Page 80 of Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places
“Oh.” She began to melt as she mentally connected the dots.The house noticed everything. It must not have needed to have access to someone’s mind to create a scent if that someone unintentionally gave it enough information to work with. Hennessee had Maverick’s number too—probably from the very moment he met Lucky.
He handed her a coffee and a single-stem flower. “Cinnamon latte with foam and cinnamon sugar. Pink peony because of your name.”
Her favorite drink, which she’d told him, and she honestly didn’t have a favorite flower. But eventually, hopefully, she would. Not that one, though. “Thank you. Where’s Rebel?”
“Afraid you were no match for going to the movies with Riley and his mom.”
She gasped. “The betrayal.”
“The first time she chose hanging out with Riley over me I was so hurt.” He laughed as he reached for her waist. “It’s a good thing.”
“Mmm, is that what you keep telling yourself?” She draped her arms around his shoulders, following his lead as he pressed her against the gazebo post.
“Every time.”
He was still smiling as he kissed her.
Was kissing supposed to make her feel so…giddy? It’d never happened before.
They’d been pleasant enough, fine as long as they weren’t too wet, but she never got excited about them. Didn’t eagerly look forward to them either.
Kissing Maverick was…she didn’t evenknow.
“We’re gonna be late,” he whispered in between kisses at her jaw.
He was always the one to stop first. He had more control or didn’t feel as intensely as she did. Both were possible.
Gengar had fallen asleep peacefully on the bench next to where she’d sat. “It’s me,” she crooned. She rubbed between his ears—the one place he tolerated being touched. “We’re going to your appointment now. We have to make sure your little body is doing okay and get you groomed. I’m going to pick you up now.”
Maverick grabbed the open-top cat carrier from its hiding place. He also put on thick gloves, up to his elbows, in case Gengar woke up and lashed out.
Lucky carefully curled her hands under him.
He growled softly but remained asleep.
“I got you. Don’t worry. I’m gonna take good care of you.”
He growled louder but it cut off, suddenly transforming into a rumbling purr. She held him loosely against her chest and five seconds later, he was nestled into the soft blanket fort inside the carrier.
Maverick said, “That wasn’t so bad.”
“If you see me crying in the car, mind your business,” she said. “Did you hear him purring?”
“You are my business.” He kissed her forehead. “I told you he loves you.”
The vet appointment would take at least an hour, longer if they needed to sedate him again. Before they left, the doctor checked for a microchip, but Gengar didn’t have one. Lucky signed up immediately, listing herself and Xander as the owners and Hennessee House as his address.
Maverick frowned. “Did you ask him about that first?”
“Sure didn’t.” She grinned. “I hope it annoys the hell out of him.”
“What is it with you two?”
“It’s like we bring out the petty in each other. He makes me want to fight him but in a good way.”
Was it because he was a skeleton?…Maybe.
Yes. Whatelsewas she supposed to do? He neededlove. She’d taken a page from Georgia’s book, deciding to become the annoying younger sister to her adored eldest.
