Page 38 of Want You Back

“Are you worried what she’ll think about you dating a man?” Maverick stepped around me to peer more closely at my face. “Or dating period?”

“Both. Mainly the last one.” I pursed my lips, considering. “She’s been through a lot the past few years.”

“You both have.” Maverick pitched his voice reassuring, but it didn’t soothe my restless nerves.

“Yeah, but she’s just a kid.” I paced away from the door. I already knew I was playing with fire where Maverick was concerned, but I couldn’t stand the idea of anyone else getting burned. “I wouldn’t want her getting attached. It’ll be hard enough on her when Hannah leaves.”

“I don’t want either of you getting hurt.” Maverick kept a patient tone as he followed my pacing. “And for what it’s worth, I took Hannah to the school district office today. I’m trying to convince Faith to let her do the school year here. Faith hasn’t found a way out of the will yet. Hannah needs to know where she’s going to school next month. And I need to be able to keep a close eye on Hannah. I can’t do that if they’re in Houston.”

“Willow would love it if Hannah could do school here.” I stated the obvious rather than let my thoughts drift to Maverick and what it might mean for us.

“And you?” Maverick prodded, not accepting my dodging of the issue. “Any objections if I ride the year out, see what happens?”

“No.” I swallowed hard. Maybe Hannah wasn’t the only one with hopes I was protecting. I darted into the kitchen to grab the small cooler I’d packed and my truck keys. “We should get going if we want to be back before the girls finish babysitting.”

“Where are we going with this picnic?” Maverick asked as we climbed into the truck. Thankfully, he allowed me to drop the subject of dating, and some of my earlier happy mood crept back as I headed out of town.

“You’ll see.” I wasn’t purposefully heading to our old spot, but somehow, all roads out of town seemed to lead me in that direction. I needed a dark sky and middle-of-nowhere vibes, but I could do without the barrage of memories of driving these roads with Maverick back in high school. At least the late summer sunset was spectacular over the red rocks and vast landscape as we left the town behind. Probably sensing I wasn’t in a talkative mood, Maverick played with my stereo until he found a song he liked. I groaned. “Still have the same terrible taste in music.”

“Says the guy who once argued that country and western are two different genres.” Maverick laughed lightly. “And I think you always secretly liked my pop choices.”

“More like put up with you and the music both,” I grumbled, not wanting to reveal that it had been him I’d secretly liked, not the music. After he left, I hadn’t been able to listen to any of the songs he’d played while we’d driven around. I’d managed to avoid pop until Willow got into music more recently, and even now, certain songs could take me right back.

I found a spot that would do for my purposes. The stars weren’t out yet, but I hadn’t wanted to wait too late as we had limited time while Tiffany and her husband were at dinner and an event in Durango.

After I parked, I hopped out and began assembling the surprise, starting with the portable screen and small generator. Maverick watched me inflate a camping mattress in the truck bed, add the pillows I’d grabbed from around the house, set all the snacks within grabbing distance, and rig the portable screen on the tailgate.

“It’s kind of a corny idea, but I did this for Willow and some of the cousins a while back,” I explained as I worked. “Like our own personal drive-in.”

“I love it.” Maverick smiled broadly, eyes sparkling, delight seeming genuine. “Thank you.”

Maverick climbed into the truck bed with me, arranging himself in the center of the mattress. He looked completely comfortable, much of his tension replaced by his eager grin. I’d done that simply with my silly idea. Something pinched deep in my chest. I worried so much over Willow’s heart, but maybe I needed to worry more about mine. I couldn’t go handing it over to Maverick, not again. But then he patted the spot next to him, and like an invisible rope was reeling me in, I went.

“I picked that newer action movie with the Navy SEALs versus an alien invasion.” I fiddled with the screen as I cued the movie. “Looked like enough speeding and explosions to satisfy you.”

“I’ll watch whatever.” Maverick didn’t seem particularly interested in the movie choice or the food I’d brought as he snuggled into my side. “We never had the whole go to the movies or drive-in and sneakily make out high school experience.”

“Is that you asking for a kiss?” I figured we’d end up making out at some point, although before the opening credits was speedy even for Maverick.

“Well, if you’re offering…” He winked. Yep, no way were we watching a second of this movie.

Chapter23

Maverick

I was charmed,well and truly smitten with Colt’s homemade drive-in date. I’d been lucky enough to attend some Hollywood premieres, yet those black-tie affairs couldn’t compare with the sweetness of Colt’s efforts. However, now that we were alone, not even any cows in sight, I was far more interested in him than the food or movie. Colt, however, didn’t seem inclined to hand out the kiss I’d been angling for.

“We’re not going to watch the movie, are we?” he groaned. Colt could be hard to read at the best of times, and I wasn’t sure whether he was actually put out or teasing about my impatience. Either way, I didn’t want to be rude, and I also wanted to respect the pace he needed.

“You did go to a lot of trouble.” I stopped trying to snuggle him and turned my attention back to the opening of the movie, where the oblivious military eye candy was sitting around the base, unaware of the alien threat lurking. “I’ll behave. Hands to myself.”

“Ha.” Colt tossed an arm around me. Continuing to show my appreciation for his efforts, I looked over his snack selection of deli meats, cheeses, crackers, popcorn, and movie theater-style candy boxes. I snagged a few peanut M&Ms and a handful of popcorn before relaxing back into his embrace.

“See? I’m even enjoying your snacks.” I popped an M&M in his mouth. “This was a really nice idea, Colt.”

“Thank you.” His eyes were soft and kind, and if he didn’t kiss me soon, I might die. And then he did, leaning in for the sweetest kiss of my life, and I nearly expired for other reasons. When he kissed me, my skin always seemed to crackle, every nerve ending turning on, waiting for the next bit of contact, a whole-body vibration.

Colt lingered, one chocolatey kiss turning into two. He held me so carefully that my chest ached and my eyes burned. Core memory, unlocked. Add tonight to the list of nights with him I’d never forget.

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