Page 78 of IOU

Why did he have to bring up Tucker when we were having such a good time?

“You will do this,” he growls. “Look, Ainsley. Look at the TV. Tell me whatyousee.”

Fine. If it will shut him up, I’ll look.

Hesitantly, I pull my gaze from the floor and find the screen of the TV. Huh. The reflection is me and Maverick, locked together, his hands on my hips, proving strong and imposing.

“I see me,” I tell him softly.

“And?” His voice is approving.

“And I see you.”

“Want to know what I see?” he asks, his voice warmer as his head bows to my ears and speaks the words directly to my heart. “I see a survivor—a force to be reckoned with.”

Chills break along my skin.

“I see a strong and independent woman. One who forgives no matter what she’s been through. The woman in that TV reflection is brave, bold, and full of life.”

His fingers wrap around mine before he repeats the process.

“She’s caring and kind.”

He brings my left hand across my body and places it on the bat.

“Beautiful and funny.”

He turns us to the side, and I stare at our image. His penetrating gaze peering at me through the reflection.

“She cowers to no man.”

His head leans into mine like he can’t get close enough. “She takes what she wants.”

The bat is lifted.

“She’s fucking invincible.”

And then we swing together. Glass and hardware go in all different directions.

“Ahh! You’re right!” I do this little jump in his arms. “This does feel great! Fuck Tucker! And Twatface!”

I turn and face him, and immediately his arms go to my waist. I feel small tucked into his imposing body.

“Thank you for saying all those nice things about me.”

A groan vibrates in his chest. “Shut up.”

“I mean it. It was really sweet.”

He’s just a big old scary teddy bear.

“You deserve to be happy,” he finally says after a moment.

“I am happy.” The words came out before I realized it. “I—” I start to apologize but think better of it. “You know what? I won’t apologize. I am happy. I’m glad Tucker cheated on me. I’m glad he forced me out of my apartment. I’m a better person because of it.”

I hesitate with my last declaration because as scary as Maverick is, I think he gets spooked with too many emotional words. “I’m happy because ofyou. Thank you for being my friend, even if you didn’t want to be.” He rolls his eyes. “And thank you for letting me crash on your couch, eat your food, and pretend to be your roomie even if it’s only temporary, and I owe you like a million firstborns and souls.”

I pull back and flash him a megawatt smile. “You truly are my genie in a bottle.”

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