Page 10 of The Cupcake Cottage

“Anything with four legs doesn’t.”

“How about someone who calls out to you when you come home? You want that? I think it would feel less lonely. Kind of like when you’re a kid and your mom is happy to see that you’re home from school.”

“Well, Ella has that covered.”

This time he laughed. “I really need to look into getting a dog.”

She quirked her head at this insight into Maverick. He was lonely too? She supposed he didn’t keep a girlfriend long enough to fill the void.

“You can tell your dog anything and they won’t judge you for it.”

“Sold!” he exclaimed, raising an arm like he was at an auction. “I’m away a lot though. That could be a problem.”

They were silent for a moment.

“I need a human,” Daisy-Mae said. “Meals, road trips… Someone to lean against while watching TV.”

“That sounds pretty nice. It’s hard to find someone you don’t mind in your space.”

Was that why his new ranch outside of town had been declared, unofficially, a woman-free zone? His mom was there frequently, by the sounds of things, but that was it. Myles had tried to explain that it was Maverick’s sanctuary when Daisy-Mae and Karen protested on behalf of womankind when they’d wanted to tag along and see the place. Naturally, it had only made Daisy-Mae even more curious about what had gone on with Maverick and Reanna, and before that, Janie.

Silence stretched between them, pleasant and comfortable. The party was growing louder, and a burst of laughter echoed across the yard.

“You know, most people date a little longer than sixteen months before getting married,” Maverick pointed out, resting an elbow on the fence, looking at Daisy-Mae.

“No, they don’t.”

“Okay, true. But these two were as good as engaged after four months of dating.”

“I can’t imagine being engaged in four months from now. There are literally no contenders.”

“None? You lie.”

“I do not!”

“You’re smart, kind, gorgeous, sassy, and fun. You have men lined up waiting for you to notice them.”

She snorted.

“Daisy-Mae,” he said, his tone serious, “you have a full NHL team roster waiting to date you.”

“A roster full of flirts, you mean?” She crossed her arms. “Because not a soul has asked me out.”

Maverick looked away with a hint of guilt. “Yeah, that’s strange.”

“Anyway, I need someone who’ll love me just the way I am. No changes required.”

“It really shouldn’t be difficult. People get married all the time. It’s easy.”

“Then why aren’t you hitched to some power-babe?” she retorted.

“I will if you will.”

“With you?”

Maverick clinked his beer bottle against hers. “You just called shotgun on me. Congratulations. There’ll be a prenup on your desk by Monday morning. You do have a desk now, right?”

She pulled her beer away from his and gave him a scowl that was difficult to master thanks to the giant smile that kept slipping out. “You think you’re so funny.”

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