Page 110 of Wild Love
“I’m so glad. Now you can move here, and I’ll have a friend.”
“A friend you haven’t seen in almost two months even though she’s been forty-five minutes away.”
“I know. I’m sorry. We have been so busy at the rink and…” She smiles. “Just hanging out at the new apartment.”
“How’s living together?”
“Amazing.” She gets that dreamy look on her face. They’re so in love.
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” She leans forward with her elbows on the table. “Now. I’ve waited an appropriate amount of time before harassing you for details, but spill! What is going on with you and Maverick?”
My eyes fall to the red rubber band looped around my finger, and I curl my hand so it’s out of view. “We’re hanging out.”
“Is it still just for the summer, or are you thinking it could be more serious?”
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. I consider telling her about the wedding, but I just can’t bring myself to say the words.Oh, hey, Johnny and I got married on a whim in Vegas.Seriously, who does that with a guy she’s just hooking up with for a summer?
“He’s totally smitten. I could see it all over his face.”
“He does seem to be, but, come on, it’s Johnny. He lives in the now.”
“You don’t think he could do a real relationship?”
“I don’t know, and if I asked him that, he’d be like, this is real, baby.” I roll my eyes but smile. “Everything is real to him. He’s unconventional and spontaneous, and I love that about him, but I’m not. I like traditional. It’s how I always pictured it. Plus, I’m going back to Valley, and he’s going to be here and traveling. It would be hard.”
“But not impossible.”
“You were supposed to be the other levelheaded one of the group,” I tell her. “You’re as bad as the other two now.”
She grins. “I can’t help it. Love—”
“Changes people?”
“I don’t think we change so much as we realize what it is we really care about. Everyone has their quirks. You have to figure out your deal breakers.” She tips her drink toward me. “You like traditional, but is spontaneous and unconventional enough to make you walk away from someone you love?”
“Apparently not,” I mutter as I turn the glass in my hands.
“So you do love him then?”
“He’s Maverick. Everyone loves him. You should see the people at the Wildcats. Most rookies walk in needing to prove themselves, or that’s what my friend Reese says, he’s another intern, but Johnny just stepped right into a team that is so excited to have him. He has this effect on people where they change their expectations for him. Without even meaning to, I think. He’s charming and fun, and people want to like him and be near him. Me included.”
“And we all thought you were immune to the Maverick charm.”
“He chipped away at my better judgment.”
“Or maybe you realized that your better judgment was getting in the way of you being deliriously happy?”
“It was a fun summer. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
“Okay. But I’m rooting for you two, just so you know.”
Johnny and Rhett join us a few hours later. Rhett and Sienna go to the bar to get drinks, and Johnny crowds in beside me, resting an arm around the back of the booth. It’s weird not touching him in public after letting our guard down so much in Vegas, but in here, people would definitely notice if we showed any signs that we’re together.
“Did you tell her?” he asks.
“No.” I shake my head, expecting disappointment to be etched in his features, but instead it’s relief.
