Page 59 of Maverick

Janey squeezes my arm, her voice soft with understanding. "Those are big worries. What's the worst case scenario?"

I've been preparing for that question for the last three weeks, rolling what if's around in my head every night. "I ravish him in the kitchen, then things get really awkward and he asks us to move out. And we end up back at the rescue." Actually, that's not the worst thing in the world. It would be fucking irresponsible to move Nan back there, but maybe Maverick would let her stay, and I could go back to the rescue. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?

I almost miss the look that passes between Bree and Janey. Almost. "What's that look about? What am I missing?"

Bree winces, and she and Janey have a very intense, but silent conversation. Bree shakes her head and flattens her hands on the table. "She should know," she says to Janey. Janey sighs and leans back in defeat. Bree turns to me with a look of intensity. "First, let me say that I don't think Maverick has any intention of letting you go."

"How do you know that?"

"Because there's an empty apartment next to me on the thirty fourth floor, and Maverick wouldn't let anyone mention it. He had us move furniture from it, and a bunch of other places to furnish the rooms you and your Nan are sleeping in. He wanted you with him, not a bunch of floors below."

My brain explodes a little bit. "Are you shitting me?"

Bree snickers. "Nope. For real. He wants you with him. He's not going to send you away. You have to know he's into you, right?"

"He looks at me like I'm an ice cream cone, and he's desperate for a lick, so yeah, I know. I just wasn't going to act on it."

Janey leans forward, her brow furrowed. "So why didn't you act on your feelings, Cady? I mean, it's clear there's something there."

I sigh, my fingers tracing the pattern on the tabletop. "Because I like sex, Janey. A lot. And before I knew who he was, before all of this, I would have gone home with him in a heartbeat and worn the man out." I pause, the words catching in my throat. "But now? Now that I'm getting to know him, really know him? My feelings are all mixed up."

Bree nods, understanding in her eyes. "It's not just physical anymore, is it?"

I shake my head, a rueful smile on my lips. "No, it's not. And I don't think I can do casual anymore, not with him. Not when I'm living in his space, seeing him every day, watching him with Nan." I run a hand through my hair, frustration welling up inside me. "It's too much, too complicated."

Janey reaches across the table, her hand warm on mine. "Oh, honey. I get it, I really do. But have you considered that maybe Maverick's feelings aren't casual either?"

I blink, surprise washing over me. "What do you mean?"

Bree leans in, her voice low and conspiratorial. "We've seen the way he looks at you, Cady. The way he talks about you. It's not just lust, not anymore."

Janey nods, her smile soft and knowing. "He cares about you, deeply. And not just because you're living with him or because of your Nan. He sees you, the real you, and he likes what he sees."

I sit back, my mind reeling. Could they be right? Could Maverick's feelings for me be more than just physical attraction? The thought sends a thrill through me, but it's quickly followed by a wave of uncertainty.

"Even if that's true," I say slowly, "what am I supposed to do about it? I can't just jump into bed with him, not now. Not when there's so much at stake."

Bree shrugs, her smile mischievous. "Who says you have to jump into bed right away? Take it slow, get to know each other better. See where it goes."

Janey nods, her expression serious. "And talk to him, Cady. Be honest about your feelings and your fears. He deserves to know where you stand."

I nod, the weight of their words settling over me. They're right, of course. I can't keep running from this, from him. I need to face it head-on, no matter how scary it might be.

"Okay," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll talk to him. I'll try to figure this out."

Bree and Janey exchange a look, their smiles wide and triumphant. "Good," Janey says, her tone brooking no argument. "And if you need us, we're here. Always. And we both have guest rooms!"

“Actually,” Bree says, “my place is empty most of the time. I’m spending most of my nights with Nick at his place.”

Janey props her chin on her fist, giving Bree a sweet smile. “Things are going well then. Do you think you guys want to make it official one of these days?”

Brees' eyes widen comically. “Like get married?”

“Or just move in together. You’re basically doing that already.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah. Well, he’s mentioned it a few times. But I don’t know.”

“What don’t you know?” I ask, leaning back as the waitress deposits the biggest turkey club I’ve ever seen in front of me. “Thank you!” I tell her, then focus back on Bree. “Do you not want to live with him? You just said you’re already doing it.”

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