Page 58 of Grady

“Yeah?”

“What’s going through your head?” Maverick asked.

“Nothing.”

“Yeah, okay.” Maverick moved to the chair and sat down across from him. “Try again.”

Grady shook his head. “I’m not sure I can do this, Maverick.”

“Do what?”

“Savannah—”

“Son of a bitch. You will break her heart. Damn it. What the fuck?”

“You know me, I’m not the settling down type.”

“You’ve been seeing her for a while and now you decide you can’t do this?On her birthday?What the hell is wrong with you?”

Grady shook his head. “I didn’t say I was ending it. I—”

“Just because you’re getting cold feet about being in a serious relationship doesn’t mean you end it. You have to think this through. Damn it, you’re in love with her whether you want to admit it or not,” Maverick snapped.

“I’m scared, damn it,” Grady shouted.

“Hell, we all get scared at the thought of falling in love. If you want to lose the best thing to ever happen to you, then go for it,but just know you’re going to devastate her. If you can’t see that she’s in love with you, then you’re an idiot. You’re the one who kept seeing her. It wasn’t like she begged you to take her out. You’ve been happier than I’ve ever seen you and now you don’t think you can do it. Fucking pussy,” Maverick said, then walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him, making Grady wince, then he heaved a big sigh.

Pushing the chair back, he stood, and walked to the door. Opening it, he saw Maverick striding down the barn’s aisle.

“Maverick,” he yelled. He watched as Maverick took a deep breath, then turned to face him, placing his hands on his hips. Grady walked toward him, then stopped within feet of him. They stared at each other.

“What?” Maverick raised an eyebrow.

Grady sighed. “You’re right. I know you’re right, but I’ve never been here before.”

“There’s a first time for all of us.” Maverick folded his arms. “Tell me this, think about never seeing her again, and tell me how that makes you feel. I’ll wait.”

Grady clenched his jaw as he glared at his friend. “It makes my gut ache.”

“Well, there you go.”

“Damn, you are a pain in my ass,” Grady snapped.

“Maybe, but I made you think. I have work to do.” Maverick turned away from him. “Do not fuck this up, Henderson.”

“Fuck you, Whitacre.” He grinned when he heard Maverick chuckle.

That evening at six-thirty, he opened the door to Savannah. He pulled her inside the house and pressed his lips to hers.

“You smell fantastic,” he said as he put his face against the crook in her neck.

“You always smell good. Speaking of smelling good, what are you cooking?”

“Lasagna. It’s my mom’s recipe.”

“It’s making my stomach growl.”

“Then let’s eat. It’s ready. Oh, wait. Come with me.” He took her hand and led her to the living room. When he flipped on the light, he heard her hiss in a breath, then she looked at him with tears rolling down her cheeks.

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