Page 49 of Best Part of Me

The shower isn’t as glorious as yesterday’s, the water pressure about as weak as at Chris’s place. My heart jolts with the blaring thought. As each day passes, I think of Chris less and less. It’s only a flicker here and there, or a text from him that draws my brain back to how things were only days ago.

Google Maps informs me the drive to the entrance of Death Valley National Park is about four and a half hours. The plan is to stop at the viewpoints along the way, so I don’t expect we’ll reach the campground till the end of the day. Typically a man of few words, I ask Maverick about his job since his promotion. I coax him to give me details.

I can tell when Maverick reaches his word count for the day. I take the hint and stop asking him questions. But the boredom of being in the car so much over the last three days has me rummaging around in the glove box of the Jeep. There’s an old pair of aviator sunglasses that I try on and flash a smile at Maverick. He smiles and shakes his head at me like I’m too much but not in a bad way, instead in an enamored way, and warmth expands in my chest.

There’re pens, Sharpies, an empty notebook, ChapStick, a lighter, and a map of the US. The map intrigues me, and I take it out, unfolding it slowly as I study it. It’s strange to think about, and I’m a little embarrassed to admit to Maverick that I haven’t looked at many maps. In today’s age of Google Maps and technology, I haven’t needed one.

“Do you mind?” I gesture my chin at the map.

“Be my guest.”

I unfold it all the way, and its vastness surprises me. It stretches across my lap, reaching from my door and all the way to Maverick. The details of it fascinate me. I move my finger along the squiggly line reflecting the highway, trying to make my way to where we are now.

“I’m surprised you have this.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, it’s been in there for a while. I’ve never used it.”

“Then what’s it for?”

“Backup. Ya know, if I’m on the road and don’t have service on my phone.”

“Smart.”

“Yeah...” he opens his mouth like he wants to elaborate but then thinks better of it.

On instinct, I want to pry. But I don’t. Maverick has opened up to me more than he ever has since I’ve known him. I don’t take that lightly. I let him stew in whatever it is that’s swirling in that brain of his and return my focus to the map.

When we reach Death Valley, there’s a gas station with a ridiculous gas price, but we have no choice but to fill up here. We’ll be doing a lot of driving throughout the park during the course of the next two days. The bonus: not only do I find a Red Bull in the cooler section of the food mart, but I find my favorite pumpkin beer too. And even though they want about a trillion dollars for a twelve-pack, I splurge for it.

I get back to the Jeep, climb in, and hold up my finds for Maverick like I just bought a winning lottery ticket.

He smiles. “Nice. And pumpkin, huh? Solid choice.”

“Here.” I hand him a Red Bull, and he takes it appreciatively.

“Thanks.” He winks at me, and dammit if it doesn’t send a thrumming shooting through my core.

He needs to stop being so... Maverick. So deliciously tempting. And adorable while being gorgeous at the same time. I need to see him as strictly eye candy. Nothing more.

“I figured we could stop and get out at the sand dunes first, and if there’s time, we can stop at another viewpoint before heading to our campground. We still haven’t had the chance to roast s’mores.”

“Campfire, s’mores, and pumpkin beer. Ahh, sounds like the perfect night,” I say, smiling.

He shoots me a look that’s all dark and heated and has me squeezing my thighs together. “You, me, and a twelve-pack of beer sound like trouble.”

If that’s true, I’ve never wanted trouble more in my life.

CHAPTER14

Maverick

Jones

Hey fucker!

Which park are you at today?

Got a date tonight. Can I borrow your apartment?

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