Page 79 of Where You Left Me

“You know I had to tell Cammie about this,” he calls as he pulls a part out of the back.

“Suppose that’s fine,” I grumble. “Doubt she’ll ruin the surprise for Mia.”

Maverick rounds the front of the Jeep and strolls into the garage. He hands me the part and I take it over to the counter.

“Thanks, man.”

“I sure hope it works,” he says, propping his hands on his hips.

“You and me both.”

Leaning against the counter, Maverick is quiet while he watches me get to work.

After putting my mask back on, I attach the part with the electric gas and brake to the metal bar that I already affixed to the smaller wheels. But I was missing a stabilizer bar that Maverick found for me at the hardware store. The part welds together nicely.

“Looks promising,” Maverick says as he bends and studies the device.

“You wanna be my guinea pig?” I waggle my brows.

“Hell yes,” he says.

I leave the part on the concrete floor while I search through my tools for a wrench. “I need to double-check the bolts are all tightened.”

“Is Mia here?” Maverick asks.

“Nah. I told her to stay at her parent’s tonight. Didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“Has she been staying here most nights?” Maverick rubs at the back of his neck.

I cock a brow at him but shrug. “I guess.”

He blows out a breath and paces the garage.

“Why?”

“What’s gonna happen when she leaves? Because she is going to leave. She’s told Cammie as much. Just today in fact.”

Heat unfurls in my chest. “What do you mean, what’s gonna happen? I’m gonna keep running the bar. Keep living.”

“So you’re telling me you’re gonna be fine with her leaving. Again?” he reiterates the last part.

Annoyance prickles my skin and I try to focus on the wrench in my hand while I tighten a bolt. “Yeah. Fuck. Maverick, what is this?”

“This is me checking on you. I’m worried about you.”

“Well, fucking quit it.” I toss the wrench onto the counter and Maverick shoots a glare at me.

“I’m just trying to be a good friend here. If you’re fine and you’re gonna be fine then I guess I’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“It doesn’t matter. Because I don’t have a fucking choice. Do I?”

Maverick scratches his beard while he purposely makes eye contact with me. “You do have a choice. Have you tried asking her to stay?”

Heartache throbs in my throat. I squeeze my eyes shut. “What’s the point? She’s made up her mind. She’s had a plan since before she even got here.”

“Fuck that. You should know plans mean jack-shit. Life happens. Sometimes you gotta roll with it.”

“She’s gotta stay because she wants to stay. Not because I’ve guilted her into it.”

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