Page 64 of Falling Stars

Hmm. Maybe Kira really is a nutcase. Mav can usually handle himself. I scramble to think of what to do to help. “I’m going to grab coffee with Mr.Reynolds,” I say.

Maverick nods when he realizes what I’m saying. “That’s a great idea. In fact, maybe bring him back here with you.”

“You got it. Be back soon. Kira, don’t do anything illegal.”

As soon as I get to the elevator, I make the call. When he picks up, I rush to tell him, “Sheriff, I need your help. Maverick has a stage five clinger who won’t leave his condo.”

He chuckles. “Is that what you kids are calling crazy fans these days?”

“Yes, sir.”

He instructs me to wait in the lobby, and he arrives in his cruiser a few minutes later. We’re just about to reach Mav’s floor when I realize I should mention the horrible letter some asshole left on my car when we hear Kira shrieking as the elevator doors open. “How could you trade me in for her? She’s so frumpy.”

Mortified, I freeze as the sheriff knocks on the door. “Maverick, this is the sheriff. Can you let me in, son?”

I stare down at my baggy flannel and old jeans. My face flames. I’ve always been kinda curvy, and I just had a baby a few months ago. No one can expect me to be rail thin like Kira, who’s always so fashionable.

As I think about the women Maverick’s hung around with over the years, I realize they all have something in common. They’re usually tall, slender, and blonde.

Basically, the opposite of me.

From the vestibule, I watch the sheriff escort Kira out of the condo, and I realize it’s smart not to hang my hat on a relationship with Maverick. He’s probably depressed about his rehab, so he’s sitting at home, slumming it with me, and the minute he returns to New York, he’ll be back to banging supermodels.

As if my night couldn’t get any worse, my phone lights up with a call from Sean.

When I don’t pick up, he texts:When can I see Leo???

My fingers fly over the screen.Why? So you can bail again at the last minute?

As irritated as I am with my ex, we’ll eventually work out our custody arrangement, and I’ll have to share Leo. My heart sinks.

23

MAVERICK

When the sherifffinally drags Kira out, I sigh. “My goal tonight was to make you happy and put you in a good mood.”

Baylee looks bone-weary. “We’ve always been bad at being more, Mav. I don’t think that’s changed.” She sets Leo down on a changing pad to get him ready for bed.

Fuck. We had a really good evening. She almost let me kiss her. Frustrated, I run my hands through my hair. “I swear Kira is off her rocker. She and I ended a while back.”

When Bay’s done changing the baby, she lifts him into her arms. “That might be, but I’m glad she stopped by tonight because it got me thinking.”

This can’t be good. I settle on the couch next to her. “Lay it on me.”

“Have you ever noticed that all of your girlfriends are willowy blondes?”

“What?”

“Your girlfriends. They look nothing like me. I mean, it would be one thing if I was your type, but I’m clearly not.”

“What do you mean? Of course you’re my type. You’re the only type I have.”

Baylee rolls her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. I look nothing like the women you date. I can’t believe I’m just now realizing it.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t block yourself off from me more than you already have.”

“Newsflash, Maverick. I’m not a blonde, and I’m not rail thin.”

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