Page 25 of Maximum Dare
There wasn’t much to focus on in my life, not really. I just went to work and then came straight home.
But I nodded anyway.
He leaned forward. “These changes in life, the ones that come at you fast, out of nowhere, sometimes it’s the universe sending you in a new direction. Sending you on to something better.”
“To someone better than Nick?” There would never be anyone else like him.
“Someone different.”
I sighed. “Do you want to stay for tea?”
“Thank you, but I have to go.”
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. “Look out for Nick.”
“You know I will.”
“And…thank you for today.”
He rose to leave, and the mattress shifted on my single bed. There was only one pillow—only one was needed.
“It’s time to move on,” he said softly.
“I’ll be fine.”
“Yes. Yes, you will.”
He headed for the bedroom door.
“Wait!” I leaned over one of the boxes and ripped up the sealing tape. Reaching in, I pulled out a shoebox and opened the lid to show Max what lay inside. “Don’t forget Pelé.”
Max looked happy to see him. “You keep him. Unless…”
“Unless?”
“He reminds you too much of…”
I glanced down at Pelé. “He reminds me of you.”
Max’s gaze focused on me, and I saw uncertainty in his eyes.
“I’ll keep him in the box,” I added quickly.
“Daisy, I mean this in the best kind of way…”
I nodded. “No more turning up at inconvenient times.”
His expression softened with relief. “Good. We wouldn’t want to have to put a restraining order on you, Miss Whitby.”
My face blanched.
“Daisy, that was a joke.”
Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze so I wouldn’t have to look at him.
He stepped forward and touched my face, forcing me to look up at him as he traced his thumb along my bottom lip. “Take care of yourself, Daisy Whitby.”
I peered up at the man too tall to kiss, and stared into his deep brown eyes, letting myself draw strength from his kindness.
