Page 105 of Falling Stars

“Please.”

He gives me a strange smile, and I head off to get our drinks.I expect him to take a while, but he joins me when I’m still at the counter. “That was fast.”

“Yup.” When we sit, he hands me my bags. “There’s something small on top. You should get it out and tuck it in your purse.”

I open the shopping bag and reach in and pull out the gold jewelry. “Maverick, you shouldn’t have.”

“Baylee, I absolutely had to.”

I hold the necklace up. But it’s not the simple one he showed me earlier. This one has a little gold bee medallion dangling at the end. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Put it on.”

Smiling, I nod. “Will you help me?”

I hand him the necklace and hold up my hair. His hands come around, and he drapes it across my neck before he leans close and nibbles the soft skin just under my ear. “Perfection.”

Giggling, I pull away. “That tickles.”

Then he hands me the earrings. “These too. Come on.”

“You’re spoiling me. If you keep doing this, I’ll be insufferable, always wanting pretty things.”

He gives me a crooked grin as he tucks my hair behind my ear. “And it will be my pleasure to get you those pretty things.”

I model my stunning new jewelry. “Thank you, Maverick. I feel like a queen.”

“Love you, pretty girl.”

I’ll never get tired of hearing that. “I love you too.” I weave our fingers together and lean over to kiss him.

I want to enjoy our afternoon, but behind our smiles and laughter, I hear the ticking of a clock because we only have two weeks left.

37

MAVERICK

As I pullup to my old high school in Baylee’s car, my phone rings. “Vale Security” flashes on the screen.

“Hey, Eddie. Thanks for getting back to me.”

“Sorry we’ve been playing phone tag. Listen, I’d love to help your girlfriend, but we’re booked solid through the month.”

Damn. Vale Security installs security for NFL teams and executives, so I’m not surprised they’re booked, but I can’t leave Baylee defenseless. “What if my brothers and I install the cameras? Could you stop by and check Baylee’s system and let me know how we can refine it?” Because I’m not sure how I can get on that flight to New York without Baylee. Leaving her feels like my heart is being ripped out. If she has a great security system, at least I’ll know she’s safe.

“I might be able to work in a consultation.”

“Put us down for that and then pencil us in for a follow-up appointment in case she needs additional systems put in place. I won’t be able to sleep at night if I think Baylee might be in danger. This asshole has given her nightmares.”

“Any idea who might have it out for her?”

I scrub my face with the palm of my hand. “My best guess isa rival salon. One of those women is always talking trash whenever she walks by, but I can’t say for sure.”

The soonest he can stop by is a few days after my flight. It’s better than nothing. We’ll install the cameras before I go.

I try to shake off the anxiety of that call as I walk into my old high school. It smells like cleaning agent mixed with textbooks, dirty teens, and nacho cheese.

It’s funny how a smell can take you back to a different time.

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