table, it almost felt natural.
“Hm,” Amanda said thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t mind meeting a few English boys.”
“There are several artists with their work on display here,” Finn said. “I could give you a tour of the Wienachtsdorf.” He caught Jaci’s eye and held her gaze.
“That sounds great,” Jaci said, forcing herself to hold his gaze even though her face grew warm.
“Can we, Dad?” Amanda asked.
He pulled out his phone. “How much do we owe you for the opera house, Finn?”
“The tour is fifteen dollars a person, but you can pay me when we’re done. A tour of the Wienachtsdorf booths is free.”
Mr. Murphy settled back in his chair. “You kids go on. I’ll watch from here.”
“Perfect!” Amanda squealed, pushing out of her chair and flouncing toward the booths on the other side of the plaza.
“Can I show you my favorite?” Finn reached a gloved hand out and took Jaci’s, then guided her down the sidewalk.
Amanda took her phone out and snapped a few more pictures.
“Sure, show us your favorite.” Jaci looked back at Mr. Murphy. His eyes were on the phone, but he lifted them a few times, watching the girls.
They took their time moving around the booths, making a natural progression out of Mr. Murphy’s line of sight. Jaci pulled free of Finn’s grip, and he gestured to the paintings as they walked.
“These are nice,” he said, “but my favorite is an artist around the corner. Walk with me?” His eyes focused on Jaci’s face, serious and intent.
She lowered her gaze and saw his hand was out again. Waiting for her to take it, waiting for her to commit to running away. Her heart gave a deep thump in her chest. Swallowing, she placed her hand in his palm, and his fingers quickly closed over hers.
“Come,” he said, pulling her around the corner.
Jaci’s head snapped over her shoulder and she looked for Amanda. But Amanda quickened her pace, not about to let Jaci out of her sight. Just as she promised.
They turned the corner almost at a jog, and Finn released her hand. He looked at Amanda, and Jaci said, “It’s okay. She knows everything.”
Finn smiled again, and it was just as dazzling as before.
“Then I hope we have done a good enough job to convince you, Amanda.” His arm went around Jaci, pulling her against him. “You should take a picture. Some people will want proof.”
“I’ve already taken several.” She pulled out her phone and stepped back. “One more. Smile, you two!”
Jaci forced her lips upward, the weight of Finn’s arm around her shoulders pulling at her heart. She hoped she looked genuine because her mother was likely to know the difference.
Finn spun her around and dropped a kiss on her mouth. “For good measure,” he said.
Jaci shoved him away. “Completely unnecessary!” She turned toward Amanda, panicking. “You didn’t take a picture of that, did you?”
“Um—” Amanda’s expression was both smug and guilty. “I did. I was just snapping pictures. But it has to be convincing, Jaci.”
“Give me that!” Jaci reached for Amanda’s phone. Real or not, she did not want Ricky to see another boy kissing her.
Finn tugged on her arm. “It’s time.” He nodded toward a dark green car that had pulled up to the curb.
Amanda narrowed her eyes and faced Jaci. “You’re sure that’s him?”
Jaci exhaled and nodded.
Amanda bit her lip, looking just as anxious as Jaci felt. “Good luck, Jaci. What am I supposed to tell everyone, exactly?”
“Stall for time,” Finn said. “When you get back to your father, just tell him I took Jaci to a chocolate shop and we’ll be back in half an hour. Jaci will call you later and embellish the story. If you say too much right now, no one will believe it. Pretend you do not expect her to be gone long.” Finn handed Amanda a small slip of paper. “This is my name and number. He won’t worry for a bit.”
Amanda examined the business card, turning it over in her hands. “This looks legit. Are you really a tour guide?”
“No. But the number works.”
Amanda nodded, though she still looked worried. “I’m not letting her get into that car until I see her father.”
Finn smiled again, though this time it was softer, almost tender. “You are a good friend.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “That one is for you.” Stepping to the car, he opened the passenger door and nodded at Jaci.
An enormous sense of relief washed over her when she saw her father in the driver’s seat. His eyes twinkled with an excited light as he looked at them.
Jaci spun around and hugged Amanda tight. “Take care.”
Amanda didn’t say a word, just squeezed her hard.
“Come, Jaci. Finn, you too,” her father said.
Amanda cleared her throat. “So,” she called out as Jaci stepped into the car, “is Finn your real name?”
He turned from where he held the passenger door. “Yes. Is Amanda yours?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Then until we meet again, Amanda.” He closed Jaci’s door and climbed into the back.
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