Page 86 of Maverick

“You’re right. I’ll do that. I’ll call him later and tell him we need to talk.”

“Are you sure you want to be here?”

“Yes, please.”

“Alright. Let me get my coat off and we can get to work, though with the snow, I doubt we have very many customers.”

At noon, Parker sent Maverick a text. Yeah, she knew it was the coward’s way, but she was afraid if she heard his voice, she’d never get the words out.

Hey, are you busy?

I’m always busy but never too busy for you. What’s up?

That, at least, made her feel better.

Can we get together tonight? I think we need to talk.

About?

Us.

Okay. I can come by tonight around six.

Alright. I’ll see you then.

Yes, ma’am.

She was hoping to see ‘I love you’, but he didn’t tell her. A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought about losing the best thing to ever happen to her.

****

Maverick drove his truck down the alley and parked beside the steps. Ice pinged on the roof of the cab, and he hoped he didn’t fall down those stairs and bust his ass. Freezing rain started an hour ago and everything was covered with a sheet of it.

He sighed as he opened the door, stepped out, closed the door, then carefully made his way up the stairs, holding onto the banister.

“Fuck, it’s cold,” he murmured.

He reached the stoop and knocked on the door. When it opened, he was surprised to see the tears on her cheeks.

“What’s wrong?”

“Come inside.”

“Okay.” He wiped his feet on the welcome mat, removed his hat, and entered the apartment. “Should I take off my coat?”

“Yes, of course.”

He nodded as he hung his hat up, then removed his coat and hung it on the hall tree. He turned to look at her.

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“If you don’t mind. It’s damn cold out with freezing rain.”

“It’s no problem. Please sit and I’ll make it for you.”

Maverick sat on the sofa and couldn’t figure out what was going on with her. Maybe she’d been crying over her grandfather. He knew she was still having a hard time with his death.

She brought his coffee to him, handed him the cup, then sat on the sofa beside him.

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