Page 10 of Don't Hurt Us
As the words tumble from my lips, I feel my cheeks heat.Why am I talking about this with him?
“Oh, yeah?What type of body do I have?”
“A strong one?”I squeak out as I glance at my watch.“I should probably get going.”
I scramble to my feet, knowing my cheeks are probably as red as a tomato.I start tucking the empty boxes in my bag and collecting my things.
“Sydney,” Maverick says softly.I glance over my shoulder to find him standing right behind me.“Don’t go rushing off on me.”
“I-I’m not.I just… kids.”
“Yeah, I know you have kids.”He chuckles softly.“Thank you for your help.”
As soon as I'm finished, he tugs me into his embrace and doesn’t let go for several long seconds.
“Let me walk you to your car.”
“Oh, I'm fine.I'm sure you have to get back to work.”
Before I can stop him, he grabs my bags and waits for me to exit his office, then he follows me out.He doesn’t stop in the bar to see how things are doing or to chat with anyone.His sole focus is on me and nothing else.
As soon as we’re outside, I stare up at the sky and suck in a deep breath.I love the chilly night air and staring up at the stars.
“It smells like snow,” Maverick murmurs.
“It does.Isn't it crazy how the air smells different before a snow storm?”I glance over my shoulder at him and grin.
“What are you doing with the rest of your night?”Maverick opens the back door of my van and places my bags on the floor.
“I don’t know.Probably just relaxing at home.Maybe take a bath.What about you?Do you have to go back in and work?”
“Nah, Harry has everything handled.He doesn’t need my help and we’re not insanely busy on week nights.”
“So, what will you do?”
“Go home to an empty house?Pathetic, huh?”
“I don’t know.A silent house sounds pretty magical.Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids to death, but it drains me constantly having so much noise all the time.Sometimes I wish I could just go away for the weekend by myself… But then I feel like a horrible mother for even thinking that way.”
“You’re not a horrible mother.You’re an amazing mom.Just because you feel overwhelmed doing it all by yourself doesn’t make you horrible.Honestly, I think it makes you even more amazing because you are doing it by yourself.You’re a rock star, Syd.”
Before I can stop myself, I throw my arms around Maverick and hug him again.I hold onto him for longer than is probably acceptable and even then, I don’t want to let go.
“Do you want me to deliver your order every morning?”
“Nah, I’ll stop by the bakery on my way to the bar each day.It’s not a problem.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have a good night, Syd.”
I climb inside my van and as soon as the door is shut and the engine roars to life, I pull my phone out of my purse and call Stacy.
“Hello?”
“I think Maverick was flirting with me,” I blurt out without saying anything else.
“Um, hello to you too, Sydney.No, no, I'm not busy at all.I have all the time in the world to talk.What are you up to tonight?”I can hear the smirk in her voice and it makes me chuckle.
