Page 78 of The Cleaner

I aim my own big smile at the windscreen. The woman I love is happy and there are no secrets between us. I have a feeling that it’s going to be smooth sailing from here on out.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

LISA

Four Weeks Later

Maverick's armsslide around my waist as he holds me close. I love how affectionate he is and the fact that he doesn't mind showing it. Even if it's around his family.

I lean back into his embrace, savouring the warmth of his body against mine. It’s been a month since that shit with Tanya happened and it’s been blissful.

"You two lovebirds going to help or just stand there looking cute?" Mary, Callie’s daughter, asks with a roll of her eyes. “You’re worse than Mam and Da.”

I feel the rumble of Maverick's chuckle against my back. "We're providing moral support," he quips.

I turn in his arms to face him, unable to hold back my smile. His eyes are crinkled at the corners, that mischievous gleam I adore lighting them up. "Maybe we should actually help though," I suggest, reluctantly pulling away.

Maverick catches my hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss. "Fine," he sighs dramatically, but the grin on his facebetrays his feigned reluctance. "What do you need us to do, Mary?"

Mary grins. She’s excited that Nichola delegated her to be the one to organise everyone. "Just grab those boxes over there and bring them to the kitchen. We need to sort through the decorations to decorate the house."

I smile. I’m not a huge fan of Christmas, but I have a feeling this year is going to change that. We’re spending Christmas Day with Maverick’s family here at his parents’ house. His uncle Jer, along with Stephen and Jess, and Orna and Devin are also coming. It’s going to be a huge festive spread. I can't help but smile at how quickly I've been embraced by Maverick's family. The warmth and easy banter is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

Usually, I’d spend the evening with Clodagh on Christmas Day but my girl is having a hard time, especially as Emmanuel is around so much. I’m not sure what the hell happened between the two of them, but she can’t deal with it and has run to the West Coast, where she’s currently living in Galway. We still talk every day. It’s just hard not having her around anymore.

We spend the next hour unpacking ornaments, fairy lights, and festive tablecloths. All the while Christmas songs play in the background.

“I know,” Callie says as she sinks down on the sofa. “We should go out on Christmas Eve for dinner.”

Maverick shrugs. “Sure, sounds good.”

Callie wrinkles her nose at him. “I wasn’t talking to you, Amadán,” she mutters. “I was thinking a girls’ night out. What do you say, Lisa?”

I grin. “That does sound good. Who’s going?”

“Well, the two of us. I’m pretty sure Melissa will come, Jessica, Chloe, and Ava,” Callie tells me as she ticks the names off on her fingers.

I nod, excitement bubbling up inside me. "Count me in. It'll be fun to have a night out with the girls. Plus, it'll be nice to get to know everyone better."

Maverick feigns a pout. "What about us men? Are we supposed to sit at home twiddling our thumbs while you ladies paint the town red?"

Callie snorts. "Oh, please. I'm sure you boys can find something to entertain yourselves with for one night. Maybe you can have your own little gathering, seeing as Mam’s offered to babysit all the kids."

Damn, that’s a huge task. There are a whole lot of kids to watch over. Callie has four and Melissa and Danny have three. I’m not sure if anyone else has any, but either way, that’s seven kids.

Mary pipes up from where she's lying on the floor, currently drawing. "Yeah, Dad’s said that he’ll be staying close to Mam. You should join him, Uncle Mav."

Maverick's eyes light up at the suggestion. "You know what? That's not a bad idea. I'll give Stephen and Freddie a call, see if they want to join us."

I can't help but laugh at him.

“You can’t be serious?” Callie hisses. “It’s girls’ night, not bring your partner along night.”

“We’ll be close by, not with you,” Maverick says, rolling his eyes. “You’re so dramatic, Callie-girl.”

"Just promise me you won't get into any trouble," I tease, poking him in the ribs. "I don't want to come back from my night out to find you've all decided to go wild and get picked up by the garda."

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