Page 24 of Maverick

"Aw, fuck," I mutter, staring down at the urine-covered poop.

Cadence chokes, but doesn't laugh, and like it's no big deal, reaches down and scoops up the poop. I'm simultaneously impressed that she handles the problem so easily, and okay, a little grossed out, too. There's a little embarrassment in there as well, but I'm going to shove that shit down.

"I take it you never had a dog?" she asks, casually tying off the bag and letting it dangle from her fingertips as she turns and begins the walk back to the squat building in the distance.

I scoop up Terry, making sure to keep his ass end far away from me, hold the hand with the poop bag on it far away from me, and jog to catch up. "No, I didn't have any pets."

"Allergies?"

"No. Nothing like that. I asked a few times, but we couldn't afford it. My mom didn't have the time or the energy to take care of anyone but me."

She hums, staring ahead. "I lived with my grandparents. I had lots of animals."

"It's nice they let you."

"Yeah, it is. They let me bring home every animal I found. Most of them were released or sent back to their owners, but a few stuck around."

"I can picture it. Little blonde headed Cadence nursing raccoons back to health."

She grins at me, tossing her head. "Dirty brown-headed. I've only been a blonde for a few weeks."

I peer at the top of her head, trying to spot the roots. "Oh, right. I see. Maybe that's why I didn't recognize you when I saw you at the club last week."

"Yeah, that's why. It has nothing to do with the copious amounts of liquor you consumed before you came to my rescue the first time."

"Ah, right. That might have something to do with it. In my defense, we were celebrating." Colton's excitement over convincing his brother John to apply for parole was infectious. So we cracked a bottle. Or four. "Why did you change your hair?" Her hair could be grey, and it would still be fucking stunning. Terry squirms and I put him down, leaving him to sniff anything he wants.

"Trixie gave me a little tip. She told me blondes with wild hair get bigger tips. The wild hair part I had, the blonde was an easy enough investment to make after the first few shifts. I gotta hand it to you, boss. Your customers are great tippers and from what Trixie says, that's thanks to you."

I shrug and carefully peel the bag off my hand and tie it in a knot. That hand still feels wrong. I need to bleach it before I even think of touching anything or anyone.

"When we cleaned it up, we were able to attract a different clientele. Beautiful women, good food, strong drinks. That's the magic formula."

"And the fact that a man as wealthy as you are owns it? Or that a bunch of billionaires hang out there? That doesn't have anything to do with it?"

"Coincidence."

She snorts adorably. "Sure it was."

We're almost back. Nick and Bree wave at us from the back door, and I panic. I'm not ready to walk away from her yet. I didn't get enough time. I need more.

Pushing the gate closed behind us, I make my move. "So we're all grabbing some food next. I thought you might want to come with us?"

She pauses, hands on the padlock on the gate. Snapping it shut, she gives me a look. "I don't think I can, I…"

"I'm buying," Nick says, winking and throwing an arm around Bree's shoulders. "You work too hard Cady. You need a break."

Cady. I like that. It suits her. I nod and mentally will her to accept Nick's offer. I get her not wanting to spend money, especially if things are as tight as everyone's saying, but I need her to come.

"My Nan's supposed to be back soon, and we usually eat together."

"Why doesn't she come? Where is she?" Bree asks.

I love Bree.

Cady unclips the dogs, puts them in their little rooms, and hangs up the leashes. I don't know where the bag of poop is, but it doesn't matter. She moves to that little kitchen area, andwashes up. I follow, tucking myself next to her, but not close it would be creepy. When she arches an eyebrow at me, I lean over and pump some soap into my hands too.

"You should come. We'll go somewhere casual. And your…Nan would be more than welcome."

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