Page 86 of Can't Get Enough

“Do you remember what you told me when I was about to ruin everything with Judah because I was so hung up on making sure I had my shit all the way sorted and healed before starting another relationship?”

“Vaguely? I mean, obviously it would have been something brilliant and wise because it’s me,” I joke. “But the specifics are hazy.”

“Well, I remember.” Soledad’s already soft expression goes even softer, even sweeter. “You said Judah might seem to be the wrong person for me. I mean, hedidsend my husband to prison.”

“An act of valor, if you ask me,” I say, and we both laugh.

“So he seemed to be the most wrong person imaginable,” Sol continues, “but you said it sounded like the universe delivered exactly the right one because of how he loved me, understood me.”

“I said that?”

“Sure did, and you know what else you said?”

“Wow, I was really on a roll, huh? What other pearls of wisdom did I drop?”

“You said being whole means acknowledging all our parts. And that there were parts of me that wanted to be held, want to be needed and loved.” She pauses and searches my face. “I know there’s a part of you that wants to be a successful producer, to fulfill those ambitions, but isit at the cost of the other parts? The parts that might want something else? That might wantsomeone? Will you have to sacrifice those other parts for this one?”

I keep my face smooth, but there is a spinning top in my head, scattering my thoughts with every rotation.

“There was one last thing you said,” Soledad continues softly.

“Well, damn,” I say with a shaky laugh. “Did you record this conversation?”

“No, but I replayed it over and over in my head. It was the nudge I needed to pursue the love of my life, so it stuck with me.”

“What did past Hendrix tell you, in her infinite wisdom?”

“You saiddon’t throw it away. Give it a chance.”

I absorb the words, an echo of advice I shared that helped my girl make the right move and choose the true love of her life when her trauma and uncertainty made her hesitate.

“I said that?” I ask after a few seconds of silence. Soledad’s smile is too watery and sweet for my taste so I smirk and say, “Chile, and you listened tome?”

“I’m so glad I did. I didn’t lose my independence or all the things I’d fought to learn about myself when I chose Judah. I was ready for himbecauseof those things.” She leans forward to cover my hand with hers, holding my eyes with the compassion and love in hers. “The right one won’t ask you to give up your dreams, but will care just as much as you do about them.”

Last night, was Maverick asking me to give up my dreams? Or asking to run with me while I chase them?

CHAPTER 27

MAVERICK

The flowers made it.”

Bolt says it from the door of my home office in Malibu. I glance up from the data provided by one of my newest business partners.

“Huh.”

I keep it monosyllabic and hope Bolt realizes no further comment is required. He walks into the office and takes the seat across from me while I clack away on my laptop and email a reply to the partner.

“You mentioned sending them to her mother’s house when she’s there?” Bolt continues.

“Not as many,” I say, still not looking up. “But don’t order them yet. We’ll play it by ear.”

“Do we know where her mother lives? When specifically the surgery is? When Hendrix begins her stay in North Carolina?”

“That all sounds like your job,” I reply with a grin, sparing him a quick glance before returning to my correspondence.

“I guess the bigger question is if you’re sure you know what you’re doing.”

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