Page 87 of The Promises We Break

I pause, debating if I should share the details with him, but decide on waiting until we’re together and I can formulate my words and thoughts better.

“Totally. I just needed another day to work through some family stuff.” It’s not far from the truth.

“Good, I’m glad to hear that, because Daddy Maverick has been working hard and everything is ready for you to come home.”

I giggle at his self given Top Gun nickname. “Cruz Thomas,” I call him by his full name, as if to scold him, “you only call yourself Daddy Maverick after a night of actuallybeingdaddy Maverick. Are you staying out of trouble?”

“Of course not. Why would I do that?” He starts to tell me astory, but I flash back to him saying everything was ready for me to come home.

“Wait. What do you mean, everything is ready?” I interrupt him and grab my leggings, stepping into them, pulling them over my hips.

“Fine. I guess I’ll finish that story later, miss interrupter of the year. The final delivery arrived early on Saturday, and I had the team work over the weekend getting the rooms finished. The city just came and signed off on it… on everything.” I can hear his smug ass smile through the speaker.

“Are you kidding me? And I missed it!?” I squeal.

“Don’t freak out. It’s not like you missed the birth of your first born or something.”

“Yes, yes, this is just like that, Cruz.” His analogy is an accurate one.

I rip my newly purchased Green Day shirt over my head, battling my conflicting emotions. Angry I missed the final sign off, but freaking the hell out that everything is ready.

“Well, I couldn’t turn him away when he was here, so… Surprise, it’s official!” he sing-songs.

“Oh my god.” Picking up the phone, I take it off speaker and put the phone up to my ear. “I can’t believe it,” I breathe into the phone.

“I know, it’s crazy. You should be so freaking proud of yourself.”

I can’t help but smile. My heart is beating out of my chest. I’m frantic, pacing back and forth, like I don’t know what to do with myself.

Using my shoulder to hold the phone, I grab my hair, wrapping it around my hand and into a messy bun on my head.

“Teamwork, my friend. Amazingly perfect teamwork,” I tell Cruz.

“Oh, I know.” He doesn’t hesitate. “So, Christian wants a meeting with the entire team. You’re back tomorrow?”

“Yes, we fly back later today, so I’ll be back in the office tomorrow.” And I can’t wait.

There will be a few outstanding things we’ll need to get done, but knowing the club is officially signed off on and we can open… I can’t believe it. I’m bouncing as I’m pacing around the room.

“Perfect. I’ll plug it in your calendar. Also, we have a morning coffee meeting because Daddy Maverick met someone over the weekend that I need to give you all the details on, and I think I’ll need to test out one of the rooms before we open.” I blush at the comment, and a rush of excitement hits my core at the memory of Elena, Christian, and Jake.

“Cruz…” I warn, because it might appear to be a question from Cruz, but Daddy Maverick does what he wants.

“See you mañana!” He hangs up before I can tell him no, so he can break the rules without guilt. I shake my head and smile as I plop the phone down on the bed.

I can’t believe it. My excitement is overwhelming and my mind is racing with all the things we need to do for the opening.

I can’t wait to tell Hudson.

I slip my feet into flip-flops and race downstairs.

“Hudson, the city signed off on the club! XConnect Live is going to open for business!” I exaggerate the last part excitedly with my arms in the air, gyrating my hips as I turn the corner into the kitchen.

I stop dead in my tracks and my smile falls. Hudson’s jaw is tense and his fists are clenched as he stands in front of Henry, engrossed in a competitive stare-down. Henry, not nearly as menacing, turns to look at me, donning the usual arrogant smile he wears.

“XConnect has a club now?”

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