Page 42 of Don't Hurt Us
“I'm not your dad,” Maverick says softly.
“I like you better,” Bree mumbles under her breath.“Wait… If you’re dating, does that mean one day you might become my daddy?”
“Bree…” I start, but honestly, I don’t know how to respond to this question.
I’d love it if Maverick and I got married one day.I’d love it even more if he adopted the kids and they could call him dad.They deserve to have someone like him in their lives.Someone better than Rob.
Since we split a few months ago, Rob hasn’t tried to see or talk to the kids a single time.He’s proven time and time again that he doesn’t care about them.I want them to have a man in their lives who loves them as much as I do.
I think Maverick could be that man.
“Maybe.We’d have to get married first,” Maverick says without skipping a beat.
“What are you waiting for, Mommy?”Bree glances in my direction with disappointment clouding her features.
“We can’t just get married, Bree.We need to date for a little bit first.”I sigh.There are going to be so many questions over the next few days, weeks, and maybe even months.
Instead of fighting Maverick to keep things moving slowly, I have a feeling I’ll be fighting all three of them.I’m ok with that though.I'm glad they all want the same thing.I do too, but I'm being more cautious than everyone else.
As soon as the kids stop with the dozens of questions, they both run downstairs to the batting cages and ballet studio.I’m left alone with Maverick.
He holds out his hand and as soon as I take it, he leads me into the living room and pulls me down onto the couch next to him.
“Are you ok?”He asks softly.
“A little overwhelmed.I didn’t expect so many questions, which was probably stupid on my part.”
“Really?I expected more.”He chuckles.
“Oh, I have a feeling they’re coming.Give them a chance to get used to this and they’ll come up with dozens more.”
“But are you happy?”His gaze is focused on our hands.It’s almost like he’s afraid of how I'll respond.
“Happier than I’ve ever been before.”
“Are you sure?”He peeks up at me through his lashes.“Am I pushing for too much, too quickly?”
“I'm positive.And is this moving quicker than I expected?Yes.Am I upset?No.Honestly, I think I need you to push me or I might never take a chance at love again.”
“Does that mean you love me?”He grins, but then shakes his head.“No, don’t answer that.That’s one topic I refuse to push.I don’t want you to say those three little words until you really feel them.”
“How is the bar doing with the dessert pairings?I keep meaning to ask but it’s been crazy around here.”I ask after a few moments of silence.
“It’s been amazing.We sell out before our rush even starts.Brad keeps reminding me to talk to you about increasing the number of desserts we get, but like you said, it’s been crazy.I didn’t want to make anything more overwhelming.”
“You know how you keep telling me to lean on you and let you know when I need help?”I stare into his eyes and after he nods, I continue.“Well, I need the same from you.We’re dating and that means we need to be there for each other.I don’t want you to help me, but keep me in the dark when you need something from me.We’re a team, Maverick.Please tell me what you need.”
“I think we could double our order and still sell out every night.”
“Really?That’s amazing!”
“Mark’s been saying we should do something similar to what you do at the bakery.We should have a small set menu of things people can get every night, and then have a daily special.I don’t know how that would work though.”
“It’s not a bad idea.If you wanted to buy some of those small cast iron pans for cookies, I could give you frozen cookie dough that’s already formed into balls.You would simply place it on the cast iron pan and stick it in the oven.There are a few other things we could probably do, but I’d have to think about it.Some people do the chocolate lava cakes and freeze them until you have an order, then you just heat them up.”
“Can the bakery handle that?”
“Yes.I have three interviews this week for some new staff.I’m hoping all three work out because I could really use the help.”
