Page 97 of Falling Stars

He smiles. “We gotta make our fans happy.”

Laughing, I push up on my toes and press my lips to his.

It’s not homecoming or prom, but this moment still feels pretty damn good.

After a great dinner with the Walkers, Mav and I walk hand in hand back to the salon to pick up Leo. But when we get there, the lights are off, and the doors are locked.

“I thought you said Leo was here with Vera,” Mav says with a frown.

“Yeah, she’s supposed to be here.” I whip out my phone, dial Vera, and put her on speakerphone. She picks up after two rings. “Hey, where are you guys?”

“Didn’t you get my texts? Leo got fussy, so I brought him to the park for some fresh air when I wrapped up my client.”

It’s dark out and chilly, and for some reason, I can tell from down the street that the twinkle lights aren’t on tonight. I’m not sure the park is where I would’ve taken him. “No, I didn’t get them. Hang tight. We’re on our way.”

When I flip to my messages, I don’t have anything new from her. Weird.

As we sprint to the park, I can’t help but think about thatcreeper who left me a note on my car. Is he out there watching? My heart drums wildly in my chest as we cross the street.

There she is. Thank God.

Vera’s sitting on a bench with Leo, who’s playing with his lion rattle in his stroller. She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry, Baylee. I just realized I sent them on messenger instead of a normal text message.”

My phone hates me and won’t show those notifications on the lockscreen. I have to go into the app to see those messages. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you two are all right. Seeing the salon dark had me worried.” In a near panic, but I don’t want to make her feel bad.

I pull Leo out of his stroller and kiss his chubby cheeks. When Mav wraps his arms around both of us, I lean into him and close my eyes.

Here, tucked against this man, is where I feel most safe.

My heart lifts as I think about him singing to me tonight, and for a moment, everything about me and Mav feels right.

But I can’t help but wonder… Are we falling stars, burning bright but destined to crash?

34

MAVERICK

Moonlight streamsin the window of Leo’s nursery. Baylee looks so beautiful, rocking him to sleep.

While I wait for her to put him down, I put her roses in a vase. Ten minutes later, she joins me in the living room. I’ve left all the lights off except one small lamp next to the couch.

“Sorry that took so long,” she says as she sets the monitor down on the counter. “After what happened at the salon, I had to give him extra snuggles.”

Standing, I open my arms to her. When she steps into my embrace, I kiss the top of her head. “Don’t blame you. It freaked me out too. Did you check to see if you got Vera’s messages?”

“They were in messenger like she said they’d be.” Her arms tighten around me. “For a minute, I was afraid something bad happened.”

“But it didn’t. Leo’s fine. Though maybe you should tell Vera not to take him to the park at night.”

She nods. “The park had a weird vibe tonight, didn’t it?”

“When you think your child is missing, anything can seem sinister.” I run my hand down her back.

“I feel like a hypocrite, though, because that’s where I took the baby so I could talk with Sean.”

I lift her chin. “Leo’s your child. It’s okay if you take him places you’re not comfortable with anyone else taking him. Besides, Sean might be a prick sometimes, but I doubt he’d let anything happen to you or Leo.”

“Thanks, I needed to hear that.” We stand in the middle of my condo, holding each other. Then she toys with the button on my shirt with a small smile tilting her lips. “You did the thing you always said you’d never do.”

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